Kiiko Matsuomoto Style – a Unique Approach to Back Pain in Dogs and Cats
Persistent back pain in your patient? Try Kiiko Matsuomoto Style, a modern twist on an ancient Japanese technique. Often in an initial appointment, new clients recount how their companion responded well to treatment for a specific problem (ranging from osteoarthritis to bladder stones), but they still seem “off”. Clinical parameters like range of motion are improved, but elusive discomfort lingers. Often I’ll note an exaggerated Panniculus reflex (especially over the...
Osteopathy to Improve Mobility After Routine Surgeries
Learn why osteopathy alleviates pain, restores freedom of movement and enhances the body’s innate healing abilities after routine surgeries. Osteopathy is a system of medicine based on manual manipulation. It alleviates pain, restores freedom of movement and enhances the body’s innate healing abilities. Though people often assume osteopathy is similar to chiropractic, it’s actually a whole body approach that considers fascia, viscera, vascular and lymphatic flow, and is not exclusively...
Efficacy of Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Thoughts From a Novice
Like many clinicians, I find it daunting to stay current with the many evolving topics in veterinary medicine. Photobiomodulation (also referred to as low-level laser therapy [LLLT] or cold laser) represents a particularly challenging modality to approach for several reasons. For one, colleagues who know more about LLLT than I do have a wide range of often strong opinions regarding its effectiveness. Also, the biophysics involved are less familiar to...
No Pain, All Gain: Becoming a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner
FEEL NO PAIN As a CVPP, a veterinary nurse can be more involved in the analgesic plan for their patients. Image: Sarah Stowman. Picture this: you’re stuck in a career rut. You love your patients, but vaccines and skin issues are just not floating your boat anymore. Are you a credentialed veterinary technician? Do you ever wonder about other career opportunities? Of course you do! Veterinary nurses are educated,...
Farrah: Hind Limb Lameness and Obesity Case Study
Farrah: Hind limb lameness and obesity case study Background Farrah, a 1.5 y FS Labrador, presented with a 6-month history of left hind limb lameness and more recent history of right hind limb lameness. She had possibly sustained an injury to her left tarsus when she was a puppy. Functional Limitations: Jumping up (bed and car), going downstairs, getting up from lying down Current medications: Rimadyl 150 mg, once a...
Lasers in Canine Physical Rehabilitation
Class III and Class IV lasers have important applications in physical rehab for dogs, but proper training in the use of this therapy is essential, both for veterinarians and technicians. My personal experience with lasers in veterinary physical rehabilitation began in 2005 with a 250mW laser used in my mobile rehab practice. At the time, any laser from 5mW to 500mW was considered Class III and was often referred to...
What Is the Fascia and How Does It Affect My Dog?
What if I told you there was a complex system in your dog's body that can greatly affect their posture, mobility, emotional well-being, and performance? The fascia is quite simply the tissue that holds you together! Injury and pain to one part of the fascia can have profound effects on the rest of the body. Knowing the role the fascia plays in the body, how it can be injured, and...
How Do I Start a Therapeutic Exercise Program With my Dog? 7 Key Principles
The benefits of a therapeutic exercise program If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, your veterinarian will likely tell you to make sure they get regular exercise. Exercise, including walking, is a great way to help strengthen your dog’s muscles and manage pain and lameness. Other benefits include strengthening the bond between you and your dog and helping them lose weight! But it needs to be done correctly! In...