Rehabilitation & Pain Management
Pets whose lives have been compromised by injury, arthritis, or other debilitating conditions can regain their mobility, strength, and quality of life with the right program of physical rehabilitation and pain management.
That’s exactly what we provide at NorthStar VETS®, where Rehabilitation and Pain Management services are provided by a skilled team of veterinarians with advanced training and certification in canine rehabilitation, pain management, and acupuncture.
Based on a physical examination and thorough assessment of your pet’s medical history, physical challenges, and lifestyle—along with your goals for your companion—we’ll develop a comprehensive rehabilitation and pain management program tailored to your pet’s individual needs.
The Rehabilitation and Pain Management Services We Provide
Our physical rehabilitation veterinarians use the same equipment and techniques used in human physical therapy, including:
- Acupuncture
- Assistive devices (e.g., harnesses /slings, traction products), environmental adaptation recommendations
- Hydrotherapy (aquatic therapy)
- Manual therapy (massage, stretching, joint and/or soft tissue mobilization)
- Multimodal pain management (analgesic medications, supplements, recommended physical therapies and exercises, manual therapies, non-pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory devices – all utilized in combination to minimize the effects of pain on our pet’s quality of life)
- Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
- Therapeutic exercise to improve range of motion, strength, and balance
- Therapeutic laser therapy
- Thermotherapy (heat and ice)
When is Rehabilitation Appropriate For My Pet?
Physical rehabilitation can help restore strength, mobility, and quality of life in a variety of situations, including when your pet:
- Needs help recovering from orthopedic or neurologic surgery
- Is suffering from osteoarthritis
- Has weakness related to age or certain metabolic conditions
- Has neurological conditions such as intervertebral disc disease, spondylosis, or degenerative myelopathy
- Has sustained soft-tissue injuries
- Needs to lose weight
- Is a working dog or canine athlete and needs conditioning
Acupuncture
Acupuncture provides a holistic approach to animal health and is often used with conventional veterinary medicine. A branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, thin needles are inserted into specific points on an animal’s body to stimulate various physiological responses. By targeting specific and stimulating specific points, practitioners aim to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and support the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Health Benefits of Acupuncture:
- Pain Management: Provides pain relief for animals with chronic conditions such as arthritis, musculoskeletal issues, or post-surgical discomfort.
- Improved Mobility: Improves an animal’s range of motion and mobility, especially in older/senior pets.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Helps reduce tension and behavioral issues.
- Enhanced Healing: Boosts the body’s natural responses, making it useful in post-surgery recovery.
Acupuncture Supports the Following Healing Processes:
- Chronic Conditions: Animals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer may receive acupuncture to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
- Post-Surgery Recovery: Acupuncture can be a part of post-operative care to reduce pain and inflammation and promote faster healing.
- Neurological Disorders: Acupuncture may assist in the treatment of neurological conditions like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and nerve injuries.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: It can be used to address digestive problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Respiratory Conditions: Acupuncture may complement treatment for respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Skin Disorders: Some skin conditions, such as allergies and dermatitis, may benefit from acupuncture to help alleviate itching and inflammation.
- Immune System Support: Acupuncture may be used to strengthen the immune system and improve an animal’s overall health.
- Behavioral Issues: In some cases, acupuncture may help with behavioral problems, anxiety, and stress-related issues in animals.
Treatment Sessions:
For the first 4-6 treatments, we recommend weekly or bi-weekly 30-minute sessions to allow the body to acclimate. Holistic therapy is a gentle process and takes more treatments at the beginning to help the patient re-balance.
Once the pet is maintained and feels comfortable, most patients visit every 1-2 months for treatment. The majority of our patients see an improvement in their overall energy and quality of life after just one session.
To Refer a Patient or Schedule a Consultation With Our Physical Rehabilitation & Pain Management Department:
Call 609-259-8300 to schedule your appointment and complete pre-consultation paperwork.
Please call 609-259-8300 to refer a case or questions about in-hospital cases, or to discuss a pending case.
