| Veterinary
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy
has long been established in the field of human medicine and
more recently the benefits have been seen in veterinary medicine.
VP plays an important role in the management of musculoskeletal
injuries (eg. strains, sprains, tendonitis, hypomobility,
muscle weakness etc), gait abnormalities (eg. Lameness, asymmetry),
joint injuries (contractures, arthritis), pain management,
post surgical recovery (orthopedic, neurological), disc disease
(pain, paresis), wound healing, performance problems in the
equine and canine athlete and many more besides. Through the
use of a range of therapeutic treatment modalities to include
soft tissue mobilisation, pulsed magnetic field therapy, ultrasound
therapy, phototherapy, TENS, muscle stimulation, therapeutic
exercise and rehabilitation programmes, a range of benefits
can be achieved. Such benefits include improved function and
quality of movement, reduction of pain, increased range of
motion, strength, endurance and performance, injury prevention
and an overall improved quality of life.
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TENS
– Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
TENS is a non invasive therapeutic modality used to
treat most types of pain where a cause has been determined.
(eg. Arthritis) When using TENS electrodes are placed
on the body surface which deliver electrical impulses
to the nerve fibres underneath the surface of the skin.
These impulses block pain signals which are being sent
to the brain via the peripheral nervous system and spinal
cord thereby providing pain relief. Endorphin release
is also stimulated which is the body’s own pain
relieving mechanism.
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PMFT
- Pulsed Magnetic field therapy
PMFT can aid the natural repair process in both acute
and chronic injuries and is therefore used to treat
a wide range of injuries.
PMFT can aid dispersal of bruising, help reduce swelling
and inflammation, can increase circulation, can assist
in the healing of sutured wounds, can reduce lactic
acid build up, it can aid ligament healing and prevent
adhesions where necessary, it can decrease pain and
can also assist the healing of non-union fractures to
name but a few.
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PMFT
is non invasive and is a pain free form of therapy which
is well tolerated by humans and animals alike.
It is based on the principle that all living cells possess
membrane potentials between their inner and outer membranes
which can be disrupted in damaged cells. When the potential
alters when damage occurs, fluid is attracted into the
interstitial area and swelling ensues. Research has
shown that PMFT
can accelerate restoration of normal membrane potentials
to better aid healing. |
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Phototherapy (Laser therapy)
The use of phototherapy or Laser therapy to which
it is often referred creates a photobiological effect
in the body. Photons which are packages of light energy
enter tissue and the energy is dispersed into that
tissue which stimulates the body into beneficial reactions.
Vasodilation of capillaries occurs as does increased
transfer of nutrients into cells and stimulation of
epithelial cells.
As
a result of these changes repair of injuries, wounds,
bruises and other lesions is improved.
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Examples
of cases which can be treated using phototherapy include
bruises, wounds – both infected and non-infected,
burns and scarring, injuries to soft tissue, pressure
sores and pain relief can also be achieved.
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Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic
ultrasound has been a popular modality for many years
now and is based on the application of sound waves to
the body to create a therapeutic effect through both
thermal and non-thermal means. Conditions commonly treated
with ultrasound include soft tissue sports injuries,
chronic arthritis, scar tissue etc.
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Neuromuscular stimulation
Muscular and neurological stimulation can be achieved
using the veterinary H-wave machine. A unique waveform
replicates the natural nerve signal produced by the
body which is beneficial for a comfortable but effective
treatment for soft tissue injuries. High frequency
H-wave stimulation can be used as a method of pain
control and in addition a low frequency setting can
be used to produce muscle contractions which in turn
increase blood and lymph flow to aid the healing process.
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