REHABILITATION
In a rehabilitation appointment, gate analysis, range of motion (Goniometry), muscle examination (girth analysis), and neurological examination is performed.
Based on the findings, simple rehabilitation exercises can be applied at home, in most cases, with good results. In more complex cases the use of modalities like Neuromuscular electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, acupuncture, massage therapy, or veterinary orthopaedic manipulation techniques may be employed. Nutritional and nutraceutical components are also discussed to give the body the best chance to heal and improve its function.
Veterinary Orthopaedic Manipulation Technology
Veterinary Orthopaedic Manipulation is a spinal adjustment for the treatment of musculoskeletal issues.
The somatosensory component of the nervous system provides awareness of body sensations such as touch, temperature, position and pain.
These are all specialized touch receptors as Merkel discs Meissner corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Ruffini end organs are situated all over the body under the skin.
Vertebral Subluxation is a condition in which one or more spinal bones (vertebra) locks out of place, and alters nerve flow (information transmitted over the nervous system). This most often happens in the neck, lower back, or hips. Subluxation not only obstructs nerve flow through your spinal cord or spinal nerve roots, but subluxation can also cause changes in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the affected area. As picked up by the somatosensory component of your nervous system, subluxation leads to the disruption of the neural trail. As a result, the individual vertebra/surrounding muscles/nerves start counterbalancing and this results in inflammation and pain.
To correct the subluxation, physical manipulation and specialized instruments are applied. The results are instantaneous.
What it Looks Like
A series of 3 adjustments down the spinal cord of the pet is all it takes. The first pass down the spinal cord is diagnostic and the positive reads indicate where the pet’s spinal bones are subluxated. The second pass begins the treatment process as it reduces the subluxation and re-establishes neuronal communication. The third pass continues to reduce subluxation to a minimum.
Cartrophen
Cartilage failure and degradation can lead to many issues in our pets. Cartilage is a buffer between joints which, when worn down, can cause Osteoarthritis. Cartilage is also a support in the trachea, and when this is failing, breathing problems may arrise.
Cartrophen is an injection that prevents the degradation of cartilage in the body and stimulates cartilage production, joint lubrication, and anti-oxidant production.
TREATMENT
When your pet is determined to be a good candidate for cartrophen, treatment begins once a week for 4 weeks. After the initial frequent injections, the medication is spaced out to once a month for a few months and a schedule for your pet’s specific condition and needs is determined.
Results when treating joint problems are generally quick, noted improvement is within a month and a half.
Other cartilage issues may take longer for results to be visible.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Electricity has been used therapeutically since Scribonius Largus used an electric ray in a foot bath to treat gout. Benjamin Franklin used electric shock to treat a frozen shoulder in 1757. In 1791 , Galvani used galvanic current in vitro experiments using neuromuscular preparations. By the early 1800s Faraday had invented the faradic current generator, which is the basis for most modern muscle stimulators. Since the early and mid twentieth century electrotherapy has become commonplace in physical medicine for the restoration of muscle function after injuries, before patients are capable of voluntary exercise training.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) recruits type II fibres first (fast twitch), then type I (slow twitch), which is the reverse of the muscle recruitment pattern in a volitional contraction. Pets with injuries, or immediately following surgery, may be unable or unwilling to produce a maximum voluntary muscle contraction. In these patients, NMES may produce a stronger muscle contraction.
The net physical effects of NMES are an increase in muscle strength, muscle mass, and oxidative capacity. Another benefit of NMES is the ability to overcome the effects of reflex inhibition on the quadriceps muscles, and the potential enhanced effect of NMES on subsequent voluntary use of previously electrically activated motor units.
When is NMES best Utilized?
Immediate post-operative period (2 - 4 weeks)
Atrophy (even long standing)
Selective strengthening of muscle group or groups (Biceps vs Hamstrings)
Pain Management