It involves the functional assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of animals to support recovery, reduce pain, and improve overall quality of life.
NAVP members use clinical reasoning and informed interpretation to guide every decision. Each case is approached individually—starting with a full history, a detailed examination, and a tailored treatment plan designed specifically for the animal’s unique needs, behaviour, and environment.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Veterinary physiotherapy is a dynamic process based on continual assessment and reassessment, ensuring that care evolves in response to the animal’s progress and changing needs.
NAVP members are highly trained in a wide range of therapeutic techniques. Following a comprehensive assessment, they may use a combination of the following:
Manual Therapies
Techniques such as massage, soft tissue mobilisation, joint mobilisations, myofascial release, and stretching to relieve tension, improve mobility, and aid healing.
Electrotherapies
The use of therapeutic equipment such as ultrasound, laser, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF), H-Wave, TENS, interferential therapy, microcurrent, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to support pain relief and tissue repair.
Remedial Exercise Programmes
Individually tailored exercises to restore movement patterns, build strength and endurance, improve suppleness, balance, and proprioception (the animal’s sense of body position).
Management and Environmental Advice
Guidance on therapeutic handling, rehabilitation strategies, and adapting the animal’s living environment to promote recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Commitment to Animal Welfare
NAVP members work within current veterinary legislation and are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare. Many leading insurance companies recognise NAVP practitioners for physiotherapy claims, making professional care more accessible for your animals.
Veterinary physiotherapy works in partnership with veterinary care to support the long-term management of many musculoskeletal and neurological injuries or conditions. It can also be used proactively to improve performance and help reduce the risk of injury in working, sporting, or aging animals.
Physiotherapy aims to:
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