Our Services
Canine Physical Rehabilitation (and cats, too!)
Rehabilitation in veterinary medicine is similar to physical therapy performed in humans. Rehabilitation encompasses a wide range of modalities, including massage, pain relief, and specific stretches and exercises to help animals regain strength and for pain relief, such as after surgery or a neurological episode, such as a disc herniation in the back. Rehabilitation is typically prescribed for recovery from surgery or illness. Rehabilitation really shines for aging dogs and cats to help relieve pain and maintain strength.
What’s the difference between rehabilitation and physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a legally protected term and can only be practiced by Physical Therapists.
When similar techniques, such as targeted strength training exercises, stretching, heated massage, or manual therapy, are performed by veterinarians, it is called rehabilitation.
Therapeutic Exercises
Dr. Mangan will determine what exercises are ideal to meet your pet’s needs and goals. Therapeutic exercises are prescribed to meet specific goals such as:
Learning to walk again
Strengthening the core muscles
Strengthening the legs
Improving body awareness, coordination and balance
Regaining flexibility in the joints and body
Optimizing athletic performance
Veterinary Manual Therapy
Dr. Mangan uses her hands to find and release restrictions in the body, usually found in fascia, muscles, joints. Specific techniques include:
Myofascial release
Trigger point therapy
Joint mobilization
Lymphatic drainage
Heated massage
Proprioceptive training
Therapeutic and Assistive Devices
Dr. Mangan can recommend specific therapeutic devices, such as Pulsed Electromagnetic Electrotherapy devices, as well as assistive devices, such as booties, harnesses, braces, and anti-slip devices, on a patient-by-patient basis. She can provide information about how to modify the home and routine to help our pets have an easier time doing the things they love.
What to Expect
The initial rehabilitation exam includes a thorough orthopedic and neurologic examination, as well as a TCVM exam (all together deemed an integrative examination).
Dr. Mangan will discuss with you what her recommendations are for therapy, and dogs typically receive a combination of acupuncture, manual therapy, and are prescribed exercises to do at home.
Initial exam and treatment takes about 90 minutes, and follow up examinations take about 1 hour.
We recommend follow up visits once weekly or every other week for 2-5 treatments, after which, the frequency of treatments are determined on a patient-by-patient basis.
Geriatric patients and those with chronic conditions typically do best with a consistent maintenance schedule, the frequency of which is patient-dependent.
Commonly Treated Conditions
A wide variety of conditions can benefit from rehabilitation, the most commonly seen are below.
Orthopedic Conditions
Arthritis
Hip or elbow dysplasia
Conservative management of cranial cruciate ligament tears
Soft tissue injuries
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Neurologic Conditions
Conservative management of intervertebral disc disease
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Degenerative myelopathy
Fibrocartilaginous embolism (“spinal stroke”)
Other Conditions
Recovery from severe illnesses
After limb amputation
Support graceful aging of geriatric pets
Unsure if rehabilitation is right for your animal? Contact us with a brief explanation of what’s been going on and Dr. Mangan can help you decide if integrative medicine would be a good fit.