Complementary and alternative therapy

techniques in animals c13See Romeo T. Cristina

http://www.veterinarypharmacon.com/page/online_courses

C.13.

Classification

Complementary and Alternativetehnicques

HomeopathyAcupunctureHidrotherapy

PhysiotherapyElectrotherapyLasertherapy

Magnetotherapy

MoxibustiaCriotherapyHeliotherapy

Physiotherapy has often been described under theheading of 'complementary medicine' or 'alternativemedicine'.

It is, in fact, neither 'alternative' nor a system ofmedicine but it is indeed complementary to othertherapies.

It is an ancillary or supportive therapy, which can be ofexcellent value in helping restoration of function,mobility and rehabilitation, after injury, prolongedveterinary treatment etc.P

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Source: http://www.ortocanis.com/en/content/30-electroterapia-en-perros

Objectives in physiotherapy:

Physiotherapy provide a functional assessment to

identify pain or loss of function caused by a

physical injury, disorder or disability and they use

techniques to reduce pain, improve movement and

restore normal muscle control for better motor

performance and function.

It does not help realign the bone rays;

It may be assisted by various equipment (laser,

ultrasound, hydrotherapy), but most often takes the

form of deep massage combined with exercises for

mobility;

Hydrotherapy

Common in post-operative recommendation for

rehabilitation.

Other reasons Ligament repairs (ACL&TPLO)

Arthroscopic surgery

Hip replacement/femoral head osteoectomy (FHO)

Ruptured disc/of spinal surgery

Bone or muscle injury

Arthritis

Hip/elbow dysplasia

Paralysis

Degeneration

Myelopathy

Muscle atrophy

Weight loss

Provide relief from pain and stiffness caused byconditions such as hip dysplasia, spinal injuries

Physical properties of waterMovement and exercise performed in water is very different fromthat performed on land. We are unable to simply transfer landexercises over to similar practice in water.There are several properties of water we must understand, inorder to develop efficient hydrotherapy programmes for animals.These include:

• Density

• Specific gravity

• Buoyancy

• Hydrostatic pressure

• Viscosity

• Surface tension

• Refraction

Density

The density of a substance is the relationship

between its mass and volume, measured in kg/m3.

Density increases with dissolved substances; hence

seawater is denser than pure water.

The relative density of a substance compares the

density of a substance using water as a standard.

If the ratio of an object’s specific gravity to that of

water is greater than 1.0; the object will tend to sink;

If the ratio is less than 1.0, the body will flotate.

Buoyancy

When a body is immersed in water, it is subject to the

forces of gravity and buoyancy.

The principle of buoyancy was discovered by

Archimedes. Buoyancy is the forced experienced as an

up thrust, which acts in the opposite direction to the force

of gravity. The body immersed in the water appears to

lose weight, and the weight loss is equal to the weight of

water displaced.

So the body at rest in water is subject to two

opposing forces:

Gravity – acting through the centre of gravity (COG);

Buoyancy – acting through the centre of buoyancy,

which is the centre of gravity of the volume of the

displaced liquid.

Hydrostatic pressure, Viscosity

Pascal’s law states that fluid pressure is exerted on all

surfaces of an immersed body, while at rest, and at

any given depth.

Pressure is directly proportional to the depth of the

part immersed and the density of the water.

Water viscosity decreases as water temperature

increases.

Implications for animal:

Left hind limb amputee swimming: COG

moves towards right, will rotate up on right

side to reach equilibrium.

A right hind limb held up in flexion: moves

COG to left will rotate down on the affected

side to reach equilibrium – a dog may

struggle to overcome this.

Spinal injured patients or those withasymmetrical tone may not be able to controltrunk rotation that occurs during swimming –may use buoyancy vest in early stages, butthen progress to the dog having tostrengthen trunk against moment of force.

Care with position of flotation devices as theywill alter buoyancy and, if asymmetrical, cancause the dog to tip over.

