Alternative pet therapies are becoming more popular with pet owners for their four legged loved ones. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care are being used to manage pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
According to “Eating Well” magazine, physical therapy such as stretching, treadmill walking, and swimming, will help dogs recover faster after surgery than those that only receive pain medications and rest. It will help strengthen their muscles and balance out areas of weakness that they may have acquired over time and injury. Acupuncture can also help manage injuries by producing a healing response from within the body. Small needles are inserted onto certain pressure points to balance energy flow. It is a safe way to help increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and release natural pain-controlling hormones. To help the body heal from the inside out and allow it to gain strength, chiropractic is effective and noninvasive. Chiropractic utilizes gentle manual manipulations to allow the spinal vertebrae and joints to align. Outcomes of a manipulation are increased range of motion, endorphin release, and nerve function improvement.
There is a time and place for traditional medicine, but when used in conjunction with alternative therapies, the outcome can be quicker, less painful, and more cost effective than traditional western medicine.
