Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy plays an important in recovery, pain relief, and rehabilitation after injury, disease, or surgery. Additionally, it is crucial in solving chronic, lasting problems and has proven its efficiency in alleviating age related problems.  Physiotherapy helps preserve and enhance strength and flexibility, restores normal movement patterns, and fosters normal functioning of cardiovascular system. 

How is it possible to book an appointment with a physiotherapist?

In case of a healthy dogs, no reference letter is required, and it is possible to book an appointment by calling our clinic reception.
If your dog is suffering from a certain condition, a reference letter from the regular treating specialist is required. The veterinarian diagnoses the animal, evaluates its condition and the necessity of physiotherapy. Finally, the physiotherapist will design the treatment pan if it is necessary.

When coming to the appointment

If your pet has previously visited another clinic, please send their medical history well in advance of the visit to: loomakliinik@emu.ee.

The animal should be fasted for a few hours before the visit. If your pet has a favorite sweet (or toy) to motivate them with, take them with you. And the same way: if there is food intolerance, your sweets are a safer choice. There are sweets in the physiotherapy office, but they may not always be suitable for everyone.

The process of physiotherapy

At the first visit, a physiotherapeutic assessment is performed, where the physiotherapist examines for past and present concerns, looks at the animal's movements, palpates its muscles and assesses joint mobility. If the animal is very anxious or apprehensive on the first visit, a more thorough examination may be postponed to the next visit.

 

Based on the findings of the evaluation, goals are set with the owner and a further physiotherapy plan is agreed. Physiotherapy is always a collaboration between the owner, the veterinarian and the physiotherapist. The owner has a very important part in the whole process and this must be taken into account, because in the case of chronic or some skeletal muscle problems, for example, the recovery process can take several months.

 

Methods of physiotherapy

  • The most important method of physiotherapy is therapeutic exercise, in other words, active movement. We try to find an exercise plan for each patient that suits his or her abilities and leads to goals. Be it re-learning and maintaining natural postures or more complex combinations of exercises: it is physical activity that is most important in recovery. We can use balance boards and pillows, barriers, treadmills, etc. to gradually increase the load.

The physiotherapist also instructs the owner on how and how often to perform the exercises at home and what to keep in mind with their pet.

  • Manual therapy
    These are the so-called “hands-on” techniques aimed at alleviating muscle tension and spasms, as well as pain caused by them. Manual therapy includes passive stretching and passive joint locomotion exercises, joint mobilisation. Moreover, a physiotherapist is able to exploit the animal’s natural reflexes to stimulate active joint mobility. 

  • The methods include laser, therapeutical ultrasonography, TENS and EMS electrical treatment methods, heat and cold treatment.

Does my pet need physiotherapy?

If you are not sure if a physiotherapist can help or should see a veterinarian first, feel free to write to: ruudu.asveit@emu.ee