Orlovia
What is good for humans cannot be wrong for a dog either. True to the motto, the number of dog physiotherapists in Germany has multiplied in recent years. Physiotherapy is used to relieve pain, increase mobility and strengthen and relax muscles. In addition, you can simply use physiotherapy for your dog as a wellness treatment.
The Most Important Things Summarized
- Dog physiotherapy is suitable for the treatment of various diseases of muscles, joints, bones, and tendons. In addition, therapy can increase your dog’s overall well-being.
- There are very different forms of treatment in dog physiotherapy, each aimed at specific complaints.
- The costs per treatment unit (usually 30-45 minutes) are between 30 and 50 euros. Additional costs may apply if special devices are used.
What is Dog Physiotherapy Good For?
In principle, physical therapy in dogs follows the same approach as in humans. The aim of the measures is to reduce or even eliminate pain. Joints become more supple and flexible, and muscle strength increases. Dogs that are not sufficiently encouraged by their owners learn endurance and condition here. Overall, canine physiotherapy significantly increases the quality of life of the animals. Overall, the goals are as follows:
- pain relief
- Restoring and maintaining mobility
- Awareness of healthy movement sequences
- Building and maintaining muscles
- Promotion of the healing process before and after surgery
- Alleviation of ailments of old age
What Diseases Does a Canine Physiotherapist Treat?
Overall, physiotherapy can have positive effects on diseases of bones, joints, nerves, and muscles. Possible clinical pictures that a dog physiotherapist can treat are, for example:
- degenerative skeletal diseases
- arthrosis
- spinal diseases
- Consequences of an operation or traumatic injuries
- inexplicable movement restrictions
- Wound healing disorders
- Diseases of muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- neurological diseases
- respiratory diseases
- paralysis
- lack of stamina and fitness
- overweight
- Edema and diseases of the lymphatic system
- rheumatic diseases
- signs of aging
But even without suffering, going to the dog physiotherapist is a good idea. Not only anxious dogs can relax and enjoy some wellness here.
Of course, not every dog physiotherapist offers the full range of services. Researching providers in your area will help here.
How Does Therapy Work?
At the beginning of therapeutic treatment, there is a holistic view of the animal. This means that the therapist not only considers the current problem but also the living conditions of the animal. Important points here are, for example:
- type of attitude, e.g. B. other animals in the household
- nutrition
- movement and exit
- cognitive demand
- dog sport
The second step is gait analysis, through which the therapist studies the animal’s posture and movement. The subsequent palpation is used to identify pain points, tension, or shortening of the muscles.
Based on the findings, therapy is then put together that is individually tailored to your dog. This usually requires about 6-10 appointments to relieve acute pain. Chronic diseases, on the other hand, require regular treatment. In addition to the therapy, in many cases, you will receive specific exercises to do at home to further support the success of the treatment.
Canine Physiotherapist Services
In principle, physiotherapists offer almost the same range of services that are also available to people. The range of therapies includes:
- Massages, physical and mental relaxation
- Lymphatic drainage reduces pressure and pain in the tissue, reduces edema, relaxes the lymphatic vessels
- Active and passive movement on devices, strengthening of muscle strength
- Leech therapy, has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain, stimulates lymphatic drainage
- Respiratory therapy to loosen secretions or phlegm, relax and increase mobility
- Underwater treadmill for gentle movement of the joints, training of the cardiovascular system, targeted endurance training
- Electrotherapy (with adhesive electrodes), stimulation of damaged nerves, muscle strengthening
- Ultrasound therapy, heat relieves pain
- Cranio-sacral therapy (osteopathy), rehabilitation after accidents, alleviation of dysfunctions
- manual therapy (such as physiotherapy), loosening blockages, stretching the muscles, stimulating the production of synovial fluid
- Dorn therapy (treatment of the spine) against misalignments
- shock wave therapy
- acupuncture
- Heat and cold therapy (cherry pit bags or red light, ice cubes or towels), relaxing and stimulating blood circulation or decongestant and pain-relieving
- Neurology (e.g. massages, stimulation, stabilization techniques), especially in the case of paralysis and nervous disorders
- Vibration therapy to relax, stretch and strengthen the muscles
- Magnetic field therapy, stimulation of blood circulation, gentle pain relief, promotion of oxygen transport
- Scar treatment to increase the elasticity of the scar tissue
Cost of a Canine Physiotherapist
Physical therapist costs vary from provider to provider. Many bills the first appointment with anamnesis separately as a first hour, the following units of 30-45 minutes then cost an average of between 30 and 50 euros. Sometimes there are discounted 5 or 10 tickets.