Canine Physiotherapy Treatment
by Julia Hewitson - Chartered Physiotherapist
For more information visit www.kloofphysio.co.za
What is animal physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy benefits animals in the same way as humans – through the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries (eg to muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints) and various conditions, including post-surgical recovery.
When treating patients, physios work with three systems: the skeletal system (bony structures), the soft tissue (fascia, muscles and ligaments) and the nervous system.
Manual therapy refers to movement techniques applied to these three systems, to manage pain and impairment of joint movement which has caused a loss of normal function. This manual approach is used together with electrotherapy (muscle stimulation, ultrasound, laser) and - very importantly – with rehabilitation exercises for functional retraining.
Treatments outcomes and benefits
Whether it is to increase performance, prevent injury, enhance healing or improve quality of life, correctly applied physiotherapy treatment can achieve remarkable results.
Outcomes include improved joint range of movement, reduced swelling, pain relief and healing, muscle-definition, gait, competency to perform a specific movement/sport activities and a general return to optimal function.
Specific conditions that can benefit from physiotherapy
Examples of musculo-skeletal and neuro-muscular conditions that respond well to physiotherapy include:
§ Spinal conditions: prolapsed disc, vertebral fractures, spondylosis and internally/externally stabilised fractures
§ Soft tissue conditions: tears, sprains, strains of muscle or ligaments, myofascial restriction or damage, muscle imbalances
§ Conditions of the nervous system: damage to the central or peripheral nervous system, paralysis or paresis e.g. stroke, neuropathies, neuropraxia, neuritis, nerve root impingement or neural tethering (restriction of nerve movement within the soft tissue)
§ Orthopaedic conditions (surgical and non-surgical): arthritis, hip dysplasia including femoral head resection or total hip replacement, osteochondritis, cranial cruciate ligament damage or repairs, post fracture repairs (e.g. femur/tibia/humerus/pelvis)
§ Respiratory dysfunction: chest infections, chest traumas
§ Wounds, skin lesions/pressure areas, lick granulomas, burns
§ Non-specific cases: stiffness due to old age and general stiffness as a result of competitive sporting (agility work, field trials and showing)
Physiotherapy benefits animals in the same way as humans – through the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries (eg to muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints) and various conditions, including post-surgical recovery.
When treating patients, physios work with three systems: the skeletal system (bony structures), the soft tissue (fascia, muscles and ligaments) and the nervous system.
Manual therapy refers to movement techniques applied to these three systems, to manage pain and impairment of joint movement which has caused a loss of normal function. This manual approach is used together with electrotherapy (muscle stimulation, ultrasound, laser) and - very importantly – with rehabilitation exercises for functional retraining.
Treatments outcomes and benefits
Whether it is to increase performance, prevent injury, enhance healing or improve quality of life, correctly applied physiotherapy treatment can achieve remarkable results.
Outcomes include improved joint range of movement, reduced swelling, pain relief and healing, muscle-definition, gait, competency to perform a specific movement/sport activities and a general return to optimal function.
Specific conditions that can benefit from physiotherapy
Examples of musculo-skeletal and neuro-muscular conditions that respond well to physiotherapy include:
§ Spinal conditions: prolapsed disc, vertebral fractures, spondylosis and internally/externally stabilised fractures
§ Soft tissue conditions: tears, sprains, strains of muscle or ligaments, myofascial restriction or damage, muscle imbalances
§ Conditions of the nervous system: damage to the central or peripheral nervous system, paralysis or paresis e.g. stroke, neuropathies, neuropraxia, neuritis, nerve root impingement or neural tethering (restriction of nerve movement within the soft tissue)
§ Orthopaedic conditions (surgical and non-surgical): arthritis, hip dysplasia including femoral head resection or total hip replacement, osteochondritis, cranial cruciate ligament damage or repairs, post fracture repairs (e.g. femur/tibia/humerus/pelvis)
§ Respiratory dysfunction: chest infections, chest traumas
§ Wounds, skin lesions/pressure areas, lick granulomas, burns
§ Non-specific cases: stiffness due to old age and general stiffness as a result of competitive sporting (agility work, field trials and showing)
Types of physiotherapy treatments
The physiotherapist’s most valuable tool is their hands, for palpating (feeling) and locating areas of normal and abnormal function.
Based on an initial assessment, a treatment plan will be developed including the treatment techniques below. The assessment and recording of findings will be used to measure and re-evaluate treatment outcomes.
Treatments techniques include
§ manipulative therapies, joint mobilisation techniques and stretching
§ electrotherapies - light and laser therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation
§ strengthening exercise programmes
§ neurological rehabilitation including - proprioceptive re-training ie sensory integration techniques
§ hydrotherapy - rehabilitation in heated water
§ hot and cold therapy
§ immobilisation and proprioceptive taping
§ assessment/measuring for and advise on the use of appropriate orthotic appliances, including splints, walking harnesses and wheels.
