Can Physiotherapy and Integrative Therapy Help Your Pet?

So many of the complementary aspects of medical care that are now routine in human medicine are becoming more common in veterinary care as well. From acupuncture to laser therapy, the answer is a resounding YES! All roads lead to even more ways to help you help your pet.

In last month’s (first ever!) edition of the RAPS Animal Hospital newsletter, we told you about the amazing range of integrative medicine options now available at our clinic.
 
In this issue, learn more about manual therapy and how it can help your pet!
 
RAPS Animal Hospital is committed to making animals healthier – and their people happier.
 
We are broadening our ability to meet this goal.
 
Dr. Laurie Pearlstein brings to RAPS Animal Hospital specific training and years of experience in a range of additional approaches to veterinary care. Some of these modalities are complex, but the end-goal is not.  She wants your pet to be as comfortable and functional as possible.  
 
Rambunctious wrestling puppies, weekend warriors and seniors with well-earned age-related joint issues – in any body, one issue or injury easily leads to more than one thing that causes pain as the body adjusts posture and weight bearing to accommodate for the original problem.  
 
A huge area where physiotherapy and integrative medicine shine and where they are routinely employed is in treating and managing pain. It’s all about alleviating a pet’s pain and a big part of this includes being able to address the underlying conditions that caused this pain.
 
One of the ways Dr. Pearlstein does this is through manual therapy – in particular, joint mobilizations and myofascial release.
 
Manual therapy is a very broad term. It encompasses all the therapy that one can accomplish using hands to affect body tissues. Some more familiar examples include massage and chiropractic care.
 
Manual adjustments in pets is similar to that in humans.   
 
“There are different degrees of how you can move a joint,” explains Dr. Pearlstein.  "The bigger sudden joint manipulations can sometimes be overwhelming for many patients. Most of the time, I can employ the more gentle joint mobilizations and fascial techniques to affect tissues and get to where we want to go successfully. This lets them relax and allows me to do more to try and help.” 
 
Fascia is a whole other complex and fascinating interest of Dr. Pearlstein's. 
 
"Suffice it to say, it is so much more than just 'connective tissue,' literally wrapping around every tissue – muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, lymph and blood vessel – in the body with a tensile strength of 2000 pounds."  
 
Myofascial release is another key component she includes to improve the effectiveness of all the other therapies.  
 
RAPS Animal Hospital is thrilled to offer these and other options to make pets healthy and maintain their well-being. For more information, check out the range of services we offer or speak to one of our professional team.