Treatments

Physiotherapy Treatment from a Chartered Physiotherapist Working with Animals.

Chartered Physiotherapists working with animals are specialists in delivering individual physiotherapy programmes to animals. Many ACPAT members also work in human physiotherapy in a diverse range of specialities. Many of our members are involved in post graduate research up to PhD level, teaching physiotherapy students and delivering high quality training to other para-veterinary professionals.

Chartered Physiotherapists have all trained in human physiotherapy and worked in practice before upgrading to work with animals. The considerable experience gained in the human field develops skills which are largely transferable to animal physiotherapy. Their experience and specialities are diverse and therefore treatment programmes may be highly specialised.

All Chartered Physiotherapists abide by the standards for fitness to practise set by the Health Professions Council (HPC) * and the Rules of Professional Conduct set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). This ensures they adhere to the highest standards of health and safety, record keeping, professionalism, competency and all maintain full public and professional mal practice indemnity.

Your Physiotherapy Appointment.

All treatment of animals is undertaken following veterinary referral or consent. You should expect to be asked to give your written consent for physiotherapy to any animal you own or is under your care. Your physiotherapist may also discuss the case with any other person involved in the care of the animal with your permission.

All Chartered Physiotherapists are required to keep accurate records of a full veterinary and husbandry history for each animal. The assessment will vary for each animal, but may include observation, movement/gait assessment, palpation (hands on). For horses, this might include a ridden assessment.

Treatments

Physiotherapy covers a huge range of treatments. Chartered Physiotherapists have specialist knowledge in anatomy and biomechanics, physiology and pathology and use the detailed assessment to tailor treatments to each animal, its condition and the stage of the problem.

The main types of treatments that a Chartered Physiotherapist may use are:

• Hands on techniques – manipulation, massage, myofascial release, trigger point release, reflex inhibition techniques, specific stretches etc.
• Electrotherapy - Ultrasound, laser, muscle stimulation, TENS, interferential, pulsed electromagnetic energy, H wave etc.
• Exercise therapy - rehabilitation programmes, core stability exercises, sport specific training, Hydrotherapy.
• Advice and education – handling and posture advice, exercise advice, education of conditions and management.

The range of conditions treated is vast but the most common are:

• Orthopaedic conditions – conservative or post surgical management
• Neurological conditions
• Sports injuries
• General muscular, joint and spinal pain and injuries
• Performance problems or enhancement of the sporting or working animal

Physiotherapy practice in animals is expanding into other specialist areas such as respiratory care, orthotics and balance disorders. If you have an unusual case and want to know if a Chartered Physiotherapist can help, please contact us for advice.

* Chartered Physiotherapists who only work with animals are not required to be registered with the HPC but they are still professionally regulated by the CSP and ACPAT and are expected to maintain the same professional standards as set by the HPC.