How Physiotherapy Helps Dogs with Osteoarthritis
The Effect of Phototherapy & Massage on the Heart Rate & Passive Range of Motion of Canines with Osteoarthritis in Elbow Joint Research Project
I carried out a research project for a deeper understanding of how therapeutic equipment & massage can influence conservative management of osteoarthritis in the elbow in dogs, both physically & psychologically.
Many of the dogs I treat have osteoarthritis, which is no surprise when you look at the statistics. Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disorder recorded by vets (Rvc.ac.uk, 2019) and data shows 1 in 5 dogs are affected with OA (CAM 2019) and the Golden Retriever and Labrador breeds are most prevalent. (Anderson KL, O'Neill DG, Brodbelt DC, et al)
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A small controlled study was carried out to investigate the impact of Phototherapy and Massage on dogs with Elbow Osteoarthritis.
PhysioMyDog Award Winning & In the News!
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This Research Project was awarded a prize at Crufts, received press coverage &
being used in Photizo Training Programmes
Research Project Winning at Crufts!
Animal Therapy Magazine
Local Press Article
Complementary and Alternative
Medicine Magazine
Photizo Light Therapy Website
Summary & Results
Objective of Study
Investigate the impact therapeutic massage and equipment has on how a dog with elbow osteoarthritis moves, by measuring their elbow passive range of motion and well being by measuring their heart rate.​
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Criteria
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Labrador or Golden Retriever Breeds
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Weighing between 20-40kg
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Aged 2+ years
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Owners agree to vet consent
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Diagnosed elbow OA by vet
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Managing conservatively
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Not on drugs or been on for 2 months+
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Sessions completed in same environment
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Not walked within hour before sessions
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During research time period
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Don’t have any other therapy
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Don’t start/stop medication, supplements or change diets.
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Study Methodology
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Dogs were split into 2 groups
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Each dog had 3 sessions in total, spaced 7 days apart.
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Group 1 – Phototherapy & Massage
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Group 2 – Phototherapy Only
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Session 1 - Measurements Only
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Session 2 - Phototherapy & Massage or Phototherapy Only
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Session 3 - Both groups had massage only
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Before and after each treatment session, heart rate and passive range of motion (elbow extension and flexion) measurements were taken.
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Owners completed daily questionnaire to grade how their dogs were moving and feeling
Results
Massage only sessions showed bigger reduction of Heart Rate = improved wellbeing
Massage & Phototherapy combined session showed more improvements in Passive Range of Motion = improved movement.
For further details, analysis, including before and after, owner feedback you can Read More Here.
​"There is strong evidence that electro-physical modalities used in conjunction with manual therapies improve and speed up recovery. The way to achieve the best results with this modality is to apply regularly, eg. at least 3x per week or even daily." Ruth Milner, Director and Product Specialist, Photizo Distributor Dante Products