Treatments
In order to achieve successful and long lasting rehabilitation for your animal, Helen will most often incorporate both electrotherapeutic applications alongside manual techniques within the programme of treatment.
In isolation each approach is an effective therapy, but when combined these techniques can achieve vastly improved outcomes, with significantly reduced incidence of re-injury.
Manual Techniques
Massage
Used to aid mobilisation and manipulation of soft tissue. Massage involves using specific targeted strokes to;
- warm muscles
- increase lymphatic drainage
- as a natural opiate for pain relief
- compression of deeper tissue
- tissue stimulation / increasing muscle tone
- to break down adhesions / scar tissue
- to release muscle spasm
In order to achieve successful and long lasting rehabilitation for your animal, Helen will most often incorporate both electrotherapeutic applications alongside manual techniques within the programme of treatment.
In isolation each approach is an effective therapy, but when combined these techniques can achieve vastly improved outcomes, with significantly reduced incidence of re-injury.
Manual Techniques
Massage
Used to aid mobilisation and manipulation of soft tissue. Massage involves using specific targeted strokes to;
- warm muscles
- increase lymphatic drainage
- as a natural opiate for pain relief
- compression of deeper tissue
- tissue stimulation / increasing muscle tone
- to break down adhesions / scar tissue
- to release muscle spasm
,Other manual techniques used include
- Joint Mobilisation
- Passive Range of Motion Exercises
- Stretches
- Targeted Therapeutic Exercises
Electrotherapeutic Techniques
The electrotherapy tools work at a cellular level on either deep or superficial tissues, aiding the process of repair.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
PEMF can be applied at various settings to achieve different therapeutic outcomes, for example mimicking the piezoelectric effect within bone to attract osteoblasts (new ‘bone laying’ cells) for fracture repair, or accelerating the re-establishment of normal action potentials across damaged cells, to increase the rate of healing.
- pain reduction
- muscle, ligament or tendon healing
- dispersing bruising or reducing swelling.
- fracture repair
- alleviate muscle spasm enabling increased range of movement
- aid nerve regeneration
- Joint Mobilisation
- Passive Range of Motion Exercises
- Stretches
- Targeted Therapeutic Exercises
Electrotherapeutic Techniques
The electrotherapy tools work at a cellular level on either deep or superficial tissues, aiding the process of repair.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
PEMF can be applied at various settings to achieve different therapeutic outcomes, for example mimicking the piezoelectric effect within bone to attract osteoblasts (new ‘bone laying’ cells) for fracture repair, or accelerating the re-establishment of normal action potentials across damaged cells, to increase the rate of healing.
- pain reduction
- muscle, ligament or tendon healing
- dispersing bruising or reducing swelling.
- fracture repair
- alleviate muscle spasm enabling increased range of movement
- aid nerve regeneration
Phototherapy
Phototherapy can be applied as either blue or red light phototherapy to;
- fight superficial infections
- encourage wound healing
- ease muscular tension
Blue light phototherapy on open wounds or skin infections e.g mud fever / rain scald inhibits bacterial proliferation, reducing the chance of infection. It is an excellent approach when cleaning of a wound on an upset / aggressive animal is difficult, as no contact is necessary. Prompt use of blue light at surgical incision sites is useful to reduce both infection and the chance of suture breakdown.
Red light phototherapy increases the proliferation of cells and accelerates collagen synthesis essential for tissue repair, stimulates epithelial cells, releases endorphins, reduces scar tissue and is an invaluable tool to help reduce proud flesh formation, optimising the closure and successful healing of the wound.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a frequently used and effective therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. Depending on the specific settings and treatment times chosen, ultrasound can benefit tissues through both thermal and non thermal effects to;
- Improve the elasticity of muscles
- Enhance healing and remodelling of muscle, tendons, ligaments.
- Break down of scar tissue / adhesions
- Treatment of contracted tendons
- Reduce swelling
- Relieve sore, tight and painful muscles
Phototherapy can be applied as either blue or red light phototherapy to;
- fight superficial infections
- encourage wound healing
- ease muscular tension
Blue light phototherapy on open wounds or skin infections e.g mud fever / rain scald inhibits bacterial proliferation, reducing the chance of infection. It is an excellent approach when cleaning of a wound on an upset / aggressive animal is difficult, as no contact is necessary. Prompt use of blue light at surgical incision sites is useful to reduce both infection and the chance of suture breakdown.
Red light phototherapy increases the proliferation of cells and accelerates collagen synthesis essential for tissue repair, stimulates epithelial cells, releases endorphins, reduces scar tissue and is an invaluable tool to help reduce proud flesh formation, optimising the closure and successful healing of the wound.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a frequently used and effective therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. Depending on the specific settings and treatment times chosen, ultrasound can benefit tissues through both thermal and non thermal effects to;
- Improve the elasticity of muscles
- Enhance healing and remodelling of muscle, tendons, ligaments.
- Break down of scar tissue / adhesions
- Treatment of contracted tendons
- Reduce swelling
- Relieve sore, tight and painful muscles
Electrostimulation
Electrostimulation is most frequently used to build muscle strength in weakened areas which may have arisen due to nerve damage from injury or neurological conditions, or from underused muscles due to immobility from injury or lack of activity. This therapy can also be used in the treatment of pain and helps to promote healing.
- Increases muscle strength
- Re-education of muscle action
- Increase in local blood supply
- Pain relief
Electrostimulation is most frequently used to build muscle strength in weakened areas which may have arisen due to nerve damage from injury or neurological conditions, or from underused muscles due to immobility from injury or lack of activity. This therapy can also be used in the treatment of pain and helps to promote healing.
- Increases muscle strength
- Re-education of muscle action
- Increase in local blood supply
- Pain relief