Importance of Physiotherapy in Veterinary Practice
Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, has gained significant importance in the field of veterinary medicine. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the health and well-being of animals, promoting their recovery from injuries, and improving their overall quality of life. Just as humans benefit from physical therapy, animals, too, experience various ailments and injuries that can be alleviated through targeted therapeutic interventions. In this essay, we will explore the importance of physiotherapy in veterinary practice, highlighting its role in rehabilitation, pain management, and the holistic approach to animal healthcare.
Physiotherapy is techniques in which to increase the mobility with enhances the functional activity of joint & muscles in animals. Its main aim to reduce pain, fast recovery from any surgery, reduce the age-related diseases. Physiotherapy also reduces stress and improve better life of animals. Among this, physiotherapy mostly used pet animals such as dog and cat; it can also be applied horse, rabbit and other animals. Physiotherapy most commonly used in human being.
Objectives of Physiotherapy
The main objectives of physiotherapy are relief pain, enhance the healing process, increase muscle strength and joint flexibility, promote and restore normal movement patterns, reduce the cardiac disorders.
Techniques: – different techniques of physiotherapy used in animal especially in canine. Each technique having own benefits and disadvantages. All techniques of physiotherapy are not useful for each condition. For example; for orthopaedic condition thermotherapy (heat), cryotherapy (ice), hydrotherapy (water), muscle exercises, electrical stimulation and coordination exercises are used. Whereas, coordination exercises, muscle exercises electrical stimulation and hydrotherapy for the useful in neurological conditions. While, in case of surgical repairs and traumatic injuries treated with heat therapy, cryotherapy, massage, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy.
Indications:- Acute injuries, chronic injuries, relieving pain, improve joint movement, provide complete recovery of injured & inflammed neurologic and musculoskeletal tissues, control of shortening of muscles due to disuse, improve function of weak & paralyzed limbs, preventing soft tissue contracture & fibrosis, treat laminitis, reduce oedema, speedy healing of open & closed wounds.
TYPES OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
- Massage
- Thermotherapy
- · Exercise
- Therapeutic exercise
- Balance exercise
- Passive Range of Motion(PROM) & Stretching
- Hydrotherapy
- Electrotherapy
- Diathermy
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Laser therapy
- Infrared therapy
- Acupuncture
Massage: It is used to relieve from tension in muscles and promotes the muscle development. Massage helps to increase the blood flow to the injured area, thus, enhances the recovery from injuries and surgery and also useful relieving from muscle spasms. Massage is used widely in canine physical therapy and can be helpful in improving the comfort of animals affected by nearly all medical conditions. Indications:-Race warm-up/recovery, maintain articular mobility, reduce muscle stiffness/contractures.
Types of massage:-
Relaxation Massage- promotes general relaxation, increase circulations and relieves muscular tensions
Remedial Massage – it help in return in normal function of injured soft tissues
Sports Massage- to enhance sports performance.
Aromatherapy Massage- Therapeutic properties of essential oils are used.
Digitpressure Massage- it is massage of tissue and organ with help using thumb and finger pressure.
Oriental Massage-acupressure
Shiatsu Massage- combination of pressure and assisted stretching techniques.
Thermotherapy
Heat Therapy:
Indications: Best applied in acute inflammation, reducing muscle spasm & pain due to musculoskeletal injuries, to enhance joint & tendon mobility, enhancing the healing response related to soft tissue injuries. Heat had been used in traditional period; it is useful in acute and chronic conditions. In canine practice, superficial forms of heating (including hot packs and bathing) are the simplest and most practical to use. They penetrate to a depth of 1 to 2 cm, and are particularly useful in subacute and chronic conditions to relieve pain, and as a prequel to passive movements, stretching or exercise. Deeper forms of heating using electrotherapy modalities such as ultrasound should only used by experienced person.
Cold Therapy:
Indication: it is advised in acute and hyperacute injuries, particularly effective during the first 24-48hrs. after injury.
Technique: it is done by using ice packs, applications of volatile liquids and running cold water.