Benefits of hydrotherapy for animals:

Prevents atrophy

Increases in muscle mass and strength

Increases cardiovascular fitness and endurance

Increases joint range of motion, reduces stiffness

Increases soft-tissue extensibility

Reduces muscle spasm and hypertonicity

Increases tone in hypotonic body parts

Allows gradual progression and return towards more

normal function

Assists in management of oedema through hydrostatic

pressure

Provides relaxation

Reduces pain in joints with degenerative joint disease

Increases circulation and assists in promotion of healing

Contraindications to hydrotherapy for animals

Hydrotherapy is not recommended for animals withany of the following conditions:

Open, infected or draining wounds

Unhealed surgical incisions

Active gastrointestinal disease (vomiting and/or

diarrhea)

Elevated body temperature

Systemic compromise such as severe cardiac, liver,

kidney disease, hypotension or hypertension

Respiratory compromise or distress

Advanced debility

Uncontrolled epilepsy

Kennel cough in dogs (contagious)

Precautions

No animal should ever be left unattended while

participating in hydrotherapy in any form.

Faecal incontinence

Urinary incontinence if urinary tract infection

Older age animals

Extremely obese animals

External fixators

Skin problems

Ear problems

Epilepsy

Ultrasonotherapy

Indication:1) Useful to get rid of stiffness & decrease in flexibility of

skeletal muscle.

2) It improves range of motion of the joints.

3) Improves circulation to the scar tissue.

4) Decreases pain & muscle spasm.

5) Stimulates the resorbtion of calcium deposits e.g.

splints, spondylosis.

6) It Stimulates tissue repair by acoustic streaming &

promoting the healing of pressure sores by

increasing the rate of proteins synthesis by

fibroblasts & increased lysosomal activity.

Mechanism/effects:Physical properties:

a) Therapeutic frequencies of 1 MHz penetrates as deep as 4-6 cm into

the tissues;

b) Tissues with a high fluid content (blood, muscles) will absorb sound

waves better than less hydrated tissues;

c) Nerve tissue has high coefficient of ultrasound absorption.

Thus, use of ultrasound in treating peripheral nervous system is

encouraged.

Thermal effects:

Skin and subcutaneous fat can not absorb US well,

absorption takes place on the molecular level &

protein molecules are the major absorbers.

So the skin surface may remain cool while underlying

structures are heated.

This unique characteristic is ideal therapeutic option

for treating nerves, ligaments, tendons, joint capsule

& muscles.

Contra-indication:Blood vessels in the path of interacting US waves could

suffer thermal damages.

Infrared therapy

Indication:

• Subacute & chronic traumatic & inflammatory

conditions.

• Traumatic synovitis, tenosynovitis & sprain.

• Neuralgia, arthritis & rheumatic conditions.

• Acute, sub-acute & chronic catarrhal conditions of

mucous membranes & sinusitis.

• Infection of the skin, folliculate & furunclous.

Technique / Source:

• Natural- Sunlight (60%)

• Low temp. / Non-luminous / IR radial

• High temp. / Luminous / Heat lamps (distance- 2-3 feet,

duration - 10-15 min).

Mechanism:

The infrared stimulates local circulation;

Radiant heating causes vasoconstriction of the

capillaries & subsequent release of vasodilator

substances which again absorbed thus more

capillaries become active, hence the blood

circulation is increased;

Infrared exposure for a short time cause mild heating,

result in relief of pain;

While strong heat works as a counter irritant

stimulating the nerve endings.

Contra-indications:

Erythemalresponse

Electric shock

Injury to eyes

Faintness

Hypersensitivity followed by erythemia, wheel formation,

local edema & blistering

Ultraviolet therapy

Indication: General tonic effects

Chronic ulcers

Tuberculosis

Psoriasis, Acnee

Diagnostic use: in dermatological cases with

the aid of words lamp to detect fungal infection.

