Services

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the patient to produce a physiologic response. Stimulation of acupuncture points affects the nervous system and can lead to an increase in circulation, decrease in muscle spasm and the release of chemicals known as neurotransmitters and other hormones. These chemicals can decrease pain sensation and help regulate the immune system, among other effects. Acupuncture is used to treat various musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders. Acupuncture can also be used in patients following surgical procedures, thereby improving the patient’s comfort level and speeding up the post-operative recovery period.

Cryotherapy and Heat Therapy

Gentle cooling of inflamed tissues and joints helps reduce pain and swelling, while moist heat relieves stiffness and improves flexibility before exercise. Cold and heat therapy are common adjuncts to treatment plans in the rehab center, but please allow us to train you on safe and effective practices before you try these out at home.

Digital Thermal Imaging

Our veterinary specific thermal camera looks at the thermal gradients of your pet as a physiological map. When a digital thermal image is taken of your pet, this physiological map can help outline the precise anatomical areas where further evaluation may be needed. This diagnostic tool allows us to find potential problem areas much earlier, helps us to objectively measure the efficacy of our treatment plan, and assist with client communication and education.

DogTread Land Treadmill

Walking is perhaps the most simple therapeutic exercise, but one of the most valuable there is. Walking on a land treadmill is a commonly performed exercise for conditioning both overweight and athletic dogs, as well as encouraging limb use after surgery. Interested in getting your dog involved in a doggy bootcamp? Contact us today for information on how we can help your pet get fit and healthy today.

Electrical Stimulation (NMES/TENS)

Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) is the use of electrical impulses to an area of the body to stimulate nerves and muscles. E-stim is beneficial for a variety of conditions, including acute and chronic orthopedic and neuromuscular injuries, recovery from surgery, paralysis, and pain. There are two types of E-Stim that we use here at Michiana Animal Rehab…

Neuromuscular E-Stim (NMES): Stimulates nerves and muscles to prevent muscle atrophy (muscle mass loss) and strengthen specific targeted muscles.

Transcutaneous E-Stim (TENS): Stimulates nerves to facilitate pain relief and comfort. This therapy may also be taught to an owner during a demonstration session in order for the owner to provide the benefits of E-stim in their home environment.

Hydrotherapy Underwater Treadmill

Hydrotherapy utilizes the warmth, buoyancy and resistance of water in a controlled environment to provide an optimal setting for cardiovascular conditioning and physical rehabilitation. We offer hydrotherapy in the Underwater Treadmill to treat many conditions such as arthritis, post-operative recovery, obesity and spinal injury. Walking or swimming in water is also a great form of conditioning for healthy pets looking to excel in the sport of their choice or for active pets who need to burn off some energy.

Post-Operative Therapy

We offer a variety of services for animals pre- and post-operatively. The most common cases seen are cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and shoulder injuries. Reach out to your veterinarian today to see if we can help your pet get back to the activities they love.

Regenerative Medicine

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is a form of regenerative medicine that has been shown to help treat inflammatory conditions that affect your dog’s ligaments, muscles, and/or tendons, such as osteoarthritis. Since PRP therapy requires us to use the patient’s own blood to perform this treatment, side effects seem to be minimal but may include pain, irritation, or bleeding at the injection site. Patients often require sedation or general anesthesia when receiving PRP therapy, as it is a sterile procedure requiring our veterinarian to inject PRP directly into the affected joint or site. In many cases, multiple injections, 1-3 months apart, may be recommended for the therapy to be effective.

View video explainer.

Senior Pet Care

Arthritis, Quality of Life

Is your senior pet struggling to get around the house or chase after the ball like they used to? We offer a variety of treatments to help improve comfort, joint health and overall mobility in even the most arthritic of patients. Modalities such as laser therapy, acupuncture, massage, and targeted pulse magnetic field therapy are just a few ways we can help.

Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment for both acute and chronic lameness and/or pain. Shockwave therapy is the application of short, intense acoustic soundwaves applied over a specific location on the body to stimulate the body’s natural healing response for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Conditions commonly treated with our PeizoWave² Shockwave unit include arthritis, chronic back pain, tendon and ligament issues, orthopedic injuries, and trigger points.

Stance Analysis

The Stance Analyzer allows us to obtain objective measurements regarding the way your pet stands. We are able to evaluate where your pet is shifting weight in order to determine which limb, or limbs, may be affected.

Synovetin OA

Synovetin OA is a different kind of treatment for canine elbow arthritis. With Synovetin OA, 1 treatment is all it takes to give your dog up to 1 year of pain relief. Synovetin OA is dosed directly into the elbow joint and targets the source of the inflammation that leads to pain and causes your dog to limp. Learn more about this treatment.

Targeted Pulse Magnetic Field Therapy

Assisi Loop

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is a non-invasive therapy shown to reduce pain and inflammation while speeding up the rate of healing that you can do at home. We offer this modality through the use of the Assisi Loop and Respond System PEMF bed.

Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise is used in the treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal and/or neurologic systems as well as in patients who need conditioning and/or weight loss. Each session includes various types of exercise with use of appropriate equipment, tailored to your pet’s specific diagnosis and needs. This modality can improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination and can slow progression of disease, leading to an enhancement in mobility and better quality of life for your pet. This therapy may also be taught to an owner during a demonstration session in order for the owner to provide the benefits of therapeutic exercise outside of the clinic.

Therapeutic Massage

Similar to human physical therapy, we utilize manual therapy techniques to improve our patients’ physical and emotional well-being. Physiological benefits of massage include pain relief, improved joint mobility, relaxation, and increased circulation. Manual therapy includes joint and soft tissue mobilization, passive range of motion, and massage.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Therapeutic ultrasound harnesses ultrasonic sound waves, which, at varying frequencies, penetrate into affected muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints to increase blood circulation and promote healing. Ultrasound is beneficial for various conditions, including wounds, tendon and ligament damage, muscle relaxation, restricted range of motion and scar tissue, inflammation, localized swelling, and pain. Common conditions for therapeutic ultrasound include biceps tenosynovitis, iliopsoas strains, and ligament injuries.