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No Bones About It: Physical Therapy Helps Dogs Too

November 14, 2023 | Industry News
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Physical therapy for dogs, also known as canine or veterinary rehabilitation, is a growing field of treatment that can help dogs with various conditions. Whether your dog has suffered an injury, undergone surgery, or has a chronic condition like arthritis, physical therapy can help!

What is physical therapy for dogs?

Physical therapy for dogs is similar to physical therapy for humans, just with more treats! It uses techniques like exercise, massage, heat and cold therapy, hydrotherapy, laser, ultrasound, and even treadmill therapy to improve your dog’s range of motion, strength, flexibility, and endurance. Just like in humans, the goal is to decrease pain, speed up recovery, and improve your dog’s quality of life.

Physical therapy for dogs is usually performed by a certified canine rehabilitation therapist. These are veterinarians and physical therapists who have undergone extensive training and certification. They will assess your dog’s condition, medical history, and goals, and design a customized treatment plan for your dog.

What do dogs need physical therapy for?

Physical therapy for dogs can treat lots of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis: Physical therapy can help reduce inflammation, stiffness, and pain in your dog’s joints. It can also improve your dog’s mobility and prevent further deterioration of the cartilage.
  • Hip dysplasia: Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around your dog’s hip joint and improve its stability. It can also reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the future.
  • Torn cruciate ligament: Physical therapy can help your dog recover from surgery or avoid surgery altogether. It can help restore your dog’s normal function and prevent muscle atrophy and joint instability.
  • Neurological conditions: Physical therapy can help your dog with conditions that affect the nervous system, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), degenerative myelopathy (DM), or stroke. It can help stimulate nerve function, improve balance and coordination, and prevent muscle wasting.
  • Obesity: Physical therapy can help your dog lose weight and improve its overall health. It can help your dog burn calories, increase metabolism, and reduce the strain on the joints and organs.
  • Sports injuries: Physical therapy can help your dog heal from injuries sustained during activities like agility or flyball. It can help prevent scar tissue formation, enhance performance, and increase body awareness.
  • Physical therapy for dogs is a great way to help your best friend heal from injuries, improve their mobility and fitness, and enhance their quality of life. If you think your dog could benefit from physical therapy, consult with your veterinarian first. They can refer you to a certified canine rehabilitation therapist who can evaluate your dog and create a suitable treatment plan. With physical therapy, you can help your dog live a happier and healthier life.

References:

(1) The Power of Canine Rehabilitation Therapy – American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/the-power-of-canine-rehabilitation-therapy/.

(2) Physical Therapy For Dogs: How Can Canine Rehabilitation Benefit Your …. https://www.caninejournal.com/physical-therapy-for-dogs/.

(3) Dog Rehabilitation – A Detailed Physiotherapy Guide. https://topdogtips.com/dog-rehabilitation-a-detailed-physiotherapy-guide/.

(4) Dog Physical Therapy: Exercises, Modalities, Techniques – TopDog Health. https://topdoghealth.com/what-are-dog-physical-therapy-exercises/.

(5) A Complete Guide to Physical Therapy for Dogs – RocketDog. https://rocketanimalhealth.com/blogs/news/a-complete-guide-to-physical-therapy-for-dogs.

(6) Canine Pelvic Osteotomies Outcomes – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34643966/

(7) Canine hip dysplasia study – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20740258/

(8) Canine Rehabilitation Institute – https://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/

(9) Dog physical therapy exercises – https://www.lakecross.com/site/blog-huntersville-vet/2020/08/12/dogs-physical-therapy-exercises

(10) What can be included in rehab – https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/what-is-veterinary-physical-rehabilitation/

(11) Evidence for canine PT – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25432679/

(12) Select Technique for PT for dogs – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9312226/

(13) Dogs Physical Therapy Exercises | LakeCross Veterinary Hospital. https://www.lakecross.com/site/blog-huntersville-vet/2020/08/12/dogs-physical-therapy-exercises.

(14) Overview of the role of rehabilitation for arthritis. https://caninearthritis.org/article/role-of-rehabilitation-arthritis/.

(15) Pet Rehab. https://www.petrehab.net/.

(16) Advanced Canine Rehab Center – Home. https://www.dogpt.com/.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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