WHAT IS HYDROTHERAPY (THE TECHNICAL BIT!)

“Hydrotherapy” comes from the Greek word meaning “Water Healing”. It is the treatment of weightless exercise in warm water which will assist in the healing of painful joints.

The warmth of the water is very important in any healing process. It provides pain relief and will improve blood circulation. This will help to relax the muscles and relieve any form of stiffness within the joints.

Hydrotherapy is especially helpful in the management of obese dogs.

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

Whilst the dog is buoyant in water, the body is also affected by a pressure known as hydrostatic pressure. At a given depth an equal pressure is exerted on all surfaces of the dog.

Together with the cohesive properties of water, this will help to massage the affected area as your dog pulls itself through the water.
Hydrostatic pressure can also reduce a dog’s perception of pain, allowing them to perform movements they would find very difficult on land.
This will help increase muscle building, improve range of movement and joint stability, whilst also improving cardiovascular fitness and mental wellbeing of your dog.

Hydrotherapy is beneficial post orthopaedic surgery.

The buoyancy properties of water reduces the pressure on the limbs, so exercise can begin much earlier than on land.
Hydrotherapy is not just for dealing with muscle injury, it can also be very effective for neurological conditions especially when used alongside physiotherapy.

HYDROTHERAPY HAS SPECIFIC EFFECTS ON BODY TISSUES

• Relief of pain, swelling & stiffness
• Muscle strengthening and maintenance
• Alleviating muscle spasm
• Increased range of motion in joints
• Improved circulation
• Cardiovascular fitness (heart & lungs)
• Increased tissue healing
• Increased speed of recovery

LUNGS

The heart has to work harder in order to meet the increased demand for nutrients by all the muscles which are being worked, If this all sounds like hard work – it really can be!

For most dogs a short walk in the Underwater Treadmill is extremely challenging as a workout.

RANGE OF MOVEMENT

A decreased range of motion can often be due to pain, swelling and stiffness. The dog will have an increased range of movement (flexion and extension) when it is in the water due to reduced pain and swelling, this will allow the range of movement to further improve.

THERMAL PROPERTIES

It is crucial that the water is kept at 28-32 degrees centigrade which is considered to be the best temperature for dogs. This will prevent the body from cooling on immersion and also prevent overheating during the treatment programme. This thermal effect will warm superficial joints during exercise and improve circulation, very important for both soft tissue injuries and arthritic joints.

INCREASED CIRCULATION OF BLOOD TO THE MUSCLES

Warm water increases the circulation of blood to the muscles, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients and flushing away waste products, leading to muscle relaxation and a reduction in pain and stiffness. Improved circulation reduces swelling around an injured area and enhances healing.