Low-level laser is a newer advance in rehabilitation.  Unlike high-powered surgical lasers that are used to cut through tissues,these ‘cold’ (Class IIIB) low level lasers are non invasive, there are no reported adverse effects when used properly.  LLL is used in rehabilitation to help accelerate healing at the cellular level allowing increased tissue repair and cell growth of structures such as skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles.  It also has a therapeutic effect in the management of chronic pain, as seen with dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.  There are also studies showing that there is improvement seen with peripheral nerve injuries when LLL is utilized.

• Pain reduction: the intensive pulses transmitted from the hand piece to the tissue help inhibit the transmission of the pain signal (Gate Control theory)
• Increased metabolism: shock waves influence the tissue on a cellular level, promoting the release of pain inhibiting and inflammatory inhibiting substances
• Revascularisation: repeated shock waves influence the blood flow, promoting tissue healing and regeneration
• Reduced muscle tone: shock waves help restore a normalized muscular tone by reducing the impact of pain on muscle tone

TENS:

Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation decreases pain by providing a low level electrical current which disrupts the normal pain perception pathways. TENS may be applied to acupuncture points as well.

Neuromuscular Stimulation :

Using a low level electrical current, neuromuscular electrical stimulation decreases swelling and allows muscle contraction and recruitment after orthopedic or neurological injury.

Pulsed Electrical Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) provides pain relief from common problems associated with hip dysplasia, arthritis, muscle, tendon or ligament injury, and old-age stiffness and soreness. PEMF can help your animal feel better, usually within 1-2 weeks. You will commonly see a difference in the way your dog gets up and around in the morning, with less stiffness, and more bounce to his step. You will notice your pet enjoys PEMF therapy, because they doze off as they are being treated. It is relaxing and pleasant. Many times, a dog or cat will place the injured, sore area right on the PEMF bed.

For background on the principles of PEMF, it is believed that there is an electrical field around each joint that plays an important part in the continual regeneration of cartilage and connective tissue. If osteoarthritis or inflammatory joint disorders are present, there is a disturbance in this electrical field.  PST allows reconstruction of the disturbed electrical field, which returns the natural regeneration capabilities and reactivates the cartilage and connective tissue to increase production of proteoglycans and collagen (the building blocks of cartilage) to aid in repairing the cartilage defects.  PST does this by pulsing an electro magnetic field  to the treatment area.

We can  provide one week to one month rentals.

At Canine Wellness Centre, exercises are an integral part of each rehabilitation program we provide.  An exercise may be as simple as doing passive-range-of-motion (PROM) to improve or maintain a joint’s flexibility, to specific exercises geared to retraining an animal to walk after full or partial paralysis. Exercises are devised specifically for each individual client, to improve the overall recovery from the specific injury.  Here are some general types of exercise that we perform at Canine Wellness Centre:

• Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises increase nutrition availability at the joint cartilage, stimulate new cartilage production, and is used to increase range of motion at the joint.
• Stretching exercises increase circulation and muscle flexibility.
• Proprioceptive exercises are exercises used to help the animal know where their feet are in space.
• Strengthening exercises (stairs, underwater treadmill, caveletti’s, physio balls etc..) are used to strengthen individual muscles or muscle groups.
• Canine Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation flexibility exercises uses proprioceptive input to improve muscle flexibility and strength. Proprioceptors are sensory nerve-ending in muscles, tendons, and joints. They provide a sense of the body’s position by responding to stimuli from within the body.
• Ambulation exercises are exercises used to reeducate a paretic animal (severe loss of function of  their limbs) how to walk.

Massage has long been a component of human sports medicine and rehabilitative therapy, and it is gaining wide acceptance as a therapy for cats and dogs. Massage has many benefits: increases blood circulation

• improves oxygen delivery to tissues
• improves removal of metabolic waste products
• relieves pain by releasing endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers)
• accelerates muscle recovery
• breaks down scar tissue
• promotes mental and physical relaxation

Massage may have immediate benefits to a patient, but it usually takes regular treatments to bring about significant improvements in a particular condition. It is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities to enhance the effectiveness of those modalities.

