Exercise & Fitness

There have been major advances in the medical management of arthritis in pets but only recently has taken the world of veterinary multitude of theories and therapies Additional widely used in the medical world. One of the most proven methods of maintaining mobility in arthritic joints is physiotherapy (also known as Physical Therapy) and more advanced problems of mobility are the most important of this therapy becomes free. In this article I hope to introduce the concepts and terminology of physiotherapy so that you can approach your veterinarian and see if it can benefit your pet.

Warming up before exercise

Everyone knows that you should warm up before exercise and this also applies to pets, especially if they have hardened the joints due to arthritis. Warming up literally means warming up the muscles. This reduces the stiffness of the ligaments, tendons and muscles and also greatly increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the extremities. One approach used in physiotherapy is to use warm compresses to emulate this warming transformation particularly in stiff joints. Simply take a hot towel and place in a plastic bag (please be sure that not too hot) and apply the stiffness. This is especially useful first thing in the morning when you wake up your pet as it is the time of the joints tha will be at their most rigid. Once the joints are hot they can be flexed and extended passively to increase lossening of muscle stiffness and connective tissues. Do this for 5 minutes before exercise and when their pet begins the day to help calm and prepare for stiff joints for exercise.

Regular low-impact exercise

Regular exercise, low stress is crucial to preventing muscle conditioning that occurs due to arthritic limbs poorly mobilized. Short walks and all are excellent, if not leave your pet too sore the day after exercise. Exercise helps you Lose Weight which reduces the load on arthritic joints. Compared to the long walks and short bursts of vigorous activity can worsen lameness by creating pain and inflammation. If your pet does not seem be sore after exercising, not exercising again until the pain has resolved. Restart the exercise gently to begin with. In particular, joint pain apply a bag of frozen peas to the articulation of fifteen minutes to reduce pain and inflammation

Cooling down after exercise

At the end of any exercise a short period of gentle exercise helps to "cool" the muscles below. Spend 5 minutes slow walk to the end of any exercise period.

Passive range of motion

One method that can be used to aid flexibility is flexion and extension passive joints. This is more commonly known as the range of passive motion exercises. Simply find your pet at his side, and from the foot of bending and enlarged joints through their natural range of motion. Continue up the leg all the way to the shoulder or hip. If this exercise you badly too not continue. Repeat passive motion in each joint around 20 times at least once a day.

Massage Techniques

The benefits of massage include increased lymphatic flow, improving the mobility of the muscles, increasing circulation to the area and relaxation. Any combination of the following techniques can be used on your pet. Some useful massage techniques you can perform at home are summarized below:

Pat
With the palm of your hand gently stroke your pet moving from head to tail or from shoulder / hip to toe.

Effleurage
With the palm of your hand apply even pressure. Effleurage follows the opposite direction of stroking (foot to body). Overlap strokes to cover the entire body area.

Percussion
Tap your pets body with a cupped hand brief contact with light. The "karate chop" hand position can also be used here and is similar to the techniques involved in Swedish massage.

Friction
Use the fingertips to make small rotary motions in the muscles of your pets.

Contact your veterinarian for further advice if your pet is suffering with their arthritis. Before making these verification techniques with your veterinarian that no reasons why you should not do on your pet and for instructions on how to perform the techniques correctly.

About the Author:

Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the experts at

www.WhyDoesMyPet.com
– Expert Answers for all your Pet Questions

Visit them today, you will be impressed by the quality of their pet experts and the speed with which your question is answered!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Physiotherapy for Arthritic Pets

Squishy on physio ball at Physical Therapy

Physio-Control Back Pouch $79.8 Physio-Control Back Pouch

Physio-Control Shoulder Strap $36 Physio-Control Shoulder Strap

Physio-Control Reusable Cuff, Adult, 14×37.5 cm $33 Physio-Control Adult Cuff – 14×37.5 cm Reusable

Physio-Control LIFE PATCH ECG Electrodes, 4/pk $7.75 Physio-Control LIFE PATCH ECG Electrodes

Physio-Control Top Pouch $54.6 Physio-Control Top Pouch: Storage for sensors and electrodes; insert in place of standard paddles.

