Hydrotherapy can be a great tool for rehabilitation. It is vital to understand the basics of hydrotherapy, including how the pool and underwater treadmills for dogs work together, what they accomplish, and how they can benefit the canine patient.
Hydrotherapy as a whole can help with a range of conditions such as orthopaedic, neurological and soft tissue injuries. Because of the pressure placed on the joints, it can sometimes be painful or strenuous to walk and move around on the land for your dog’s rehabilitation. Hydrotherapy involves water at a therapeutic temperature between 30-32 degrees C. Because of its weightlessness and warmth, it allows your dog to exercise comfortably to build muscle, strengthen, and improve comfort.
Hydrotherapy pool is also available for cats who are able to tolerate water. This allows feline friends with musculoskeletal conditions or other conditions to exercise in an environment that is non-weight bearing. It helps increase soft tissue flexibility and strength.
The overall benefits of canine hydrotherapy
Stiffness, pain, swelling, or relief
Sensory perception is improved
Spasms and muscle tension are reduced
Fewer concussions on the joints
Increases the range of motion
Muscle strength can be increased and maintained
Increases cardiovascular fitness
Mobilities improved
Emotional wellbeing (releases endorphins).
Canine hydrotherapy can be as beneficial because of the many therapeutic properties of water. The therapist can use these properties to adapt the session to suit the needs of each patient, maximizing the therapeutic benefits.
The following are the main water properties, and their effects:
Buoyancy – Creates an environment of weightlessness that relieves pressure on joints. It also supports weak muscles.
Hydrostatic pressure: This is a pressure applied to the body that reduces pain and swelling.
Resistance – This can help build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness
Temperature – Warm water can increase elasticity, circulation, and relaxation, which contributes to pain relief as well as improving movement.
The hydrotherapy pool has many benefits
Your dog can exercise in the hydrotherapy pool without having to lift a weight. This property allows for a wide range of motion in a controlled, comfortable environment. It also prevents concussive forces from affecting the limb.
The hydrotherapy pool is a very useful tool for orthopaedic problems such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. The buoyancy of the water creates an entirely weightless environment which reduces pressure on joints and helps to restore strength and function. The hydrotherapy pool is a safer alternative to traditional exercise.
The hydrotherapy pool can be integrated into rehabilitation programmes to increase active range of motion. It is lightweight and allows for comfort while also aiming to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Benefits of the underwater treadmill
The underwater treadmill offers a lower weight bearing environment than the hydrotherapy pool. This can be modified by the therapist. Because of the water’s properties, the treadmill belt is less pressure than land-based exercises.
The underwater treadmill offers a controlled environment where the therapist can adjust the speed, duration and incline to target different areas. This is a great way to build muscle mass and improve proprioception. This is commonly used for soft tissue injuries, neurologic conditions, and post-surgery in order to promote muscle building early and gait reeducation.
These two things can be combined
The rehabilitation plan often includes both the underwater treadmill as well as the hydrotherapy pool. This is because we believe that a multimodal approach can prove to be very beneficial.
