Physiotherapy Flashcards
What is the status of veterinary physiotherapy?
- RCVS Code of Practice for Vets
- Physios, osteopaths and chiropracters
- 19.12 The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 allows for the treatment of animals by physiotherapy, provided that the animal has first been seen by a veterinary surgeon who has diagnosed the condition and decided that it should be treated by physiotherapy under his/her direction.
What does ‘physiotherapy’ include?
‘Physiotherapy’ is interpreted as including all kinds of manipulative therapy. It therefore includes osteopathy and chiropractic but would not, for example, include acupuncture oraromatherapy.
Who does physio?
Nurses and vets with specific experience and training
Qualified physiotherapists with animal experience and/or holders of a conversion qualification
Therapeutic basis of physiotherapy?
- Physical techniques that have a direct impact on healing tissues
- Exercises that promote “proprioceptive learning”
- Overlap between the two
- Essential nature of integrating physiotherapy with the overall treatment plan
- Clients have a very high affinity for physiotherapy - but often limited evidence
- The cycle of examination, therapy and re-examination
- The therapist needs to be continually re-evaluating the patient, cataloguing changes and deciding on parallel evolution of the therapy with the changes
Massage - what are the direct impacts on tissue?
- Pain relief
- Decreased mobility
(Mechanical restriction, Post surgery, Disease) - Preventative against injury in athletes and preparatory for performance
(Warm up, performance enhancement, Recovery from fatigue and soreness)
How does massage work? 4
- relaxation (continuous touching and palpation creates a sense of security and lowered stress)
- pain relief via lowered stress and possibility of endorphin release
- direct activation of neuropeptide release in nervous system
- improved circulation and lymphatic flow (especially vascular and lymphatic return)
Outline practical masage
- can be for an isolated area
- usually an area (e.g. limb)
- often coupled with ROM exercises as warm-up
- time consuming and physically demanding n therapiist
Methods - practical massage - 4
- stroking (start with this)
- effleurage (hands move distal to proximal with medium pressure)
- compression and wrining (Petrissage)
- Percussion
Outline petrisage/ compression and wringing
- high pressure targetted at individual mm
- compress and hold for 15 seconds
Outline percussion
- cupped hand or hacking over areas of increased tone
- specific attention to spasmic nodules (trigger points)
What does cryotherapy do?
- Affects vasculature (constriction) and nerves (analgesia) directly
- Can be used even when patient is not ambulatory (Early in acute treatment)
- Most effective in the management of acute inflammation
- About 20 minute treatments
Methods - cryotherapy
- As simple as a plastic bag with a water/ice mix covered with a tea-towel (thin cloth)
- Cryogel packs (re-freezable)
- Jackets and filler flasks
- Ice bath immersion
- Vapour coolant
- Use 20 minute treatments and monitor for frostbite!
What does thermotherapy do?
- Affects vasculature (constriction) and nerves (analgesia) directly
- Can be used even when patient is not ambulatory (Not in the acute phase - heat will make swelling, heat and pain worse.
- Once initial swelling has decreased heat helps vasodilation
- Heat packs (microwave), hot water bottles
Indication - range of motion and stretching
- diminishing the effects of disuse and immobilty (increasing limb flexibility, improving ROM of joints, reducing adhesions and thickening around joints, improving muscle extension)
- expect small gains to occur slowly but effectively
What does muscle ROM equal?
= functional excursion
