Services
Physiotherapy includes a range of treatments.
Massage and Stretching
As a therapist there is no substitute for the use of your hands and the information contact with the animal provides you with. Massage is the manipulation and mobilisation of soft tissue of the body. Massage is a broad term which covers many techniques including; effleurage, petrissage, kneading, tapotment, friction, trigger point therapy and myofascial release. Each technique designed to target tissues in a different way; during a massage always feel free to ask the physio how the technique is affecting the tissues which they are working on. Massage not only interacts with and treats the tissues of the body it also relaxes the animal; animals like many people enjoy a good massage.
The benefits of massage include –
~ Promotes relaxation
~ Enhances venous and lymphatic flow, increasing circulation providing the soft tissues with more oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products from them to promote healthy soft tissues
~ Stimulate muscles
~ Breaks down adhesions and scar tissue
~ Releases tension, spasm and soreness, reducing pain
~ Influences deep into tissues
Stretching both passive and active is a both a way for your physio to evaluation and to treat. Stretching has many benefits including –
~ Relaxation and reduction of tension and stiffness
~ Increased circulation; increasing oxygen levels and nutrients reaching the tissues and joints
~ Improved elasticity of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules
~ Improved co-ordination and proprioception
~ Increased flexibility and joint range of movement.
It is likely you will be taught how to perform some stretches with your animal so you can work on those together following the treatment.
Owner Laura Bannister
Owner Molly Murray
Owner Laura Bannister
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is therapy using light; in physiotherapy we use red/infrared light and blue light.
Benefits include –
~ Release of endorphins (happy hormones) to encourage relaxation
~ Increased proliferation of cells essential for tissue repairIncreased vasodilation at capillary level
~ Accelerated collagen synthesis just below skin level
~ Stimulates epithelial cells to reduce scar tissue and help prevent proud flesh
~ Antibacterial affect, inhibits bacterial proliferation and reduces contamination on fresh wounds, aides treatment of bacterial infections
Owner Molly Murray
Owner Chris Thrope
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to produce heat and cavitation in the targeted tissue, producing many benefits including –
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Increased blood supply promoting healing
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Pain killing effect that can reduce muscle spasm and promote normal function
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Softens fibrous and scar tissue which are formed during healing
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Aids the breakdown of adhesions
Used for –
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soft tissue, tendon and ligament injuries
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sore, tight and painful muscles
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contracted tendons
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scar tissue
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breaking down adhesions
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increasing muscle elasticity
Owner Claire Spence
Owner Sue Vasey
Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy
All cells are electrochemical, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMF) uses a pulsing electromagnetic field to interact with the body at a cellular level by re-establishing the electrical charges around the cells helping to provide the optimum conditions for healing.
It has a vast number of uses including
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Aiding fracture repair
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Chronic conditions –
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Muscle, tendon, ligament and joint injuries
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Reduction of oedema, haematoma, bruising and chronic inflammation
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Reduction of joint inflammation and secondary inflammation due to osteoarthritis
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Acute conditions
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Muscle, ligament, tendon and joint injuries
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Controls the formation of oedema, haematoma, bruising and acute inflammation
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Pain relief
Owner Molly Murray
Owner Molly Murray
Electrostimulation
In electrostimulation a pulsed current passes into tissues via transcutaneous electrodes.
Uses include -
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Strengthening atrophied or potentially atrophied muscle as a result of disuse due to injury to the muscle, nerve, joint or bone.
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Pain relief
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Open and closed wounds
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Strengthening muscle in healthy patients
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Re-education of muscles
Owner Molly Murray
Owner Mary Davison
Owner Carol Jewison
Owner Molly Murray
Exercise and Rehab Prescription
The physio appointment and treatment I give is only part of physiotherapy, after treatment a range of advice will be given to you of exercises and techniques you can continue with your animal between my visits. Continued physiotherapy produces the best results.