Physical Rehabilitation

We will develop and demonstrate a personalized home-based rehabilitation program for your pet, which may be implemented immediately. Performed appropriately and consistently, this is perhaps the most important aspect of many rehabilitation programs. 

The VMC offers canine (or very brave feline) patients the use of an underwater treadmill as part of the rehabilitation program. An underwater treadmill offers all of the muscle strength and endurance-increasing benefits of a standard treadmill, as well as the additional buoyancy and resistance of water. The water temperature is heated to provide a soothing, healing environment for tissues. The water level is fully adjustable to accommodate patients of all sizes.  

This modality provides deep tissue healing. It speeds wound healing, increases range of motion, and relaxes muscle spasms.   

This therapy releases low-voltage impulses into affected areas. These impulses increase muscle tone and aid in pain management.  

Patients will perform exercises using tools made to address specific aspects of rehabilitation such as balance and muscle strengthening. Some of this equipment is based upon human physical therapy equipment but has been specially redesigned to accommodate our canine and feline patients.  

Photobiomodulation is the application of low-level laser light to affected areas. This is sometimes known as “cold” laser therapy. Laser therapy improves wound healing, increases blood flow, decreases inflammation, and stimulates the body’s natural methods of pain control.

The application of pulsed magnetic fields to affected areas or the entire body can reduce pain and inflammation, enhance tissue and bone healing, increase circulation, and relax the muscles.

Massage therapy, consisting of hands-on deep tissue massage to the muscles, is becoming more widely performed on companion animals. The application of massage therapy can increase circulation, reduce muscle spasms, relieve tension, and increase range of motion.