Physiotherapy uses physical means to restore movement and function following injury or during the treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis. It can help to relieve pain, improve physical activity and reduce the risk of future injury. A holistic approach is taken, which means that as well as attending appointments, you are often taught exercises to complete at home with your dog between sessions. These exercises aim to strengthen specific parts of the body. The body is considered as a whole, much like in human physiotherapy.

The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) is a new initiative by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to promote public confidence to use therapists such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. ACPAT and NAVP also have useful tools to find qualified animal physiotherapists.

Hydrotherapy is a popular choice for rehabilitation following injury or surgery, or for dogs with chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia or arthritis. It is a water-based therapy that uses key properties of water to support the dog’s weight, which in turn reduces pressure on  joints and encourages an increased range of movement.

This therapy should be given by trained professionals. In the wrong hands it can be very dangerous and do more harm than good. When looking for a hydrotherapist, check they are a member of the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists or the Canine Hydrotherapy Association.

Laser therapy, or “photobiomodulation”, is a non-invasive, fast-acting and versatile treatment. It has been effectively used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including pre-surgical and post-surgical patients and those with both acute and chronic disease states. Treatment is quick, so multiple areas can be treated in a single session, often making it a cost-effective and accessible treatment option.

Laser therapy can be used alongside other treatments such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage and prescribed analgesics from a vet.

Acupuncture is seen as a complementary therapy, with its origins rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. It has been practiced in Chinese and Eastern cultures for thousands of years. It involves the insertion of thin needles through the skin in specific anatomical points, to various depths, for therapeutic benefit. More recently, acupuncture has been utilised in Western medicine for its pain relieving properties. The Western medicine approach takes a more scientific form of the practice when compared to the traditional Chinese medicine practice.

If you are interested in using acupuncture on your dog, you can find out more from the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists www.abva.co.uk.

Using magnetic fields in therapy, especially in arthritis management, has a long history, stemming back to ancient Chinese medicine. However, there is still a lot of confusion about how it works and the best way to deliver it.

It can be effective but is dependent on magnet power, duration of application, and the individual. Don’t stop monitoring your dog’s chronic pain status in the belief that once a collar is put on or a bed is bought your dog will definitely improve.

Magnetic Field Therapy can be a safe and cost-effective treatment in combination with other treatments, but it is not a substitute for full veterinary assessment and advice.

Chiropractic is a manual therapy concerned with the treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of bones, muscles and joints. Chiropractors tend to focus on the spine and feel that establishing good function through the spine will improve bio-mechanical and general health.

The manual therapies involved are considered dynamic and high velocity to re-establish good function.

There is good evidence in human medicine that it is effective in relieving persistent lower back pain.

If considering a chiropractor for your dog, first seek the advice of your own vet. The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) is a new initiative by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to promote public confidence to use therapists such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. You might also like to take a look at the BVCA’s website.

Osteopathy promotes looking at the body as a whole, assessing the underlying problem. It uses manual techniques to promote healthy functioning, by correcting mechanical imbalances within and between the structures (muscles, bones, ligaments, organs and fascia) of the body.

Some of the manual techniques are similar to chiropractic; direct and high velocity movements. Some are considered more indirect, involving massage and myofascial release techniques.

It is a recognised treatment for pain control for lower back problems in humans, and the principles and techniques used in dogs follow tried and tested techniques use on humans.

If considering using osteopathy on your dog, first seek the advice of your own vet. The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) is a new initiative by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to promote public confidence to use therapists such as physiotherapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. You might also want to take a look at the EVSO website.

Manual therapies include many disciplines (also chiropractic, osteopathy and Tellington Touch as featured in our growing list) such as massage, passive range of motion, stretching and myofascial release techniques. There are many “techniques” that have specific names and training such as Galen Myotherapy and Bowen.

Massage is an umbrella term that encompasses a huge array of overlapping manual techniques such as effleurage (long, gliding strokes), petrissage (lifting and kneading the muscles), friction (firm, deep, circular rubbing movements), tapotement (brisk tapping or percussive movements) and vibration (rapidly shaking or vibrating specific muscles).

Massage is well recognised in human medicine for restoring muscular and allied soft tissue health, as well as preventing injury and trauma. It promotes physical and mental well-being and is considered as part of a holistic approach to healthcare.

Massage is commonly used in companion animals to improve physical, physiological and psychological health. It can positively influence the body and all of its complex interlinked systems, such as the muscular, circulatory, nervous, digestive, urinary, respiratory, lymphatic and endocrine systems.

Massage can be provided by a qualified professional dedicated exclusively to manual work, such as a canine body worker. It can also be provided as one of an array of interventions by a qualified veterinary physiotherapist or rehabilitation professional. Some owners see such huge improvement in their dog that they undergo training themselves in order to be able to competently massage their own dog.

Massage and other manual therapies continue to grow and expand into many different forms. CAM founder, Hannah, was trained in Galen Myotherapy, which led to her establishing CAM.

Please visit www.galenmyotherapy.com to find out more about their courses, workshops and treatments.

The Tellington TTouch is a unique way of working with animals to help them overcome a variety of health and behavioural issues. It is a truly holistic therapy, taking into account the whole dog. It recognises a link between posture and behaviour and uses body work, ground work exercises and specific equipment to release tension and to promote a feeling of calm and wellbeing.

Observational work is an important part of TTouch.  Practitioners note the animal’s responses to stimuli, the posture, balance, movement and muscle development, heart rate and respiration, the texture and appearance of the coat and so on.  They feel for temperature changes, coarse or dry hair, tension in the tail, ears, legs and the mobility of the skin. They also pay close attention to the animal’s responses to contact on the body and his ability to negotiate the groundwork. They detect areas of tension and pain in a dog’s body and using hands-on gentle techniques elicit subtle local changes which appear to have unravelling effects elsewhere in the body.

The core belief of homeopathy is that ‘like cures like’; a substance that causes certain symptoms can also help to remove those symptoms. The scientific plausibility of homeopathic remedies is hotly disputed. There is no legal regulation of homeopathic practitioners in the UK. This means that anyone can practise as a homeopath, even if they have no qualifications or experience.

If you want to try homeopathy, CAM advises using a vet who offers homeopathy in addition to conventional veterinary practice. It is our duty is to relive a pet’s pain as quickly as possible. It is not acceptable to use on its own a therapy that may not take effect for some time.