Mechanism: by using cold therapy it cause the constriction of blood vessel lead to diminishing blood circulation to affected area to help reduce the odema and control haemorrhages and relief from pain. Reduced tissue metabolism may inhibit effect of inflammatory mediators, pain, and muscle spasm and enzyme system. Therapeutic effects of cold occur at tissue temperature between 15-190 C. Each application should last 15 to 20 minutes and there should be at least 1-2 hrs. interval between the applications. Cold application is generally combined with compression bandage.
EXERCISE
a. Therapeutic exercise:
Indications: Joint stiffness, Abnormal posture, Spastic paralysis, Orthopaedic problems Methods:
Passive exercise: affected part is grasped between thumb and forefinger and flexion and extension for 10-15 times is done. Active exercise: its comprises the grazing and slow running.
Effects: Mechanical movement of joint & muscles improves venous & lymphatic return. Sensory stimulation by keeping cortical pathways open. Mobility and range of movement of joints can be increased, Balance& coordination with cardiovascular & respiratory capabilities can be improved.
a. Balance exercise: Balance exercises make use of equipment designed to strengthen weak muscles and build up limbs affected by atrophy. This exercise includes wobble boards and balance boards. Balance exercises could be used in animals recovering from surgery and neurological situation. The animal is forced to place weight on the surgical repair, building muscle in the affected area. For example, an animal recovering from a stroke has decreased coordination and balance which can be improved through a physical therapy regime that includes balance exercises.
Passive Range of Motion (PROM) & Stretching:
Passive range of motion (PROM) is accomplished through flexion and extension of the joint to its limits. It is important for the physical therapist not to stretch the joint past its normal limits. PROM is used to encourage animals to use the full range of motion of the joints. This therapy technique can significantly increase an animal’s range of motion and decrease joint pain, improving its quality of life. Place hands above & below the joint & gently flex & extend the joint while supporting the limb. Manipulate joint through pain-free ROM. Slowly flex & extend the joint beyond pain-free ROM to stretch the tissue. Do not force motion beyond comfort level. Hold the stretch for 15-30 sec. Return the joint to normal. Repeat stretch up to 20 times/session. Manipulate all joints of affected limb for maximum benefit. Monitor for pain, active ROM, quality of movement.
Hydrotherapy: it is techniques in which by the use water to improvement of muscle and joint function in small animals. This technique includes swimming and underwater treadmill. In swimming to allow the animal to swim and work several muscles simultaneously. It helps to build up the muscle strength and endurance, also is a technique that minimizes stress on the joints. Underwater treadmill technique more commonly used in animals. It provides the benefits of land exercises while decreasing the weight placed on the animal’s limbs. Underwater treadmill and swimming used successfully in canine for recovery from any surgery like anterior cruciate ligament and cranial cruciate ligament repairs and break repairs.
Electrotherapy: Electrical stimulation techniques uses of electric currents to either stimulate muscles or to relief pain. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used to help improve muscle strength, and motor recruitment.
Diathermy: Application of high-frequency electrical energy, short wave diathermy, used to generate stimulating effect in body tissues, used to bring massaging effects in deeper tissues, renewed interest due to research documenting efficacy heat produced in the tissues .
Therapeutic ultrasound: Ultrasound produces sound waves beyond the capacity of human hearing. For therapy, the frequencies typically used are between 1·0 and 3·0 MHz. Ultrasound can impart both thermal and non-thermal effects to body tissues to depths of 4 cm or more, although the effectiveness of penetration depends on the frequency used and also types of tissue involved. This techniques are more successful during inflammatory, proliferative and repair stages of tissue healing stimulates or improves the normal ways of events, thereby increasing the efficiency of the repair process. It influences the formation of scar tissue by enhancing the orientation of newly establish collagen fibres. It also converted into dominant type I collagen fibre from collagen type III for the increasing tensile strength and enhancing scar mobility. Lowintensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates fracture healing and also benefit of disease related to bones, such as healing fractures process, stress fractures and non-union fractures Laser therapy: A laser is a form of light amplifier that used for therapeutic purposes. Excessive laser light absorb in superficial tissues and produce adverse effects. It also evidences the clinical use of lasers in humans to promote wound healing and relief from pain. Infrared therapy: Indications: Sub acute and chronic traumatic and inflammatory conditions, Traumatic synovitis, tenosynovitis and sprain, Neuralgia, arthritis & rheumatic conditions, acute, sub-acute & chronic catarrhal conditions of mucous membranes and sinusitis, Infection of the skin, folliculate and furunclous.
