Movement therapy
Passive
movement
The passive movement of the joints serves to maintain or regain joint mobility. The production of synovial fluid is stimulated, the surrounding soft tissues are stretched, the muscle loss is slowed down and pain is relieved.
Passive exercise is used in degenerative joint diseases such as arthrosis, neurological disorders and paralysis, in old, immobile dogs and after surgery, when the dogs cannot move independently.
Active
movement/ Device therapy
The active movement therapy mainly serves the gentle and controlled muscle growth. At the same time, the mobility of the joints and the spine is promoted, coordination and balance are trained and the uniform loading of all four limbs is practiced.
Devices are often used for active movement (e.g. electric treadmill, slalom or cavaletti) or the therapy takes place in the swimming pool.
Other devices such as a rocking board, Airex mat or steps are used to perform stabilizing exercises. This is a special form of muscle training. The muscles become tense without changing their length. This so-called isometric training is particularly well suited for dogs who have pain during movement, as no joint movement is required.
Hydrotherapy
Therapeutic swimming
is the best way to build muscle. The animal no longer has its own weight when swimming, which relieves the joints enormously. This is especially beneficial for dogs with degenerative joint disease or spine problems.
The muscles are strengthened by overcoming the frictional resistance of the water.
Furthermore, dogs that had previously limped or dogs with paralysis are instinctively encouraged in the water to move the affected limb again.
And passive movements can be performed more easily in water, which is used for example in movement restrictions imposed by hypertonic muscles or spastic paralysis.
For swimming, the dog is put on a life jacket so that the therapist can control the movements of the dog.
Swimming is very exhausting for dogs and should not be underestimated!