{"id":891,"date":"2016-03-01T08:49:17","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T13:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarynurse\/?post_type=articles&p=891"},"modified":"2022-06-15T19:03:03","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T19:03:03","slug":"getting-started-in-physical-rehabilitation-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/rehabilitation\/getting-started-in-physical-rehabilitation-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started in Physical Rehabilitation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adapted with permission from the 2015 Tampa AAHA Yearly Conference Proceedings<\/em> (c) American Animal Hospital Association (aaha.org<\/strong><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

As veterinary technicians, we vow to further our knowledge and competence through a commitment of lifelong learning.1<\/sup> Physical rehabilitation is an exciting and challenging field in which veterinary technicians can develop new skills and grow in their career development. Over the past decade, awareness of animal physical rehabilitation has increased, and rehabilitation has become a rapidly growing service within veterinary specialty hospitals, referral centers, and primary care practices. Every day, we hear more about laser therapy and underwater treadmills, equipment not traditionally covered in the veterinary technician college curriculum.<\/p>\n

Learning more about rehabilitation enables veterinary technicians to better assist supervising veterinarians when physical rehabilitation therapies are recommended. This article aims to answer some basic questions about rehabilitation and how to become certified to work in this field as a veterinary technician.<\/p>\n

Overview of Working in Physical Rehabilitation<\/h2>\n

The greatest asset for effective physical rehabilitation is an educated veterinary team.2<\/sup> A rehabilitation veterinary technician should work under the direct supervision of a credentialed rehabilitation veterinarian who directs therapy.\u00a0The larger team may be made up of a credentialed physical therapist, the referring veterinarian, a veterinary specialist (e.g., surgeon, neurologist), a veterinary chiropractor, an acupuncturist, hospital support staff, the owner, and other trained veterinary professionals.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

The duties of a rehabilitation veterinary technician include assisting the supervising therapist in evaluating patients and performing prescribed therapies, keeping patient records up-to-date and accurate, and educating clients on how to perform home exercises. The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians strongly discourages anyone working as a rehabilitation veterinary technician unless the person has graduated from a certified rehabilitation school. Credentialed rehabilitation veterinary technicians can apply prescribed therapeutic exercises and physical modalities, some of which are described below.<\/p>\n

Therapeutic Exercises<\/h3>\n

Therapeutic exercises are a daily part of the rehabilitation veterinary technician\u2019s routine. The therapist chooses the exercises, and the technician carries them out. Exercises may focus on improving proprioception, balance, speed, endurance, focal strength, pelvic limb function, forelimb function, neurologic function, or land treadmill endurance training.4<\/sup> Therapeutic exercise equipment includes physioballs, cavaletti rails, balance blocks and discs, weights, tunnels, rocker boards, wobble boards, and treadmills (FIGURES 1 and 2)<\/strong>.5<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"FIGURE1.<\/a>

FIGURE 1.<\/strong> Balance discs are used to help patients improve proprioception. Image courtesy of shutterstock.com\/msgrafixx.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\"FIGURE<\/a>

FIGURE 2.<\/strong> Wobble boards are another type of equipment that can be used for proprioception exercises. Image courtesy of shutterstock.com\/msgrafixx.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Patient considerations such as motivation, footing, assistive devices, and leash\/harness control must be assessed before beginning any exercise program, and therapist\/handler body mechanics must be monitored to prevent injury.5<\/sup> Exercises are designed to address specific impairments, and each is described with a goal, a technique, and a progression.5<\/sup> Details of therapeutic exercises can be found in recent textbooks (BOX 1)<\/strong>; however, to fully understand and perform these therapies, certification in rehabilitation is necessary.<\/p>\n

BOX 1 <\/strong>Recommended Reading<\/div>
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