Here the role of physical therapy is to preserve muscle mass, preserve rage of motion of affected joints and gradually challenge the healing tissues. Ultrasound Ultrasound itself will increase fibroblastic activity, hasten wound healing, increase acoustic streaming and hence promote healing in and around the area and will enhance cell metabolism. Massage Historically massage has been discussed as early as 1000 B.C. in Chinese literature. Recent studies indicate that massage will enhance spinal motor neuron excitability. No one can question the psychological or physiological effects of massage.
Massage can also remove exudate from an area, increase circulation and stretch collagen matrix.
Excercise Progression through an exercise program is dependent upon what we want our animal to do. We want to return them to function, whether they are doing bird work, coursing, or racing, functional exercises must be based upon what activity the animal has to perform. Some of the important aspects of passive range of motion is that a muscle needs to be relaxed, and movement must be performed slowly. Moving through the normal range of motion prevents contraction's from forming. By performing PROM, an animal's owner can get involved with their animal's home care as well.