Hydrotherapy means simply ‘therapy in water’. It is one of the oldest forms of rehabilitation and is now becoming increasingly popular for the rehabilitation and care of dogs.
At Charlie's Canine Hydrotherapy Clinic we use:
-Underwater treadmill
-Swimming
-Both
There are many benefits to be had by the canine patient from underwater treadmill therapy. These include:
· Ease of movement of painful or healing structures
· Improved weight bearing
· Gait- re-education following spinal or neurological injury or disease
· Prevention of muscle atrophy
· Accelerated muscle strengthening
· Faster return to previous function following injury or surgery
· Improved joint range of motion
· Balance re-training
· Maintaining and prolonging mobility in senior pets
· Conditioning for sport and show ring
· Weight loss
There are many benefit to be had by the canine patient from swimming. These include:
· Exercise in a gravity eliminated environment
· Prevention of muscle atrophy
· Accelerated muscle strengthening
· Faster return to previous function following injury or surgery
· Improved joint range of motion
· Maintaining and prolonging mobility in senior pets
· Conditioning for sport and show ring
· Improved fitness
· Weight loss
There are several properties of water that contribute to the many benefits to be had by the canine patient. These include:
Buoyancy- the buoyant force supports the dog’s weight reducing weight bearing.
Viscosity - movement in water is much slower on land- meaning if dogs have poor balance, they can be well supported in the water and even work on improving balance.
This viscosity also causes resistance which is very beneficial for strengthening as the dog’s limbs push through the resistance of the water.
The warmth of the water (32 degrees) helps the muscles to relax, so comfort increases, joints loosen and movement is overall much easier than on land.