Services

Veterinary Physiotherapy utilises a multitude of techniques, modalities and therapeutic interventions.

Learn more about the services we offer and the benefits below:

Manual Therapies:

  • Lymphatic massage is a specialised lymphatic technique that focuses on gently manually stimulating the lymphatic system. It promotes movement of lymph fluid away from areas that are comprised following the bodies lymph vessels aiding in removal of toxins, waste products and excess fluid from the tissues. By increasing lymphatic circulation it aids in reduction of swelling, oedema and inflammation. This enhances tissue healing and reduces recovery time after an injury or surgery, while enhancing mobility and comfort. It is of course also integral for cases of lymphedema.

    Lymphatic massage also enhances blood circulation and promotes relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Regular lymphatic massage supports the body's natural detoxification process, assisting immune function and the body's natural healing process.

  • Therapeutic massage is the application of controlled targeted pressure, and manipulation to the soft tissues of the body to elicit improvements in health and healing. It benefits animals recovering from surgery or injury by reducing inflammation and muscular tension, increasing circulation and improving muscular tone while also reducing scar tissue formation.

    It can also address compensatory strain and soreness. This all aids in a more effective recovery process. When used as part of maintenance regime it improves muscular tone and addresses any imbalances or tightness before they can lead to injury. Due to the increase in local circulation it assists in a faster muscular recovery after exercise or competition. Proving it to be an invaluable tool for sporting and working animals.

    Therapeutic massage offers a non invasive approach to assist in pain management. Regular massage also increases flexibility, mobility and improves coordination and proprioception. As massage encourages the body to release feel good hormones that promote relaxation, it is generally very well tolerated by most animals.

  • Trigger point massage is a specialised massage technique used to target small, specific areas of muscular tightness and hypersensitivity often called ‘trigger points’. It aims to release muscular tension, release adhesions, improve muscle tone, reduce sensitivity and pain. Trigger point massage is effective for addressing musculoskeletal issues such as muscular strains, spasms and excess scar tissue, while overall it helps to increase range of motion and flexibility. It is particularly useful in cases of repetitive strain injuries, postural issues or chronic pain disorders.

  • Myofascial release/massage is a specialised technique that targets the fascia, which is a connective tissue that surrounds and supports every structure within the body. Fascial restrictions can be very painful and cause significant restrictions to the movement of muscles and joints.

    Myofascial release reduces tissue adhesions while rehydrating and restoring optimal tissue mobility. It can help to alleviate pain associated with many musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscular tears and strains. It helps to increase flexibility, improve range of motion and posture which can be particularly useful for sporting animals or those with heavy workloads.

  • Joint mobilisations are targeted deliberate manipulations of joint structures, aiming to restore a normal range of motion and optimise overall joint health and function. This occurs through gentle but precise movements to the joints, alleviating pain and stiffness while also promoting tissue healing by improving circulation and synovial fluid production, which also aids in a reduction of inflammation.

    Regular joint mobilisations can reduce the development of scar tissue and by enhancing the biomechanics of the joint can improve joint integrity, thus reducing the risk of injury or re-injury.

  • Therapeutic stretches are targeted and controlled stretching techniques applied to the body and targeted muscle groups to reduce areas of restriction and pain. They aim to improve both muscular flexibility and joint mobility, while improving overall musculoskeletal function of the area.

    Targeted stretching enhances circulation, facilitating an improved supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, enhancing the healing process and reducing inflammation. Regular stretching can reduce the risk of injury as generally the more flexible the muscle and surrounding tissues are the better they take strain and pressure as there will be some natural give. Therapeutic stretching also aids in improved muscular balance and posture.

Electotherapeutic Modalities & Electrophysical Agents:

  • Laser therapy also known as LLLT (low level laser therapy) or photobiomodulation, utilises specific focused light wavelengths to stimulate biochemical changes to cells. This enhances cellular function and promotes tissue regeneration. Laser therapy is highly regarded in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, it provides pain relief, reduces inflammation, improves blood circulation and can improve nerve function via regeneration.

    Within the medical field it has been suggested advantageous for the following:

    -Pain management

    -Tendon and ligament injuries

    -Acceleration and improvement of healing after an injury or surgery

    -It stimulates wound/skin healing and reduces scar tissue formation

    -It helps in the management of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia

    A huge advantage of laser therapy is its non-invasive nature, it provides a safe and painless alternative to many traditional treatments.

  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy also known as PEMF, has been observed to have extremely positive clinical effects as a non-invasive treatment for not only humans but also animals. PEMF applies an intermittent current pulse-generated magnetic field to tissues using pulse repetition, the electromagnetic field stimulates cellular activity; alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, improving circulation and enhancing tissue repair.

    It’s particularly beneficial alongside veterinary intervention for the treatment/management of the following conditions:

    -Bone fractures, delayed union or nonunion fractures

    -Osteoarthritis (OA)

    -Osteoporosis

    -Intervertebral disc disease

    -Peripheral nerve injuries

    -Post surgical recovery - especially for neurological or orthopaedic surgeries.

