OUR SERVICES
MANUAL THERAPY
Manual therapy can be defined as: ‘the use of skilled hand-movements on the body to improve tissue extensibility, joint range of motion (ROM), reduce pain, swelling and inflammation and promote relaxation’. Manual therapy techniques include: joint mobilisations and distractions (passive, oscillatory or sustained stretch movements performed within the available joint range, primarily to reduce pain and improve ROM), passive range of motion exercises, massage, myofascial release techniques and stretching.
NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION
Therapy targeted at re-establishing neural pathways involved with specific balance, proprioception (awareness of body in space) and co-ordination training. This therapy also assists in pain management and the prevention of secondary complications. The ultimate goal of the above therapies is the return to independent function after an insult to the neurological system.
HYDROTHERAPY
Hydrotherapy uses the therapeutic properties of warm water on the body (resistance, buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and controlled temperature) to improve range of motion, increase flexibility, strengthen muscles, and boost endurance – while reducing the risk of injury and alleviating pain.
The advantages of underwater treadmill over normal swimming are that we have more control over how fast the patient moves, how much weight the patient bears and are able to support weak patients and correct gait pattern abnormalities as they walk.
BENEFITS OF HYDRO:
- Reduce pain
- Improves balance and coordination
- Improves blood circulation
- Weight loss and improved fitness
- Muscle strengthening
- Cardiovascular workout
ELECTROTHERAPY MODALITIES
LASER
Laser therapy uses specific, collimated wavelengths of red light to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal on a cellular level. Effects include: improved healing time, improved quality of healing, improved rate of nerve regeneration, pain reduction, increased circulation and decreased swelling.
ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY (TENS/EMS)
The application of electrical current through the skin (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) via a small machine, is used primarily to manage pain and treat muscle spasms, often immediately post-operatively. Your pet may feel a slight tingling sensation when it is applied, but it is not painful. The machine also has an EMS function, which stimulates muscle contractions, therefore helping to slow muscle atrophy and improving circulation.
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE THERAPY (LAND & UWT)
The use of specialized physiotherapy equipment is utilized when developing an exercise program best suited to the needs of your individual pet depending on his specific injury or surgery. These exercises form an integral part of the physiotherapy process and each one is performed with a specific goal in mind.
WEIGHT LOSS & FITNESS PROGRAMS
The use of the underwater treadmill offers low impact, high resistance exercise, providing a safe and comfortable way to achieve great weight loss, muscle conditioning and fitness results. The temperature of the water allows dogs to burn up to three times more energy over the same amount of time, making it an excellent tool for fast, effective improvement.
KINESIOLOGY TAPING
K-tape is a rehabilitative, cotton tape especially formulated to have positive effects on the body when applied by a practiced clinician. It decreases inflammation, improves lymph drainage and increases proprioception and muscle activation by stimulating receptors in the skin. It encourages awareness of an area and is especially helpful when dealing with neurological patients or patients with excessive joint motion.
PUPPY ASSESSMENTS AND CONDITIONING
Our puppy conditioning programs are targeted at early assessment, preventative care and confidence building of puppies, with the goal of educating owners and setting puppies up for a long, strong, and active life.
Our puppy conditioning program includes a full musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment, owner education, tailored puppy strengthening program, and desensitisation /confidence building around being handled and equipment.
In summer months, our puppy conditioning also includes pool safety and swimming lessons.
This program is aimed at puppies under 1 year old!
Some things we cover:
- nail trimming
- eye, ear and teeth checks
- confidence being handled and touched
- exposure to equipment, including unstable surfaces, strange textures, moving surfaces, water, sounds
- full assessment to narrow down areas of weakness or compromise
- owner education in interpreting the assessment findings, as well as preventative measures and tailored lifestyle adjustments
SWIMMING LESSONS
Swimming Lessons or Summer Conditioning: During summer months, take advantage of our pool and enroll your dog for swimming lessons, pool safety sessions or as a fun way to exercise your dog!
This offering is available to healthy, uncompromised dogs only:
- for dogs who are not existing patients of PIB, normal registration on our system is required, and an initial assessment will be required to ensure your dog is healthy and uncompromised prior to starting swimming sessions – this assessment is short, and will be performed during the first swimming session.
*we will not swim compromised dogs, and reserve the right to deny swimming sessions IF an assessment does not clear the dog.
- for dogs who are already existing patients of PIB, swimming in summer will be at the discretion of your dog’s physiotherapist.
HOME VISITS
There aren’t always enough hours in the day, but luckily, we can still travel to see your pet in the comfort of their own home to ensure they receive the necessary treatment and rehabilitation.
BENEFITS:
- if your pet is anxious or too stressed in new environments.
- if your pet is in severe pain or too frail.
- if you’re unable to travel to us.
WHERE?
We cover Somerset West and surrounding areas (Helderberg and surrounds).