Love being Physio Funny Women’s Light T-Shirt by CafePress $22 This appealing design is popular among physiotherapists. It’s a perfect saying for those in physical therapy occupations. It is colorful, striking, unique and is sure to brighten your day on the job. Funny Women’s Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Our 100% cotton women’s tee is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit.

Physio-Control Reusable Cuff, Small Adult, 12×30 cm $31.99 Physio-Control Small Adult Cuff – 12×30 cm Reusable

Physio-Control Reusable Cuff, Large Adult, 16×42 cm $37.07 Physio-Control Large Adult Cuff – 16×42 cm Reusable

Physio-Control Strip Chart Recorder Paper, 100mm x 22m, 2/bx $24.79 Physio-Control Strip Chart Recorder Paper, 100mm x 22m, 2/bx

Conmed R2 Pediatric Defibrillator Electrodes, Direct Connect to Physio Control, 2/pk $54.63 Conmed R2 Pediatric Defibrillator Electrodes, Direct Connect to Physio Control, 24″

Conmed R2 Adult Defibrillator Electrodes, Direct Connect to Physio Control, 2/pk $54.63 Conmed R2 Adult Defibrillator Electrodes, Direct Connect to Physio Control, 48″

Physio-Control Lifepak Battery Support System 2 $2058 Physio-Control Lifepak Battery Support System 2: Includes power cord and operating instructions (batteries not included).

Physio-Control FilterLine SET Adult/Pediatric, 10/pk $151.8 Features of the Physio-Control FilterLine SET Adult/Pediatric: Includes airway adapter. FilterLine (79″) for short-term intubated patients, 24 hours typical.

Physio-Control FilterLine SET Adult/Pediatric, 25/bx $288.2 Features of the Physio-Control FilterLine SET Adult/Pediatric: Includes airway adapter. FilterLine (79″) for short-term intubated patients, 24 hours typical.

Physio-Control Standard Carrying Case for LIFEPAK 15 Defibrillator/Monitor $327.7 Physio-Control Standard Carrying Case for LIFEPAK 15 Defibrillator/Monitor Includes right pouch and left pouch.

Physio-Control Lithium-ion Battery, 5.7 Amp Hour Capacity $475 Physio-Control Lithium-ion Battery, 5.7 Amp Hour Capacity: Rechargeable lithium-ion, with fuel gauge.

Physio-Control Masimo Rainbow Direct Connect Sensor, 3 ft $589 Physio-Control Masimo Rainbow Direct Connect Sensor connects directly from LifePak 15 monitor to patient using reusable sensor.

Physio-Control Masimo Rainbow Direct Connect Sensor, 8 ft $942.5 Physio-Control Masimo Rainbow Direct Connect Sensor connects directly from LifePak 15 monitor to patient using reusable sensor.

Physio-Control EDGE System Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector $52.8 Physio-Control EDGE System Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector for use with: LIFEPAK 12; LIFEPAK 20; LIFEPAK 20e; LIFEPAK 15

Physio-Control EDGE System RTS Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector, Pair $83.19 Physio-Control EDGE System RTS (Radiotransparent) Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector for use with LIFEPAK 12; LIFEPAK 20; LIFEPAK 20e; LIFEPAK 15.

Physio-Control EDGE System Fast Patch Electrodes, 5.95 x 5.24, Pair $34.31 Physio-Control EDGE System Fast Patch Electrodes, 5.95″ x 5.24″, Pair

Physio-Control ECG Printer Paper for LifePak 20/20e, 50mm x 30m, 3/bx $27.44 Physio-Control ECG Printer Paper for LifePak 12/20/20e, 50mm x 30m, 3/bx

Physio-Control Smart CapnoLine Plus with O2 Delivery Adult/Intermediate, 25/bx $392 Features of the Physio-Control Smart CapnoLine Plus: For patients above 44 lbs, O2 delivery and CO2 sampling via mouth or nose, 12 hours equals typical length of use.

