Exercise Presciption

Specific exercises can be used to strenghten, improve joint mobility or encourage loading of limbs. These can include walking over obstacles such as poles, weaving around cones, using inclines, steps or stairs to change their centre of gravity or loading, or using unstable surfaces such as wobble cushions and gym balls to improve joint and core stability. These exercises can be gradually progressed as improvements are made to ensure your dog achieves their rehabilitation potential.



Sports Conditioning

Advice can be given to athletes that participate in sports such as agility and flyball. This can inlcude developing individual warm-up/cool-down programmes, stretching regimes and core stability exercises that will ensure they remain at their peak level of fitness and assist in injury prevention.

 

Hydrotherapy

If deemed appropriate for your pet's condition onwards referral to a suitably qualified local hydrotherapy centre can be arranged.



 

Initial Assessment

Performed in your home environment this includes a discussion to gain a full history of the condition, any specific issues you may have noticed, and around the home environment and current and previous exercise regimes. Then there will be an assessment of how your pet moves at various speeds, gait patterns and directions. A hands on assessment will then identify any areas of pain, joint stiffness, swelling, spasm or abdnormalities. This will allow me to target the key areas that need addressing using the following treatment choices.

 

Electrotherapy

Equipment used in human physio can also be applied to animals. This can include pulsed electro-magnetic energy, laser therapy, transcutaneous electrical neurostimulations (TENS), neuromuscular stimulation or various others. The aim of electrotherapy can be to reduce pain, increase the rate of the healing

process, or to increase muscle activation. A full explanation of any treatment used will be given before use.

 

Manual Techniques

As with humans joints can become stiff, muscles and soft tissues can become shortened and pain can be present due to muscle spasm. Manual techniques can help to resolve these problems. They can include passive stretches, joint mobilisations, soft tissue massage, trigger point release and myofascial release.