Technique/Source: it includes the sunlight, low temperature, high temperature and infrared rays are electromagnetic waves.
Mechanism: The infrared stimulates local circulation. Radiant heating causes constriction of capillaries, it leads to release of vasodilator substances which are absorbed. Capillaries are become more active causes to increase the blood circulation at affected area. Infrared ray exposed for short time it leads relief of pain. While, strong heat act as counter irritant to stimulate the nerve endings.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is used to treatment of different nerve and musculoskeletal disorders in animals. It is used to relief from pain and also promotes healing in the affected parts. Various acupuncture points are used in animal and human body for relief from pain.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: After surgeries or orthopedic procedures, animals often require rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and functionality. Physiotherapy helps in restoring and rebuilding muscle and joint function.
- Orthopedic Injuries: Animals, particularly working and athletic dogs and horses, are prone to orthopedic injuries. Physiotherapy aids in the recovery process, reducing pain and inflammation and preventing complications.
- Neurological Conditions: Animals with neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, can benefit from physiotherapy to regain motor function and improve their quality of life.
- Pain Management
Pain Relief: Physiotherapy techniques, such as therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy, help alleviate pain and discomfort in animals suffering from chronic conditions or post-injury.
- Reducing the Need for Medications: By offering non-pharmacological pain management options, physiotherapy can reduce the reliance on pain medications, which can have side effects and may not be suitable for all animals.
- Improving Mobility: Enhanced mobility due to physiotherapy helps animals maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and joint mobility, reducing the risk of pain and discomfort associated with immobility.
III. Holistic Healthcare
- Complementary Approach: Physiotherapy complements other veterinary interventions and treatment modalities, offering a holistic approach to animal healthcare.
- Preventive Care: Physiotherapy is not limited to post-injury or post-surgery care. It can also be used for preventive measures, such as maintaining the health of senior animals and preventing age-related conditions.
- Customized Plans: Physiotherapy is tailored to the specific needs of each animal, taking into account their age, breed, lifestyle, and the nature of their condition.
- Improving the Quality of Life
- Enhancing Mobility: Physiotherapy is instrumental in improving an animal’s ability to walk, run, and play, significantly enhancing their quality of life.
- Maintaining Independence: For animals with mobility issues, physiotherapy can help maintain their independence, enabling them to perform essential tasks like standing, sitting, and even toileting independently.
- Fostering Emotional Well-being: An improved physical state often leads to better emotional well-being, as the animal experiences less pain, gains confidence, and enjoys a higher quality of life.
- Wide Range of Applications
- Small Animals: Physiotherapy is beneficial for dogs, cats, and other small animals suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and post-surgical care.
- Large Animals: Horses, cattle, and other large animals also benefit from physiotherapy, particularly in addressing musculoskeletal issues and enhancing their performance.
- Exotic Animals: Even exotic animals in captivity may require physiotherapy to address mobility issues, recover from surgeries, and maintain their overall health.
Challenges and Considerations
- Specialized Training: Veterinary physiotherapists require specialized training and certification to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their interventions.
- Patient Cooperation: Unlike human patients, animals may not always cooperate during physiotherapy sessions. Skilled professionals must adapt their techniques to suit the animal’s temperament.
- Customization: Every animal is unique, and physiotherapy plans must be customized to meet their specific needs and conditions.
VII. Conclusion
The importance of physiotherapy in veterinary practice cannot be overstated. It is a valuable and complementary component of animal healthcare that contributes to rehabilitation, pain management, and overall well-being. Physiotherapy provides animals with a better quality of life and can be used for a wide range of conditions and species. As the field of veterinary physiotherapy continues to grow and develop, it offers promising avenues for improving the health and happiness of our beloved animal companions, further solidifying its significance in the realm of veterinary medicine.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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Reference-On Request.
