What is Passive Range of Motion Exercise?
During warm-up and cool down, one of the techniques that can be used to assist flexibility is passive flexion/extension exercise, also called passive range of motion. Here patients lie on their side with the side to be exercised facing up. Starting with the foot, the joints are flexed and extended through their natural range of motion moving up the leg all the way to the shoulder/hip. If the exercise causes discomfort (for example, its quite painful for dogs with bad hips when the rear leg is extended backward), do not continue to a painful point. Ideally 10 to 15 flex/extensions are performed on each joint and this is done 2 to 4 times daily. MedVetOhio, a large referral center, has put together these videos demonstrating PROM PROM of the front leg.PROM of the rear leg. How to do Massage Veterinary compresses can be purchased, such as this one from Handicappedpets.com. There are many hand motions that can be used in massage: Stroking This is done with the palm of the hand on the pet m