Techniques: Natural- sunlight

Mercury Vapour lamp

Fluorescent sun lamp

R.S. type suit lamp

Effects:

UV rays penetrate to a limited extent through body

surface;

UV rays cause erythemal production, pigmentation

& bactericidal effects;

Spectral band at 265.2 µm produces maximum

bactericidal effects;

UV rays produce local/regional analgesia when it

hits nerve endings;

Electrical stimulation

Indication: Paralysis

Muscular atrophy

Techniques: Continuous currents (DC) Galvanization

Induced currents (AC) Faradisation

High frequent currents- Dorsoalisation

Effects: Increasing muscle strength;

Improving muscle tone;

Decreasing edema and enhancing circulation;

Decreasing muscle spasms and pain;

Improves muscle strength by increasing muscle

contractile proteins;

Improves muscle endurance by increasing vascular,

aerobic capacity & mitochondrial size.

Moxibustion

This is really a more accurate term for the branch of

ancient oriental medicine than is described by our

modern word, acupuncture, which gives an impression

of needling as the dominant issue.

Modern Western culture has adopted acupuncture,

as needling, setting aside the potentially messy and

less convenient moxibustion techniques, that are so

integral to the original concepts.

Using one without the other is a little like a duet with

one instrument.

The origin of the use of heat as therapy is lost in the

mists of time. It predates history and it predates

needling and the understanding of acupuncture points.

The use of herbs likewise preceded human records.

Moxibustion combines both, integrating them with the

theories of meridians, Qi and yin-yang.

Moxibustion

Practical Application

Moxibustion can be applied directly or through

needles.

Moxibustion is usually the application of heat,

through the burning of specific herbs (e.g. mugwort:

Artemisia vulgaris), to replenish body heat (yang).

It counteracts the effects of 'cold' and 'dampness' on

the body and it serves to replenish and revitalize a

weakened or depleted body.

It is supplying a direct ‘injection’ of heat energy, into

specific points, to aid rebalancing, whereas needling

is simply moving that energy around the body.

Magnetic therapy

Magnetic therapy, more accurately termed magnetic

field therapy, is the use of magnetic fields,

generated by either permanent magnets or pulsed

electromagnetic fields, for treatment of medical

conditions.

Magnetic therapy

Magnets used for

treatment purposes come

in many different sizes

and strengths, and

duration of treatment

varies with the type of

magnet and condition

being treated.

Permanent magnets

come in strips, bars, and

beads, and are often taped

or glued to specific areas

of the body for prolonged

periods of time.

Magnetic therapy

Magnetic field therapy has been used for clinical treatment

of horses for several decades.

Since the size of the patient determines the size of the

magnetic field needed for tissue penetration, the original

PEMF equipment was inappropriate for use in small animals.

Improvements in technology have resulted in a relatively

recent expansion into small animal and ruminant practice.

What conditions are most oftentreated with magnetic therapy?

As a form of treatment, magnetic therapy is

most often used to enhance healing from

injuries and wounds or to treat chronic

conditions such as:

tendonitis;

degenerative joint disease;

hip dysplasia;

vertebral disease, and lameness caused by

other musculoskeletal or neurologic

conditions.

The strength of the magnets and the number of

magnets required is related to the type and size of

dog .

The smaller the dog the less magnetic strength is

required.

You must always be aware that the same rules apply

to animal magnets as those of human magnets;

there must be a minimum of 800 gauss / 80 m Tesla

to penetrate into the blood stream

No. of

magnetsStrength of

magnets

Size of dog

11,000-1,500 gauss /

100-150 m tesla

Toy –

Yorkshire terrier, Pikinese, miniature poodle, small

terrier,

11,000-1,500 gauss /

100-150 m tesla

Small –

Jack Russell, Poodle, Terrier, Sheltie, Larzarapso,

Whippet, Spaniel,

1-21,200-2,700 gauss /

120 270 m tesla

Medium –

Collie, small Labrador, Greyhound, small Boxer,

Bull dog,

21,700-3,000 gauss /

170-300 m tesla

Large –

German Shepard, Retriever, Labrador, Rotviler,

Doberman, Spaniel, Boxer, Irish wolfhound

2-32,000-3,000 gauss /

200-300 m tesla

Ex large- Great Dane, St Bernard, old English

sheep dog

11,000-1,500 gauss /

100-150 m teslaAll cats.

The table below gives an approximate guide to the strength

and number of magnets required to treat various dogs and cats.

Many thanks for yours attention!