A variety of techniques

Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques to help the patient overcome injury and disease and so get back to normal levels of mobility and function. There is also a preventative aspect to the treatments, because when the body is working well, further damage or injury is less likely.

This programme of healing, pain relief and rehabilitation is aimed at various parts of the body including the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and joints.

Physiotherapy can be used to help the following:

• Spinal conditions such as disc disease
• Lameness problems – at all ages, including those in overweight dogs
• Joint problems including degenerative joint disease and arthritis
• Soft tissue injury, ie to ligaments, tendons and muscles
• Bone fractures
• Neurological conditions such as nerve trauma and spinal cord trauma or disease
• Sports injuries and performance-related difficulties in athletic or working dogs
• Difficulty coping with certain movements such as getting up and down from lying or sitting, going up and down stairs, and reluctance to play or exercise, which can lead to weight and fitness problems

Physiotherapy can also be used:

• Before and after surgery to help the rehabilitation process
• As a preventative measure to minimise the risk of a problem recurring

What does physiotherapy involve?

The vital first step in a physiotherapy treatment plan is the referral from the patient’s own veterinary surgeon. This gives the physiotherapist full details of the condition or injury, and allows the physiotherapist to decide exactly what sort of treatment is necessary.

Physiotherapists who are ACPAT members offer a comprehensive range of skills and therapies. These include:

• Soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation techniques
• Skeletal mobilisation and manipulation techniques
• Myofascial trigger point therapy
• Neurological treatment techniques
• Electrotherapy may include: ultrasound, laser, neuro-muscular stimulation, H-wave therapy, interferential therapy
  Massage

As an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist, Julia’s treatment skills cover all these areas.

It’s important, too, for the physiotherapist to advise on after-care, because maintaining and building on the remedial work carried out during treatment is crucial. In all treatment sessions Julia includes advice on exercise, rehabilitation, home management and handling techniques.

Between every appointment all clinic surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with high level surface antiviral disinfectant.