General Advice
Animal Physiotherapy
It could be interesting to learn that human is only one of the many animals treated by physiotherapy. Physiotherapy on animals has been around for many years in England, Europe, and North America. In 2003, University of Queensland, Australia, commenced the first intake of Masters in Animal Physiotherapy. The Animal Physiotherapy Group has been accepted into the Australian Physiotherapy Association as a new special group, adding to the exiting specialty subgroups:
Cardiothoracic
Continence & Women's Health
Ergonomics & Occupational Health
Gerontology
Hydrotherapy
Manipulative Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy)
Neurology
Orthopaedic & Rheumatology
Paediatric
Sports
There are similarities and differences between treating animals and human beings of musculoskeletal injuries. Muscle functions, soft tissue injuries, joint strain and sprain, dysfunction, degeneration and healing are basically similar as long as we study the orientation of such structures in the animals. Treatment with manipulative therapy such as joint manipulations and mobilizations, soft tissue and muscle friction massage and stretches could therefore be similar. Rehabilitating strengthening, mobility and proprioceptive (sense of balance) exercises could be rather tricky as animals would not be able to follow instructions to perform their daily exercises! Fortunately, animals are generally tough and tend to recover more quickly. They at least do not have to work like us. They will certainly rest if they are in pain. Resting from further injuries could be more important than treatment. So often I see neck patients continue to poke their chin out; back patients continue to slouch, sit and bend; knee and ankle patients continue to run and they expect to recover the very next day! Patients have to learn the fine balance of continuing their daily activities while learning methods to ensure best recovery and to prevent further damage.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Cardiothoracic
Continence & Women's Health
Ergonomics & Occupational Health
Gerontology
Hydrotherapy
Manipulative Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy)
Neurology
Orthopaedic & Rheumatology
Paediatric
Sports
There are similarities and differences between treating animals and human beings of musculoskeletal injuries. Muscle functions, soft tissue injuries, joint strain and sprain, dysfunction, degeneration and healing are basically similar as long as we study the orientation of such structures in the animals. Treatment with manipulative therapy such as joint manipulations and mobilizations, soft tissue and muscle friction massage and stretches could therefore be similar. Rehabilitating strengthening, mobility and proprioceptive (sense of balance) exercises could be rather tricky as animals would not be able to follow instructions to perform their daily exercises! Fortunately, animals are generally tough and tend to recover more quickly. They at least do not have to work like us. They will certainly rest if they are in pain. Resting from further injuries could be more important than treatment. So often I see neck patients continue to poke their chin out; back patients continue to slouch, sit and bend; knee and ankle patients continue to run and they expect to recover the very next day! Patients have to learn the fine balance of continuing their daily activities while learning methods to ensure best recovery and to prevent further damage.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist