5 Types of Dog Rehab Equipment

The right dog rehab equipment can make all the difference in your dog’s recovery. Veterinary physical therapists use it to help patients build strength, improve their balance and proprioception, and help dogs return to an active lifestyle after injury or surgery.

A sling is often recommended for pets with back injuries or conditions that affect their mobility. This sling helps them walk around the house or get up and down from the floor safely and without pain.

Hydrotherapy

If your dog has suffered an injury or a condition that requires rehabilitation, hydrotherapy is a form of physiotherapy that can help. This type of treatment is safe, reliable and effective; it can also help your dog lose weight.

Depending on the specific needs of your dog, he can benefit from one of three primary types of hydrotherapy: underwater treadmills, whirlpools and dog pools. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner who will determine which type of hydrotherapy will best suit your pet’s health and recovery goals.

Underwater treadmill therapy is the most common type of canine hydrotherapy and is a good choice for dogs with joint injuries or arthritis. It encases the dog’s body in a glass or plastic chamber, and water fills the chamber to about the level of their legs. The dog then walks on the treadmill, which provides resistance that helps them strengthen their muscles.

Another type of hydrotherapy for dogs is whirlpool therapy, which is a form of canine massage that uses warm water to massage injured areas. This type of hydrotherapy is often used for dogs that have undergone surgery and can help reduce the pain and swelling caused by the operation.

The benefits of hydrotherapy for dogs include pain relief, increased range of motion, improved circulation and reduced inflammation. It can be a safe and effective way for dogs to improve their overall health and recovery from injuries or illness, and it can also help obese dogs lose weight.

Gait Training

Gait training is an exercise program for patients who are recovering from a stroke, spinal cord injury, or other condition that affects the movement of a limb. The main purpose of gait training is to retrain the gait pattern. This can be performed on a land treadmill, underwater treadmill, or on land with assistance and support to prevent further injury.

Walking on an underwater treadmill is one of the most effective forms of dog rehab equipment because it encourages a correct and exaggerated gait pattern, which improves joint flexion and range of motion in even patients with muscle atrophy. The buoyancy of the water helps reduce stress on the joints and promotes muscle relaxation.

A study conducted at a rehabilitation facility found that walking speed and gait pattern were improved in four patients who had a recent stroke with hemiparesis when trained using a rehabilitation dog. The study also demonstrated that the dog helped the patient maintain normal weight bearing and encouraged proper placement of feet, which was important for improving the gait.

Stair climbing is an effective form of therapeutic exercise. A full flight of stairs may be too difficult for some dogs, but you can start with a few steps and work up over time.

The goal is to increase the distance your dog can cover and to improve their balance, coordination, strength, and endurance. This exercise should be done twice a day and can be continued as long as your dog is comfortable.

Proprioception and balance exercises are important for puppies, athletes, and patients with neurological problems. These include walking backward, weaving in and out of obstacles, and wobble boards. These exercises improve your dog’s coordination and strength and can be done at home in a safe, comfortable, and fun way.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Eastern Medicine therapy that involves inserting thin needles into key areas of the body to help alleviate pain and mobility problems. It is dog rehab equipment a highly flexible form of treatment that can target numerous health concerns at once and is a great addition to your dog rehab equipment collection.

Acupuncturists use sterile needles to stimulate a specific point in the skin, which sends a message along nerves to the brain and spinal cord. The stimulation of these points can cause the brain to release chemicals called endorphins, which help people feel better physically and emotionally.

It is important to get acupuncture from a licensed practitioner who has received specialized training and uses clean, disposable needles. Acupuncturists should also check your medical history before recommending acupuncture.

Before a patient receives acupuncture, they will complete an intake form and spend time talking with the provider about their health concerns. “It’s similar to how a medical doctor will take a medical history,” says Sheinberg.

After the initial acupuncture session, patients may receive additional treatments or maintenance sessions to keep their condition under control. It is a safe, painless procedure that can improve overall quality of life and reduce the need for medication.

Research in animals and humans shows that acupuncture can influence the way the nervous system works, as well as how the body responds to different stimuli. In particular, acupuncture can trigger the body’s own response to inflammation.

Acupuncture is a safe, effective and holistic treatment that can be used in conjunction with prescription medications or surgery for many conditions. It can be effective in treating chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, stress, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, headaches and sinusitis, fibromyalgia, muscle tension and stiffness, allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and sports injuries.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a treatment option for pain and discomfort caused by trigger points in muscles. It is used for treating a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and sports injuries.

Dry needling works by introducing a small needle directly into the trigger point to decrease tightness and increase blood flow. It has been shown to be an effective form of treatment for treating muscle pain and myofascial trigger points.

At Alta Dog Rehab, we offer dry needling as a form of treatment for clients who are suffering from joint stiffness, muscle pain and myofascial trigger point issues. This type of therapy can be a very effective way to help a client recover quicker and get to doing the activities that they love again.

The technique involves a very thin needle that is inserted into the skin just above a trigger point for 30 seconds. The needle is then removed a few minutes later.

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling. One study found that it was an effective treatment for reducing back pain and reducing myofascial trigger point symptoms. Another study reported that it was an effective treatment for reducing pain, stiffness and joint inflammation associated with a knee osteoarthritis.

If you are interested in trying dry needling, make sure you find a provider who is experienced and trained to do so. It is also important to be screened for health conditions that may prevent this therapy from being effective.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a form of physical treatment used by physical therapists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability. It is a holistic approach to healing that includes skilled techniques like massage, soft tissue and joint mobilization, range of motion, stretching, and passive and assisted functional movement.

This therapy can be performed on patients at home, although it is most often performed in a clinic or in conjunction with other rehabilitation therapies and exercises. It has a wide range of benefits, including decreasing pain, increasing circulation, improving mobility, reducing stiffness and inflammation, and enhancing tissue and joint health.

It can help prevent muscle atrophy after surgery or injury, improve the strength of muscles and their related nervous systems, and increase flexibility and suppleness. It is also known to reduce scar tissue adhesions and promote healing and tissue regeneration.

The American dog rehab equipment Physical Therapy Association defines manual therapy as “skilled hand movements and skilled passive movements of joints and soft tissues.”

When done correctly, manual therapy can decrease pain, improve mobility, increase blood flow, decrease muscle stiffness, enhance tissue and joint health, and provide relaxation. These effects are derived from the interaction of manual therapy with the body and the physical touch and connection between the therapist and patient.

In addition, physical therapists use manual therapy to identify the source of pain, which is difficult to do with other assessment tools. They can see which tissues and joints are causing the problem, which helps them determine the best method for treatment.

Another form of manual therapy is transcutaneous electrical stimulation, which uses low-level electrical currents to target sensory nerves and reduce pain. It can be performed by a professional, or you can purchase specialized equipment. It is most effective if you perform it along with other dog rehab treatments.