    PEMF is also acknowledged for its stress relieving properties, this coupled with the fact that it requires little adjustment once applied and set up, makes it a hugely beneficial rehab tool for nervous and anxious animals.

  • Neuromuscular, electrical stimulation commonly known as NMES, uses an electrical stimulation device that sends electrical currents to nerves within the muscle which causes that muscle to contract. NMES enhances circulation, prevents muscle atrophy (muscle wastage), improves muscular strength and mass, aids in neuromuscular re-education and improves range of motion.

    It is highly beneficial for many conditions involving atrophy, muscles weakness or dysfunction, such as arthritis. It’s also highly effective in the prevention of muscle atrophy after surgery or when a limb or area of the body has to be immobilised for a period of time. In athletic individuals it’s often used for faster muscle recovery, and performance enhancement as when paired with a suitable exercise regime, it has been shown to increase muscular strength and mass further than exercise alone.

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation commonly known as TENS, uses an electrical stimulation device that creates mild electrical currents that stimulate the nerves, this disrupts the signalling and pain signals to the body thus reducing pain. It’s highly beneficial to alleviate acute and chronic pain associated with many conditions such as arthritis, nerve related pain and many musculoskeletal conditions. It’s particularly useful in cases where owners’/animals want/need a drug free option to pain relief or for cases of nerve related pain.

Thermotherapy & Cyrotherapy:

  • Thermotherapy commonly known as heat therapy, utilises the application of a heated stimulus to target areas of the body, alleviating muscular tension and promoting relaxation. Heat therapy increases circulation which aids in a better delivery of nutrients and oxygen to to the muscle as well as the improved flushing of toxins due to improved blood flow, this all helps injured or fatigued muscle repair more effectively. Heat therapy is often beneficial for muscular contractures and joint stiffness. It can also assist in increasing flexibility and range of motion in geriatric patients.

  • Cryotherapy commonly known as cold therapy, utilises the application of a cold stimulus to targeted areas of the body reducing blood flow and nerve activity, aiming to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. This is particularly useful in acute and sub acute injuries and post surgery. It can also be used to decrease muscular discomfort after reintroduction to exercise after a period of time off.

Rehabilitation Plans:

  • A professionally tailored rehabilitation plan ensures a targeted and systematic approach, addressing the specific needs of each individual animal. Veterinary physiotherapists utilise a multitude of techniques, exercises, modalities and therapeutic interventions that can address the individual challenges presented by numerous conditions, diseases or injuries.

    The individual approach created by a suitable professional ensures optimal recovery, reducing the risk of complications during the healing process. This is due to a holistic approach taking into account; species, breed, medical history, current lifestyle, environment, overall health and goals for recovery. In addition, the ongoing guidance, monitoring and regular adjustments mean the rehabilitation plan evolves and adapts with the patients unique progress. The professional guidance provided to owners fosters a collaborative approach optimising the animal’s healing, thus also overall health and well-being.

Remedial Exercises:

  • Remedial exercises are exercises that are specifically designed and utilised in certain ways to elicit a particular response from the body, or particular areas of the body to promote healing, strength and fitness.

    Remedial exercises play a crucial role in veterinary physiotherapy for several reasons:

    -They address any specific weaknesses or imbalances in the body. By targeting these areas of weakness the exercises enhance performance and promote better movement patterns by improving posture, balance and alignment.

    -They aid in recovery from injury and surgery by helping to strengthen supporting musclo-structure, facilitating a more effective recovery process.

    -They can be used to target postural deviations and compensatory movement patterns caused by previous injury, surgery, chronic conditions or incorrect movement patterns. This all aids in reduction of pain and discomfort while also increasing strength, creating freer movement.

    -They can be used to create targeted plans to enhance mobility, flexibility, strength, proprioception and balance. All improving athletic ability and physical function.

    -Remedial exercises are crucial in weight management and can assist weight loss in overweight animals.

    -They can be used to enhance cardiovascular fitness, promoting better health.

    The implementation of remedial exercises into veterinary physiotherapeutic treatment significantly improves rehabilitation outcomes and promotes a faster and more effective recovery. Additionally they enhance the bond between owners and their animals as these need to be completed together.

Sports & Athletic Performance Plans:

  • Hiring a veterinary physiotherapist to create suitable sports performance plans can offer significant benefits. Veterinary physiotherapists have a highly in-depth and specialised knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy and physiology, enabling uniquely tailored plans to optimise athletic performance, while minimising the risk of injury.

    Regular assessments and monitoring also means that any areas of imbalance, weakness or dysfunction are picked up early on allowing for personalised targeted interventions to be implemented to improve strength, flexibility and efficiency of movement thus reducing risk of injury. It also means that valuable guidance can be given for injury prevention strategies, and any rehabilitation and recovery protocols can be implemented immediately if an injury or accident is to occur. This insures that sporting animals remain in peak physical condition throughout their competitive career and beyond.

    Another benefit is that veterinary physiotherapists often collaborate very closely with coaches, veterinarians and trainers, which can help to develop a comprehensive performance plan to promote long-term health and well-being, while also maximising the animals athletic potential.