Physical Rehabilitation for Arthritic Patients
Benefits to doing exercises:
1.) Heat therapy and massage helps improve blood flow, tissue and collagen extensibility, decrease pain, muscle spasms and joint stiffness.
2.) Range of motion exercises help joint and soft tissue integrity, decrease contractures, maintains muscle elasticity, helps circulation, helps support joint nutrition and decrease pain.
3.) Walking helps improve muscle strength around the hips and knees as well as improve endurance and stamina.
4.) Sit-Stands help strengthen the muscles around the hip and knee and helps with proprioception and balance.
5.) Swimming and using the underwater treadmill helps strengthen the fore limbs and hind limbs with less stress/strains on joints.
6.) High stepping helps promote coordination, flexibility, and muscle development. Repetition encourages extension and provides muscle memory and foot timing.
7.) Cavalettis helps your pet know where their feet are, both front and rear.
8.) Walking on uneven ground helps strengthen limbs, works on balance and core muscles. Examples would be walking on pavement vs. grass, sand at a playground, gravel, etc.
9.) Weight shifting increases hind limb strength, proprioception and core strength.
10.) Ice therapy helps decrease edema.
There are several other exercises that can be performed as well as other treatments and medications that can be discussed with your veterinarian. If you are interested in learning more please speak to your Veterinarian about starting an arthritis program for your pet.
1.) Heat therapy and massage helps improve blood flow, tissue and collagen extensibility, decrease pain, muscle spasms and joint stiffness.
2.) Range of motion exercises help joint and soft tissue integrity, decrease contractures, maintains muscle elasticity, helps circulation, helps support joint nutrition and decrease pain.
3.) Walking helps improve muscle strength around the hips and knees as well as improve endurance and stamina.
4.) Sit-Stands help strengthen the muscles around the hip and knee and helps with proprioception and balance.
5.) Swimming and using the underwater treadmill helps strengthen the fore limbs and hind limbs with less stress/strains on joints.
6.) High stepping helps promote coordination, flexibility, and muscle development. Repetition encourages extension and provides muscle memory and foot timing.
7.) Cavalettis helps your pet know where their feet are, both front and rear.
8.) Walking on uneven ground helps strengthen limbs, works on balance and core muscles. Examples would be walking on pavement vs. grass, sand at a playground, gravel, etc.
9.) Weight shifting increases hind limb strength, proprioception and core strength.
10.) Ice therapy helps decrease edema.
There are several other exercises that can be performed as well as other treatments and medications that can be discussed with your veterinarian. If you are interested in learning more please speak to your Veterinarian about starting an arthritis program for your pet.
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Is My Pet in Pain?
Ask yourself these questions about your pet
- Is my pet having trouble posturing for urination or bowel movements?
- Does my pet have trouble transferring from lying to sitting or vice versa?
- Does my pat have trouble transferring from sitting to standing or vice versa?
- Can my pet scratch behind his ears?
- Can my pet go up and down stairs effectively or is it slow?
- Can my pet get in and out of the car without assistance?
- Can my pet get on/off the couch normally?
- Can my pet run and play like normal?
- Has my pet gained weight?
- Does my pet have less endurance than he used to?
- Has my pets temperament changed?
- Has my pets walked shortened or does he need to take breaks during his walk?
- Does my pet limp on walks?
- Is my pet stiff when he tries to get up from laying down for a long time?
- Are there activities that may pet can no longer due?
- Does my pet shy away from activities or people that he used to love?
- Does my pet guard one of his legs/sensitive to touch?
- Does my pet lick or chew at his legs?
*If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions your pet may be experiencing pain *