§ Advice to owners on how to manage home care and exercise including written protocols; physiotherapists also give advice on adaptations to your animals' environment that will help them perform tasks more easily - especially helpful for elderly animals and those recovering from surgery
Qualifications and protected title
Physiotherapists are medically qualified professionals offering a mainline medical service who also work in close consultation with other medical (eg vets) and paramedical practitioners and therapists. Physio is not an “alternative” therapy.
The first requirement for training for animal physiotherapy is a four-year honours degree obtained from a recognised university in South Africa. Secondly, a minimum of two years clinical human experience is required before being able to treat animals. Physios have specific training in clinical reasoning and treatment skills based on a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Areas of clinical study include: orthopaedics/rheumatic diseases, neurology, paediatrics, geriatrics, cardiovascular diseases, thoracic and pulmonary conditions, trauma, obstetrics and gynaecology, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation, sports injuries, dermatology, burns and plastic surgical conditions.
The terms physiotherapy, physical therapy and physio are protected professional titles and are reserved for those who hold the above qualifications.
Physiotherapists are required to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The Animal Physiotherapy Group of South Africa (APGSA) is a special interest group under the auspices of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) and all its members hold a recognised qualification in physiotherapy.
Julia Hewitson qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist at Kings College Hospital, London in 1978. Her clinical background and experience includes orthopaedics, neurology, intensive care, treatment of spinal conditions and sports injuries. After moving to Durban she worked in human private practice and ran her own practice for ten years. Animal physiotherapy enables her to combine two passions and led her to establish Kloof Animal Physio where she is able to apply her knowledge and skills to the care of small animals and horses. The first of its kind in KZN, the practice includes a heated hydrotherapy pool for the treatment of dogs recovering from injury or surgery or coping with chronic mobility problems. For the past ten years Julia has been an active member and is a past chairman of the APGSA.
Kloof Physio is located at 8 Valley Road, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal.
Julia Hewitson can be contacted on 031 7674556; 0824952758; [email protected]
The physiotherapist’s most valuable tool is their hands, for palpating (feeling) and locating areas of normal and abnormal function.
Based on an initial assessment, a treatment plan will be developed including the treatment techniques below. The assessment and recording of findings will be used to measure and re-evaluate treatment outcomes.
Treatments techniques include
§ manipulative therapies, joint mobilisation techniques and stretching
§ electrotherapies - light and laser therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation
§ strengthening exercise programmes
§ neurological rehabilitation including - proprioceptive re-training ie sensory integration techniques
§ hydrotherapy - rehabilitation in heated water
§ hot and cold therapy
§ immobilisation and proprioceptive taping
§ assessment/measuring for and advise on the use of appropriate orthotic appliances, including splints, walking harnesses and wheels.
§ Advice to owners on how to manage home care and exercise including written protocols; physiotherapists also give advice on adaptations to your animals' environment that will help them perform tasks more easily - especially helpful for elderly animals and those recovering from surgery
Qualifications and protected title
Physiotherapists are medically qualified professionals offering a mainline medical service who also work in close consultation with other medical (eg vets) and paramedical practitioners and therapists. Physio is not an “alternative” therapy.
The first requirement for training for animal physiotherapy is a four-year honours degree obtained from a recognised university in South Africa. Secondly, a minimum of two years clinical human experience is required before being able to treat animals. Physios have specific training in clinical reasoning and treatment skills based on a thorough knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Areas of clinical study include: orthopaedics/rheumatic diseases, neurology, paediatrics, geriatrics, cardiovascular diseases, thoracic and pulmonary conditions, trauma, obstetrics and gynaecology, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation, sports injuries, dermatology, burns and plastic surgical conditions.
The terms physiotherapy, physical therapy and physio are protected professional titles and are reserved for those who hold the above qualifications.
Physiotherapists are required to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The Animal Physiotherapy Group of South Africa (APGSA) is a special interest group under the auspices of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) and all its members hold a recognised qualification in physiotherapy.
Julia Hewitson qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist at Kings College Hospital, London in 1978. Her clinical background and experience includes orthopaedics, neurology, intensive care, treatment of spinal conditions and sports injuries. After moving to Durban she worked in human private practice and ran her own practice for ten years. Animal physiotherapy enables her to combine two passions and led her to establish Kloof Animal Physio where she is able to apply her knowledge and skills to the care of small animals and horses. The first of its kind in KZN, the practice includes a heated hydrotherapy pool for the treatment of dogs recovering from injury or surgery or coping with chronic mobility problems. For the past ten years Julia has been an active member and is a past chairman of the APGSA.
Kloof Physio is located at 8 Valley Road, Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal.
Julia Hewitson can be contacted on 031 7674556; 0824952758; [email protected]
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