What is the potential risk in animal physical therapy?
Physical therapy treatment is a non-invasive and conservative intervention. The primary “tools” of therapists are their knowledge and experience, their hands and their eyes. When using massage, joint mobilization, range of motion and stretching, therapists adjust their pressure to tolerance just as with human practice. Physical agents, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound when used appropriately by experienced licensed professionals, are quite safe as has been shown with human patients over the past century. In many cases, the amplitude is lowered to 1/2 or 1/3 of what is used for humans. Whenever an animal reacts to a device, even to turn their head toward a device, it is recommended that the treatment be stopped to avoid creating discomfort to the animal. Exercise programs may be challenging to an animal yet are closely monitored to assess effectiveness. Often the programs would be carried out at home, and the owner would actively participate and accept responsibility for th
