Types of Therapy

Did you know Pinnacle Animal Hospital is home to Ottawa Valley’s first underwater treadmill? Hydrotherapy is an excellent rehabilitation tool. The water provides buoyancy, making it a low-impact exercise for patients. Pets can return to exercise sooner after surgery, allowing weak or arthritic patients to move without pain. The underwater treadmill effectively improves range of motion, muscle strength, weight-bearing and overall physical endurance.

Therapeutic ultrasound is used for local heating of deep tissues, which can be helpful in many conditions. It improves restricted range of motion, reduces pain, reduces muscle spasms, and increases circulation to the treated area.

Electrical stimulation is a commonly used modality in rehabilitation. It can be used to stimulate the muscle to prevent muscle atrophy (muscle loss commonly seen when a patient does not use their leg following surgery), or it can be used to minimize pain & swelling.

Therapeutic exercises are tailored to each patient and their condition. A wide variety of therapeutic exercises can help improve your pet’s overall function and comfort! These exercises are selected to target specific muscle groups and joints. They are helpful to achieve a comfortable range of motion, improve muscle mass & strength, improve balance, and prevent future injury.

Like when we injure ourselves, ice and heat can be useful depending on the stage of recovery to help limit inflammation/swelling, decrease pain, and improve range of motion/flexibility.