Physical Rehabilitation for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses

Physical Rehabilitation for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is a concise, practical introduction to all aspects of veterinary physical rehabilitation. Written and edited by certified rehabilitation assistants and veterinary specialists, this book equips the reader with the information needed to become a valued member of a veterinary rehabilitation team. Topics covered include joining a rehabilitation team, pain management, communicating treatment, nutrition, hands–on therapy skills, home and therapeutic exercises, client and patient support, patient motivation, and troubleshooting.

Provides a comprehensive introduction to physical rehabilitation for veterinary technicians and nurses Offers a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills needed to become a valued member of a veterinary rehabilitation team Features contributions from leading practitioners from across the United States sharing their knowledge and expertise on all aspects of veterinary physical rehabilitation Presents practical tips, tricks, and advice to meet common challenges faced by rehabilitation technicians Covers pain management, hands–on therapy, therapeutic exercises, patient motivation, troubleshooting, and more

Physical Rehabilitation for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses is an indispensable resource for veterinary technicians and nurses, as well as students interested in pursuing a career in the veterinary rehabilitation field.

List of Contributors vii

1 Introduction to Physical Rehabilitation for Veterinary Technicians/Nurses 1
Mary Ellen Goldberg

2 Joining a Rehabilitation Team 11
Julia E. Tomlinson

3 The Veterinary Technician and Rehabilitation Pain Management 26
Mary Ellen Goldberg

4 Communicating the Treatment Plan 49
Tracy A. Darling and Cynthia M. Otto

5 Manual Therapy Treatment 59
Judy Coates

6 Home Exercises 79
Abby Rafferty and Jacqueline R. Davidson

7 Supporting the Client and Patient 95
Robin Downing and Mary Ellen Goldberg

8 Nutritional Counseling 109
Kara M. Burns

9 Motivating Your Patient 127
Megan Nelson and Julia E. Tomlinson

10 The Disabled Patient Part 1: Assistive Devices and Technology 145
Mary Ellen Goldberg and Julia E. Tomlinson

11 The Disabled Patient Part 2: The Neurological Patient 163
Stephanie Kube and Mary Ellen Goldberg

12 The Disabled Patient Part 3: Special Considerations for Geriatrics 187
Mary Ellen Goldberg and Julia E. Tomlinson

13 The Disabled Patient Part 4: Home Nursing Care 205
Julia E. Tomlinson and Elizabeth E. Waalk

14 Modalities Part 1: Thermotherapy 218
Julia E. Tomlinson and Mary Ellen Goldberg

15 Modalities Part 2: Laser Therapy 231
Kristin Kirkby Sha and Liz Brown

16 Modalities Part 3: Electrotherapy and Electromagnetic Therapy 241
Shari Sprague and Mary Ellen Goldberg

17 Modalities Part 4: Therapeutic Ultrasound 262
Carolina Medina and Wendy Davies

18 Modalities Part 5: Shockwave Therapy 273
Douglas Stramel and Angela Stramel

19 Therapeutic Exercises Part 1: Land Exercises 286
Janice L. Huntingford and Jessy Bale

20 Therapeutic Exercises Part 2: Hydrotherapy (Aquatic Therapy) 308
Pádraig Egan and Noel Fitzpatrick

21 Troubleshooting as a Team 329
Amie Hesbach, Julia E. Tomlinson, and Erin White

22 Equine Rehabilitation 347
Steve Adair and Dawn Phillips

23 Adjunctive Therapies Part 1: Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine 377
Carolina Medina and Mary Ellen Goldberg

24 Adjunctive Therapies Part 2: Veterinary Chiropractic 390
Robin Downing

25 Adjunctive Therapies Part 3: Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy 398
Douglas Stramel

Index 408

The editors
Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRA, CVPP, VTS–Lab Animal Medicine (Research Anesthesia), VTS–Physical Rehabilitation (OC), is Executive Secretary of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, Orlando, Florida, USA. She is an Instructor at VetMedTeam, LLC, staff at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, and the Examination Chair for the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians.

Julia E. Tomlinson, BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, CCRP, CVSMT is in private specialty practice at Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine in Burnsville, Minnesota, USA. She is a past President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.