Pawprint Physiotherapy

Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapy

Veterinary physiotherapy is an evidence-based health care profession working closely with the veterinary profession to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment of animals. Research in this field is being performed worldwide and continues to reveal the benefits of physiotherapy on enhancing and optimising your animal’s recovery post injury, limiting the impact of disease processes and improving performance problems.

To become a Chartered Human Physiotherapist, a 3 or 4 year BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree at university is undertaken. Veterinary Physiotherapists are Human Physiotherapists who have a specialist interest in animal physiotherapy. A post graduate training programme must be completed. This may in the form of either:

• A 2 or 3 year postgraduate diploma or masters degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London or Hartpury College, University West of England
• Attending courses and exams run by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT)

The benefits of becoming a human physiotherapist before specialising in the field of veterinary physiotherapy are that clients are able to inform the therapist of where the problem lies, allowing the therapist to feel any related bony or soft tissue changes at the site of injury or pain. They can receive feedback from their human client related to treatment techniques which have been performed. This invaluable experience is important when assessing and coordinating a treatment plan for your animal client with the knowledge that you are not causing any additional pain or unnecessary harm to them.

By law, Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapists who are a member of the ‘Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy’ must obtain veterinary approval to ensure adequate protection of your animal at all times. Your Veterinary Surgeon knows your animal’s history and will consider any medical contraindications to physiotherapy.

Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapists have insurance through their professional body which includes professional and public liability insurance in the treatment of animals.

Common conditions treated by physiotherapy

ORTHOPAEDICS (injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system)

• Osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Fractures
• Lameness
• Spinal dysfunctions
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament injuries (CCL)
• Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE)
• Post surgical rehabilitation
• Patella luxation
• Osteochondrosis Dessicans (OCD)
• Wounds
• Tendon and Ligament sprains
• Muscle tears and strains
• Joint contractures
• Congenital Developmental Disease

NEUROLOGY (diseases and disorders of the nervous system)

• Central and peripheral nerve lesions
• Fibrocartilagenous embolism (FCE)
• Disc conditions
• Spinal cord conditions
• Head injuries
• Neoplasia (spinal tumours)

OTHER

• Performance problems
• Maintenance of high performance (pre and post competition treatments)
• Critically Ill Patient – Respiratory and cardiac conditions

If you would like to discuss a condition that has not been listed above, please contact Diane for a telephone consultation to see whether you animal would be appropriate for a physiotherapy assessment.

Treatment and Rehabilitation Techniques

Soft Tissue mobilisation, myofascial release and trigger point deactivation

• Alleviates or prevents primary and secondary muscle spasm after an acute injury
• Increases joint flexibility and range of movement
• Increases local and general circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Reduces swelling
• Reduces scar tissue formation
• Flush out toxins produced by the muscles in trigger points
• Warm up and cool down muscles pre and post exercise, preventing injury

Joint mobilisations

• Promotes healthier cartilage
• Reduces joint stiffness and increases joint range of movement

Rehabilitation including range of movement, stretching, strengthening and proprioceptive exercises

• Regains joint range of movement
• Improves soft tissue fibre alignment
• Increases muscle length and flexibility by remodelling new tissue post injury
• Improves joint health
• Reduces adhesions
• Improves muscle power
• Improves endurance
• Improves proprioception (joint position sense)
• Improves balance
• Improves performance with the influences of a rider/handler
• Injury prevention in pre and post exercise situations (stretches)

Therapeutic ultrasound

• Accelerates and improves the quality of tissue repair especially tendon and ligament tissue
• Reduces joint pain

LASER (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation)

• Initiates chemical reactions within the tissues to enhance wound healing
• Reduces pain using local or acupuncture points
• Accelerates tissue repair
• Reduces inflammation

Pulsed electromagnetic therapy

• Aids healing and reduces swelling

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

• Mobilises affected muscles (also preventing adhesions)
• Encourages nutrition into effected muscles
• Prevents muscle atrophy
• Rebuilds muscle bulk
• Strengthens and re-educates weak muscles
• Reduces oedema

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

• Therapeutic electrical current blocks the pain signals to the brain via the spinal cord

Splinting

• Supports or immobilises acutely injured joints to prevent further injury and allow early stages of tissue healing to occur
• Improve joint range of movement with sustained stretch of soft tissues
• Protects joints where there are neurological deficits i.e. knuckling

Insurance

Many pet insurance providers recognise the role of physiotherapy within you animal care. Please check you policies as your provider may cover the cost of physiotherapy.