Passive Range of Motion (PROM): Simply, moving the joint or limb through its normal range of motion without active muscle contraction and without weight bearing.
- Why is this important? Simply….animals bodies were made to move. The way that blood flows into the limb, and lymph and toxins flow out of the limb, is triggered by movement. So even a paralyzed limb needs to move. With movement, sensation is triggered and reflexes are reminded of their purpose. With movement, your pets muscles stretch through their range and remain fluid instead of contracting into scar tissue.
- How is it done? Very simply, holding your pets limb and moving it for the pet in its normal pattern. It is sometimes combined with stretching to attempt to return range of motion to an area where it has been diminished.
- For example? After knee surgery, patients should have PROM within 2 hours of surgery, moving the leg in a bicycling fashion. This movement increases blood flow to the knee bringing in healing factors for the immune system and delivering pain medications to the painful area more effectively. It increases lymph flow allowing drainage of swelling. This physical therapy stretches out muscles that have been in an unnaturally motionless state during anesthesia reducing stiffness as the patient becomes active again.
Active Range of Motion (AROM): The animal moving its own limb without weight bearing.
- Why is this important? Muscles and nerve patterns are coordinated for movement in a limb. If your pets muscles can continue to do their job, even in a limb that can’t yet bear weight, the stronger and more coordinated it will be when the pet is back up on her feet. Active range of motion has all the benefits of PROM as well.
- How is it done? Two main ways – by reflex or by resistance. A reflex movement is one that requires no conscious control. Think of the reflex when the doctor hits your knee with a reflex hammer. That reflex requires nerves to fire and muscles to contract whether you are aware of moving it or not. Resistance is pulling gently on the limb and having the pet pull to get it back.
- For example? For a paralyzed pet that is recovering from back surgery, in our manual physical therapy we will pinch their toes enough to induce the withdrawl reflex. The knee will bend and the hip will flex inducing all the muscles in the leg to contract. Even though at this point the pet may have no awareness that its toes are being touched, its muscles are maintaining as much as possible so they are ready for the next phase of recovery.
Pet Massage: The rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands.
- Why is it important? We all think of massage as a relaxing day at the spa, but the medical benefits of pain relief, toxin disruption, and increased blood flow are well studies and documented. The relaxation can help soothe a pet that is fearful of their pain. Pet Massage can be done simply for these reasons to an affected area, as well as treat compensatory discomfort.
- For example? An animal that is limping on her right front leg usually has knots of tissue in the left lower back and hip region. Massage of the injured area of your pet and also releasing the compensatory knots, called “trigger points,” will create better movement and comfort over all.
Joint mobilization: Movement within the confines of the joint itself stretching the joint capsule and releasing immobile tissues of the joint.
** Please note: Joint mobilization should ONLY be done by a veterinary rehabilitation practitioner that has received training and has experience and not on an injury that is not yet diagnosed.
About Healing Arts Animal Care
Healing Arts Animal Care in Beaverton, Oregon provides veterinary acupuncture, pet rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy and athletic conditioning and Animal Massage Therapy for the dogs and cats of the Portland, Oregon Metro Area including Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Tualatin. We strive to create a team among you, your pet, your veterinarian and ourselves to create a whole package of care for your pet including wheelchairs for dogs. Pets come through our door knowing that we’re going to have fun here and this isn’t “another trip to the vet.” Through manual therapies, acupuncture, laser, ultrasound, underwater treadmill and creating a tailored individual home exercises, we strive to bring your injured pet back to speed, keep your elderly pet as an active member of the family, return your obese pet back to a functional friend and keep your athletic pet at the peak of his performance.
