Injury Prevention For Active Dogs: A Guide To Physiotherapy
Active dogs are often the healthiest and happiest, but it is really important to think about injury prevention. Whether your dog is an athlete or just loves a long weekend walk, understanding how to keep them fit and injury-free is important for their longevity. One of the best ways you can ensure your dog stays healthy is through physiotherapy. This helps to maintain your dog’s physical condition and support their overall health and wellbeing.
Canine Physiology
Before we look at the benefits of physiotherapy for dogs it is important to understand their physiology. Dog’s bodies are designed for movement, but like with all animals this doesn’t mean they are any less prone to injury. They often pick up sprains, strains and joint problems caused by twisting or running too quickly, or even playing rough. Dogs benefit from having their muscles warmed up and cooled down, just like humans who run regularly.
The Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for dogs involves a wide range of techniques designed to improve strength, mobility and flexibility to help reduce the risk of injury. With more active dogs, physiotherapy can help them recover from workouts, maintain fitness and manage any existing conditions they may have.
Here are some of the key benefits of physiotherapy:
- Injury prevention – regular dog physiotherapy sessions can help identify any muscle weaknesses or imbalances before they start causing bigger issues.
- Improved performance – physiotherapy enhances your dog’s condition, allowing them to perform better in agility, obedience, or even just going for runs in the park.
- Pain management – if your dog has a chronic condition, physiotherapy can help provide pain relief, particularly when combined with hydrotherapy.
- Faster recovery – in the event of an injury, physiotherapy can help speed up the recovery process and get your dog back to normal much more quickly.
Physiotherapy Techniques
There are a few ways in which physiotherapy can be used in order to prevent injuries in active dogs:
1. Therapeutic exercise
Bespoke exercise programmes can help improve strength, flexibility and coordination in active dogs. Our physiotherapists will always assess the individual needs of your dog, creating a tailored routine that suits both their activity level and any potential injuries they may have.
2. Manual therapy
Massage, joint mobilisation and stretching can help improve circulation in active dogs, and improve their overall range of motion too. This hands-on approach is really effective for dogs recovering from an injury.
3. Hydrotherapy
Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that can help build a dog’s strength without putting extra pressure on the joints. Hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial for dogs recovering from surgery, but can also be used to help active dogs stay fit. It is most beneficial when used in conjunction with a physiotherapy programme.
4. Laser therapy
This is where laser impulses promote healing by stimulating inflamed tissues and joints. Laser therapy can be really useful to help improve muscle function and reduce pain in active dogs.
The Signs of Injury
As well as ensuring your dog receives regular physiotherapy, it is important to know the signs of potential injury early on so they can adapt the treatment your dog receives accordingly. Some of the common symptoms of injury in active dogs are:
- Limping or favouring one leg
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Reluctance to play or engage in physical activity
- Signs of pain, including whimpering when touched
- Swelling or heat in joints or muscles
Injury prevention for active dogs isn’t just about avoiding harm, it is about enhancing their quality of life so they can live to their full potential. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in achieving this by helping improve their overall condition and speeding up the recovery process.
If you are looking for regular physiotherapy for your dog, you have come to the right place. Our expert team at WitsEnd are on hand. Working with people from all over the country, we have had over 2000 success stories! To book an appointment or for more information, please call us on 0116 244 2455.