Let's Jump Into Hydrotherapy!What exercise requires you to use all the muscles in your body? You got it...swimming! Just as with many other holistic therapies, hydrotherapy is for both humans and pets. It is simple and easy to do. In fact, you can jump in the water, if you have a pool, and help them exercise as instructed by a professional. What is hydrotherapy? It is cardio exercise in warm water, usually in a pool, which eliminates stress and pain put on the joints and muscles typically brought on by their body weight. It is great for many reasons, but to list a few, it contributes to overall fitness, muscle tone and rehabilitation from surgery or a chronic condition. Water therapy is usually followed up with other therapies, such as massage and acupuncture. What are the techniques used? There are a few techniques:
The swimming pool is for recreational swimming and general exercise. If you can imagine a treadmill underwater in a huge tank, that is what an underwater treadmill looks like. This is used to help strengthen muscles, gain mobility after orthopedic surgery and neurological issues. During the time that your pet's rehabilitation progresses, the water level decreases and the speed increases. An endless pool has water jets, which create currents. Dogs receiving therapy, swim against smooth, even currents providing a focused workout. The currents can be adjusted according to ability and fitness level. This is a great therapy solution for overweight and arthritic dogs. Typically, you will need your veterinarian's approval to begin sessions after surgery. This is to ensure that the dog is in a healthy state, it is safe to do and there are any areas to be cautious about. This therapy is not recommended for those that have:
Swimming has always been known to be the best workout for the whole body. Whether you are looking to keep your dog in shape, lose weight or rehab, a plan can be tailored for your dog's needs. Treatments last as long as it takes to reach set goals.
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