Physio-Control Smart CapnoLine Plus with O2 Delivery Adult/Intermediate, 100/cs $1452 Features of the Physio-Control Smart CapnoLine Plus: For patients above 44 lbs, O2 delivery and CO2 sampling via mouth or nose, 12 hours equals typical length of use.

Physio – No Better Job Funny Hooded Sweatshirt by CafePress $45 This bright design is popular among physiotherapists. It’s a design that adds color flare to trendy tops gifts, making a funny conversation piece at the same time. A perfect gift idea for physio. Funny Hooded Sweatshirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt The hoodie: the perfect utilitarian piece of clothing. Leave your hat and scarf at home Stay warm and comfy in your Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt. This hoodie is constructed with a cotton/polyester blend – both durable and comfortable.Heavyweight 90

Physio – No Better Job Funny Golf Shirt by CafePress $20 This bright design is popular among physiotherapists. It’s a design that adds color flare to trendy tops gifts, making a funny conversation piece at the same time. A perfect gift idea for physio. Funny Golf Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Tee off in casual style. Our pique knit golf t-shirt is a comfortable, lightweight way to play 18-holes and beat the heat. Features, stylish white pearl buttons, yet it feels like wearing your favorite t-shirt. Dress it up or down. Throw a blazer over lat

Physio-Control EDGE System Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector & REDI-PAK System, Pair $55.19 Features of the Physio-Control EDGE System Electrodes: For use with: LIFEPAK 12; LIFEPAK 20; LIFEPAK 500; LIFEPAK 1000; LIFEPAK 20e; LIFEPAK 15 With QUIK-COMBO Connector and REDI-PAK Preconnect System

Physio-Control Station Battery Charger $1741 Features of the Station Battery Charger: AC operation for stationary applications, for use with the Lithium-ion battery (21330-001176). Includes AC power cord, mounting bracket and operating instructions. (Batteries not included.)

Therapy $4.99 No witnesses, no evidence, no body: Star psychologist Viktor LarenzÂ’s twelve-year-old daughter, Josy, who had suffered from an inexplicable illness, has vanished under mysterious circumstances during a visit to her doctor, and the investigation into her disappearance has brought no results. Four years later, Viktor remains a man shattered by this tragedy. He has retreated to a remote vacation cottage on a North Sea island, where a beautiful stranger named Anna Glass pays him a visit. She claims to be a novelist who suffers from an unusual form of schizophrenia: all the characters she creates for her books become real. While writing her most recent novel, Anna has been tortured by visions of a little girl with an unknown illness who has vanished without a trace, and she asks Dr. Larenz to treat her. Viktor reluctantly begins therapy sessions with the stranger, but very soon these sessions take a dramatic turn as the past is dragged back into the light. What really happened to Josy? Do AnnaÂ’s delusions describe JosyÂ’s last days? And is Larenz a danger to himself and others? Therapy is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller, an intelligent, fast and furious read that will stay with you for a long time after you have followed Viktor into the depths of his own psyche, and have figured out who Anna Glass really is.

Stone Therapy $24.99 Stone Therapy – Photographic Print

Ray Therapy $24.99 Ray Therapy – Photographic Print

BioSilk Silk Therapy 1000ml/34oz $142 Silk Therapy

Physio-Control Pediatric EDGE System RTS Electrodes with QUIK-COMBO Connector, 2/pk $63.19 Features of the Physio-Control Pediatric EDGE System RTS (Radiotransparent) Electrodes: For use with: LIFEPAK 12; LIFEPAK 20; LIFEPAK 20e; LIFEPAK 15 For use only on manual defibrillator/monitors. 12-month minimum shelf life at time of shipment.

Retail Therapy $9.99 Elizabeth Medley Retail Therapy – Art Print

Beach Therapy $12.99 Avery Tillmon Beach Therapy – Art Print

Group Therapy $49.99 Diana Ong Group Therapy – Giclee Print

Therapy II $12.99 Alece Birnbach Therapy II – Art Print

Monark PT-UBE HCI – Physio Trainer UBE $689 PhysioTrainer has an easy to read display that is self-powered. The display panel has a tilt feature that allows the user to clearly see the readouts whether the unit is being used on a tabletop or on the floor as a leg exerciser. The display shows your c

---