Acupressure is the light pressure at specific points in the body to create a physiological change.  Acupressure has been used in human medicine for over 5,000 years, and in animals for over 3,000 years.  Current studies have demonstrated that these specific points have thinner skin, increased mast cells (which release histamine and other chemicals), blood vessels and nerve endings directly under the points, making them invaluable for overall wellbeing. Acupressure in rehabilitation is used to relieve pain and muscle spasms, and to increase nerve regeneration and circulation.

Osteopathy is a non-pharmacological, “hands-on” approach that encourages the body to heal itself by using the body’s intrinsic forces and corrective mechanisms to achieve homeostasis. Osteopathy views the body as a functional and holistic unit. The health practitioner serves only as a facilitator, not as a mechanic. This approach promotes long-term health and well being at the same time focuses on reducing any existing symptoms. Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and treatment with its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body.
Osteopathy – derived from the Greek words osteon (tissue) and pathos (feeling) – is essentially “feeling the motion of the tissues.” Developed in the U.S. in the early 19th century, founder Dr. Andrew Still discovered a direct relationship between the musculo-skeletal system and the function of the rest of the body. His understanding was that form/structure directs the function of specific joints, which led to his conclusion that inappropriate alteration in the structure can trigger dysfunction in other parts of the body.
Osteopathy Defined:
Osteopathy comprises many non-invasive, manual-therapy techniques: aDirect techniques, such as high velocity/low amplitude (chiropractic) and     muscle energy, aBiovalent Systems (Frank Lowen LMT), aCraniosacral techniques,aFunctional indirect techniques, aVisceral manipulation, andaStrain / counter-strain techniques.
These techniques are well-known to physical therapists; however, they are foreign in traditional veterinary practices. The emerging field of osteopathy in animal rehabilitation has tremendous potential to help dogs with back and shoulder problems, particularly agility dogs, canine athletes, older and service dogs or those hits by cars. A regimen of osteopathic treatment usually helps restore a dog’s normal function.

Canine Wellness Centre provides custom fittings for Doggone wheels dog carts.  These wheelchairs are great for dogs with mobility issues. Fast shipping and competitive pricing. We have learned that most dogs enjoy their life with wheels.

Call us for the cost of a fitting. which includes initial fitting and return vist to ensure proper fit.  (we do not mark up the cost of Wheels chairs, they are paid directly) check out some of our latest dogs in wheels

Cryo and heat therapy is the use of cold and/or heat over an injured or healing area of the body. Following an injury there are two phases of inflammation:  1) phase 1 inflammation, the breakdown period, which usually lasts 48 – 72 hours;  and 2 ) phase 2 inflammation, the healing period.

Cryotherapy, the use of a moldable cool pack or a bag of cold peas:

• Decreases nerve conduction velocity (which decreases pain perception)
• Decreases the rate of cytokine release (which decreases inflammation)
• Causes vasoconstriction (decreased blood flow) followed by a rebound vasodilation (increased blood flow)
• When used immediately after surgery or an injury, decreases bleeding at the surface and deep in the tissue.

Overall, cryotherapy is used to decrease pain and inflammation and speed healing. Cryotherapy is typically applied for 10 minutes, removed for 10 minutes, and then applied for 10 minutes for the first 72 hours post-surgery or injury (phase 1 inflammation).

Heat therapy, the use of a moldable heat pack or warm, moist towels:

• Increases the collagen’s (healing tissue) ability to stretch
• Increases blood flow
• Decreases pain
• Increases enzyme activity (which speeds healing).
• Increases muscle contractility and stretching capability

Like cryotherapy, heat therapy is used to decrease pain and inflammation and speed healing.  The difference is that cryotherapy is used by itself during phase 1 inflammation, and heat therapy is typically used along with cryotherapy during phase 2 inflammation.  Heat therapy should be used no earlier than 72 hours post-surgery or injury.  When cryotherapy and heat therapy are applied together, they are typically done as follows:  cryotherapy for 10 minutes; heat therapy for 10 minutes; cryotherapy for 10 minutes.  This sequence is repeated up to 3 times daily.