Canine Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Exercise
Canine rehabilitation exercises are essential for restoring mobility, strength, and function after injury, surgery, or chronic illness. My evidence-based exercise programmes are designed to alleviate pain, improve joint range of motion, restore balance, and promote effective tissue healing.
Tailored therapeutic activities like balance training, controlled strengthening, and gait training help your dog return to normal activity while minimising the risk of re-injury. Ultimately, my rehabilitation approach not aids recovery but also enhances overall quality of life, supports cardiovascular fitness, and keeps ageing or arthritic dogs active and comfortable.
Does your Dog Need Rehabilitation?
Canine rehabilitation may be highly beneficial for your dog in the following circumstances:
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Following a recent accident, trauma, or injury that has led to restricted movement or discomfort
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After undergoing surgery, to support optimal recovery and restore function
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If your dog has developed generalised or localised muscular weakness
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For senior dogs experiencing age-related degenerative changes, such as arthritis
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A tailored rehabilitation programme can help restore mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance your dog’s overall quality of life.
Pre-Rehabilitation & Pre-Surgery Exercise
Rehabilitation is not just for after an injury or surgery. Pre-rehabilitation, or “prehab,” prepares your dog’s body for surgery or intensive treatment by improving strength, mobility, and stability. Targeted pre-surgery exercises can reduce post-operative recovery time, minimise complications, and help your dog regain normal function more quickly.
Post Surgery
​​Post-surgical rehabilitation is essential for ensuring a smooth recovery after orthopaedic or soft tissue surgery in dogs.
Following surgery, dogs may experience, muscle tension, reduced mobility, and compensatory movement patterns that can hinder their healing process if not managed properly.
A structured rehabilitation programme is designed to restore normal movement, support tissue healing, reduce stiffness, and minimise the risk of secondary injuries.
My treatments, which include myofascial release and soft tissue therapies, are integral to this process, alongside tailored exercises and strengthening programmes to enhance mobility and muscle function, all under veterinary guidance for optimal long outcomes.
Conditions Benefiting from Prescribed Rehabilitation Programmes
Orthopaedic Conditions
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Osteoarthritis (OA): The most common condition, rehabilitation helps manage pain, improve joint mobility, and maintain muscle mass.
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Cruciate Ligament Injuries: Crucial for both post-surgical recovery (e.g., TPLO, TTA) and the non-surgical management of partial tears to restore strength and stability to the knee (stifle) joint.
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Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: For these developmental conditions, rehab focuses on strengthening supporting muscles, managing pain and inflammation, and slowing the progression of secondary arthritis.
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Fractures and Dislocations: Post-operative rehabilitation is essential for regaining strength and function, as prolonged immobilization can lead to muscle atrophy and joint stiffness.
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Patellar Luxation: Also known as a "floating kneecap," rehabilitation can be used to manage this condition conservatively or support surgical correction, especially in smaller dogs.
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Tendon and Ligament Injuries: Strains, sprains, and tears, such as Achilles tendon injuries, respond well to physiotherapy to aid healing, manage pain, and prevent re-injury.
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Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD): A condition involving abnormal cartilage development, where rehab is used to manage symptoms and support recovery, often after surgery.
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Musculoskeletal Injuries: This includes issues like medial shoulder instability, iliopsoas strains, and biceps tendinosis.
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Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) & Spinal Injuries: While neurological, these conditions often have a significant musculoskeletal impact, and rehab can help with coordination, balance, and muscle function.
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Amputation: Rehabilitation helps dogs adapt to mobility aids and learn to move effectively on their remaining limbs.
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Weight Management: Obesity exacerbates joint problems; rehabilitation provides a safe, tailored exercise regimen for weight loss and improved fitness
Neurological Conditions
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Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): A very common condition where disc herniation causes spinal cord compression, leading to pain, weakness, or paralysis.
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Spinal cord injury/trauma: Physical damage to the spinal cord resulting from accidents or trauma.
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Spinal fractures and abnormalities: Structural issues with the vertebrae that can compress the spinal cord or nerves.
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Peripheral nerve injuries/disorders: Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle atrophy (wasting) and loss of function.
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Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis: Compression of the nerve roots in the lower back, common in large breeds.
CNS Disorders
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Degenerative myelopathy (DM): A progressive disease affecting the spinal cord that eventually leads to hind limb paralysis. While incurable, rehabilitation helps slow the progression of symptoms and maintain muscle mass.
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Vestibular disease: Often idiopathic in elderly dogs, it causes a sudden loss of balance, head tilt, and nausea (similar to vertigo in humans).
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Stroke: (Cerebrovascular accident): Interruption of blood flow to the brain, which can cause weakness and coordination issues.
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Cervical spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler syndrome): A condition, often seen in giant breeds, where spinal cord compression in the neck leads to an abnormal, "wobbly" gait
Weight Management
Obesity exacerbates joint problems; rehabilitation provides a safe, tailored exercise regime for weight loss and improved fitness. I offer focused care weight management clinics
I am a licenced coach with the canine conditioning Academy delivering science-based fitness and conditioning programmes
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The CCA Programme uses specific, targeted and measurable core strengthening exercises and stretches that will transform any dog’s core stability, proprioception, balance and flexibility
Canine Conditioning Programmes
As a Canine Conditioning Academy trained coach, I can deliver programmes that are tailored to your dog’s fitness needs.
These aim to:
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Build muscle
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Improve core strength and prevent injuries
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Enhance flexibility
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Develop balance, proprioception and co-ordination
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Target specific muscle groups
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Be mentally stimulating for your dog
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Increase your dog’s confidence and focus
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Be enjoyable for your dog!
Visible Improvements
The fitness courses are based on scientific research and are extremely effective and suitable for:
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Pet dogs to help with fitness and weight management
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Sporting dogs to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury
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Puppies & young dogs to set them up for success, assuring all exercises are safe and beneficial
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Senior dogs to help with mobility and comfort
What's Included?
A programme includes:
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Assessing your dog’s condition, posture and gait using static, dynamic and range of motion analysis techniques
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Prescribing a fitness/conditioning programme that is tailored to suit your dog’s individual needs
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Professionally taught conditioning classes at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels
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Obtaining measurable goals in conditioning and fitness, with regular feedback
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Online support and optional video feedback
Sessions Available
I offer a variety of sessions, tailored best to suit your dog’s needs:
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1-2-1 classes
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Tailored Sessions for Senior Dogs, Puppies, and Canine Athletes
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Group sessions
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Sessions also available for sporting clubs
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A conditioning class can also be combined with a clinical canine massage treatment
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Equipment Loan Scheme
Rehab and fitness equipment can be costly, so to support our clients, I offer a short-term equipment loan scheme—free of charge for dogs undergoing a prescribed rehabilitation programme at East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Therapies.
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Available Equipment for Loan Includes:
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Cavaletti poles
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PEMF electrotherapy mat
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FitPaws & TotoFit balance equipment
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Dog steps (indoor & car)
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“Help ’Em Up” mobility harnesses
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Pet stroller/prams
