Physiotherapy at New Era

Physiotherapy aims to promote and improve physical function, helping in the treatment or long-term management of certain diseases, injuries or deformities. Various different methods are used such as manipulations, massage and exercise, as well as electronic modalities, including infra-red laser and ultrasound.

Following a veterinary referral, physiotherapy can support and compliment other medical disciplines to generate a holistic approach to healthcare with maximum benefits to the patient.

We have a dedicated physiotherapist who works closely with our vet team and can provide support for conditions such as joint dysplasia, osteoarthritis, lumbosacral disease, intervertebral disc disease, patellar luxation and cruciate disease, when deemed appropriate for that individual patient.

How Does It Work?

We utilise different techniques, including manual (massage, manipulations) and electro therapies (laser, TENS etc), hydrotherapy and an at home exercise program to help manage pain, build strength and flexibility, encourage correct movement and promote appropriate neurological function.

Manual Therapies

Different massage techniques can be used to relax tissues, stimulate muscles which are not being used or help to correctly align scar tissue fibres after injury. Joint manipulations can help to improve range of motion and provide neurological feedback to the brain in cases of nerve damage.

Electrotherapies

We have a variety of electrotherapies available including a Class IV infra-red laser, therapeutic ultrasound and a TENS/NMES unit.

Laser

Laser therapy is believed to work by a process called photo-biomodulation. In this process, when the infra-red light comes into contact with body cells it is absorbed, and that absorption promotes biochemical reactions including the increased production of proteins which are then used in cell repair and internal pain management pathways. Increased blood flow to the area is also thought to be generated, which brings oxygen and removes waste. This all helps with healing from injury, as well as pain relief and relaxation of tense muscles.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Used primarily for tendon and ligament injuries, this modality uses ultrasonic sound waves to generate vibrations in tissues. These help to align scar tissue fibres to generate a more normal tissue structure which has greater resilience to further injury. It also generates heat and therefore increased blood flow which can also aid healing.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Quite commonly used in human therapy, TENS is thought to utilise ‘pain gate theory’ to block transmission of pain signals to the brain. It can provide fairly instant pain relief which can last longer than the treatment time itself.

NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

NMES is used to stimulate muscle activity in patients that are not capable of initiating muscle movement for themselves. It is quite useful in patients with neurological disorders as it can help prevent significant muscle loss during rehabilitation.

Hydrotherapy

Controlled exercise in water is a useful treatment for patients who struggle to support their bodyweight, have weakness in certain limbs, need to lose weight or need to improve fitness. Water is a very supportive medium which allows for gentle exercise but also provides additional resistance to make muscles work harder. As well as this, the water we use is heated which creates a relaxing environment for muscles and joints.

At Home Exercise

As well as all the above treatments at the practice, we also provide exercises to carry out at home so that you can continue the rehabilitation in between appointments. This ensures best possible outcomes for the patient. We have a selection of exercise equipment with which to demonstrate and train the exercises, but there is no requirement for specialist equipment at home, and all the exercises can be carried out using items commonly found in most households

What To Expect

Small Animals
Sessions take place at our Archway branch and usually last for about an hour. They consist of an examination, discussion of your pet’s medical history, treatments and an exercise program to take home. We can arrange home visits in certain circumstances, please be aware this will include an additional visit charge.

Large Animals
Our physiotherapist will visit you where your animal is housed, with sessions usually lasting between 1.5-2 hours. We perform a dynamic assessment as well as a hands-on examination and treatment, and can provide exercise recommendations for use in between sessions.
Many insurance companies will cover physiotherapy, please check your policy documents for more information.

If you think your pet may benefit from physiotherapy and you would like to know more, you can arrange a call back from our physiotherapist by phoning Archway Veterinary Centre (01534 872456). An internal referral from our vet team will be needed to ensure physiotherapy is an appropriate option for your pet at this time.

If you are not a registered patient with New Era, then your veterinary surgeon will be required to complete a referral form before any treatment. Please get in touch and a form can be emailed to you.