*Pictured above  is Otter during an Underwater Treadmill session with his owner, Dr. Rosemary J. LoGiudice. Please note that during underwater treadmill sessions, there is always a therapist in the treadmill with every patient in addition to most patients wearing a flotation vest for their safety. Otter is an example of a well conditioned dog using the underwater treadmill for maintenance of conditioning.

About IVRSM

Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine (IVR / IVRSM) provides Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Physical Conditioning and Integrative Veterinary Medicine for dogs and cats. Our multi-modal approach includes comprehensive physical evaluations and therapies such as therapeutic exercises, veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (VSMT) / Animal Chiropractic, therapeutic massage, therapeutic laser (photobiomodulation), therapeutic ultrasound, underwater treadmill, land treadmill, and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) in-house therapies. Each of our doctors and therapists are certified in canine rehabilitation. Our massage therapist is certified in canine massage and myofascial release.

We offer a fully equipped rehabilitation facility and our staff offer advanced rehabilitation techniques. We aim to provide significant improvements in the quality of life of our patients through our therapies. We believe that an individually tailored program for your pet is the most effective way to address conditioning and rehabilitation challenges. 

When you call to schedule your pet's initial evaluation with one of our certified veterinarians, we will ask you questions about your pet that will help us to prepare for your first visit. Prior to your appointment, we will request pertinent medical information from your primary care veterinarian, such as radiographs and other imaging results, and detailed medical records. Your pet will be evaluated by one of our veterinarians, which includes a medical history review, physical examination, gait analysis, limb measurements (if required) and pain assessment. Based on the information collected, your pet's individual treatment program is developed.

Our therapy sessions can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes per therapy and may include hydrotherapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, massage, veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (VSMT or chiropractic), and more. The duration of a rehabilitation/therapy/conditioning program depends on your pet's condition and response to therapy. Each program may be modified according to a pet's response. 

We would love the opportunity to help your pet with their rehabilitation therapies or conditioning needs. 

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Rehabilitation Therapies

Hydrotherapy/Underwater Treadmill​

As is the case with humans, hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial for pet rehabilitation. The low-impact in an underwater treadmill session is useful for both rehabilitation and excercise, but without the negative impact on the joints. Since a variety of muscle groups are used in these sessions, your pet gets a more well-rounded and complete workout. Underwater treadmill sessions are ideal for a pet recovering from orthopedic surgery, neurological conditions, and older pets with arthritis or mobility issues. 

Laser Therapy - Photobiomodulation

Therapeutic laser uses high frequency light energy, which penetrates deep into the tissues, creating a variety of beneficial changes. The targeted cells release a variety of chemicals which can improve circulation and reduce inflammation. In some ways similar to acupuncture, laser therapy helps with the release of endorphins, relaxing muscles and elevating a pet's mood. Therapeutic laser can be used to help a pet with pain, decreased circulation, tendonitis, bursitis, capsulitis, scar tissue, muscle spasms, inflammation, arthritis and more.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology has a variety of uses in modern medicine. They are frequently used as a powerful diagnostic imaging tool for both the detection of change in internal organs and for the neonatal imaging during pregnancy. Ultrasound works by sound waves that bump into each other, causing vibrations in tissues, that create energy. At certain wavelengths, this can create an image. At other, therapeutic wavelengths, these sound waves that cause microscopic air bubbles stimulate cell membranes and promote healing. At the proper wavelengths, therapeutic ultrasound elevates tissue temperature, increasing circulation, loosens tightened tissue, and increases cell metabolism. These changes result in decreased inflammation, decreases in muscle spasms, facilitation of tissue healing, decreased scarring, and muscle relaxation.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES or TENS) is a therapeutic modality used to both strengthen muscles and for pain relief. It is applied by placing electrode pads against the skin or coat with a conductivity gel. At lower frequencies, electrical stimulation is commonly known as a TENS (therapeutic electrical neuromuscular stimulation), and stimulates sensory fiber recruitment, resulting in acute pain relief. At higher frequencies (NMES) motor fibers are recruited resulting in muscle strengthening. NMES is most often used in patients that are too weak to move certain muscle groups. By utilizing this tool, we can strengthen the weak muscles to a point where they can start to contract on their own. TENS units can be used for pain management at any point in the rehabilitation process.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for more than 3000 years for the treatment of multiple ailments. It relies on the stimulation specific points on the body (acupoints) by inserting very thin, painless needles (usually about the thickness of a strand of hair), resulting in a therapeutic response.  Scientific research has validated that most acupuncture points correlate with areas of high-density nerve fibers, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. When these points are stimulated, a physiologic reactions results in local release of beneficial neuro-chemicals that help alleviate pain.In addition to this local effect, the systemic benefits of acupuncture result from the release of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, such as beta-endorphins and serotonin – these chemicals are responsible for the feel good effect of acupuncture. The benefits of acupuncture can be immediate, or they can be realized over several days and/or treatments, depending on the underlying condition. Overall, we know that acupuncture broadens our ability to treat certain ailments in your pet.
In our rehabilitation setting acupuncture has been proven effective in the treatment of musculature problems such as arthritis, back pain/disk diseases and other neurological problems like paresis.

Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (VSMT/Chiropractic)

Veterinary spinal manipulative therapy is the treatment of joints in the body, including spine, head, legs, ribs and tail that have restricted mobility, causing tenderness and often pain.  When these areas receive a properly applied correction, which requires extensive knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and neurology, information is sent to the spinal cord and brain to relieve pain and allow freer movement of muscles and joints.  The brain is also affected positively due to endorphin release as a result of each adjustment, allowing a happier attitude and improvement of neurologic and organ function. As in Chinese medicine, young animals may need only an occasional treatment to keep them healthy and moving comfortably, but older or ill animals may need to be seen more frequently.
Canine athletes can stay competition ready with regular care through VSMT.  Improvement of the neurologic system allows muscles to be balanced and strong with no pain to impede their function.

Massage

Massage is a non invasive method to treat the muscle tension secondary to spinal and joint diseases. In neurological patients, massage can improve muscle tone and sensory awareness. Various techniques can be used to increase blood flow/oxygen to an area, and remove metabolic waste. Lymph and venous return can also be increased, and tightening of fibrotic areas, called adhesions, can be reduced. These mechanical effects can accelerate muscle recovery and therefore increase joint and muscle function. Pets can also benefit from the release of endorphins that massage stimulates, which will results in pain relief and also decrease anxiety. Overall, massage therapy is another tool that we use to help manage musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and neurologic conditions. It is very therapeutic and enjoyable for pets and often serves to strengthen the bond between our patients and physiotherapists.

Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise can provide a wide range of benefits for veterinary rehabilitation patients. It can be used to increase range of motion, flexibility, endurance, strength and proprioception. Exercise can help dogs recover more quickly from surgical procedures or injuries, promote functional independence, and keep canine athletes at peak performance levels. 
Many therapeutic exercise options can be used in canine rehabilitation — exercises that increase joint mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance. Ultimately, however, the skills and training of the therapist are what bring the benefits of therapeutic exercise to canine patients.