FEATURE — Nearly 40% of households in the United States own at least one dog. That’s a lot of dogs to keep healthy. To do so, dog parents are turning to complementary therapies that enhance their pets’ health and quality of life.

Besides good nutrition and exercise, pet owners are exploring hydrotherapy, cold laser, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and chiropractic services. These alternative treatments should not be used as a replacement for traditional veterinary treatment and diagnosis; rather, they should be used in conjunction with them. The combination can work together as a balanced approach to your dog’s good health.

A sound, integrated approach can be a road to recovery and a regiment to keep your dog healthy and happy. It may also add years to the life of your cherished pet.

Hydrotherapy mixes the benefits of warm water with physical resistance. An underwater treadmill can work wonders for improved cardio, rehabilitation after surgery and even weight loss. 

Dogs enter the hydro tank, and water fills to the appropriate level for your dog – usually shoulder height. Once inside, the treadmill moves at a monitored speed, and the hydrotherapist assists any of the dog’s limbs or muscles that need help, achieving the correct range of motion. The temperature, buoyancy and resistance of water positively builds muscle strength and manages pain.

When compared to regular exercise, stress on joints, bones and muscles is greatly reduced with hydrotherapy. For some conditions, measurable results are often seen after just a few sessions; a regular course of treatment is needed for others. It’s not unusual to see dogs that could barely stand on their own begin to walk and lead a more normal life.

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or LLLT, has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is referred to as a cold laser because it does not produce heat.

The laser beam consists of wavelengths with photons that penetrate the tissue. Cells that are not properly functioning due to injury or disease absorb these protons. This helps boost energy production in cells, increasing overall cellular function. In turn, this allows for more rapid absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes and reproduction of new cells.

Laser therapy is used to treat a multitude of ailments and injuries and is ideal for pets recovering from surgery. Treatment can also be beneficial for animals that are injured or in pain. It helps the pet regain some mobility and activity earlier in the recovery process. Less pain and inflammation means greater range of motion in joints, which is particularly helpful for arthritis. In turn, the dog or cat will engage in more exercise and achieve a more desirable quality of life.

Cold laser can help heal the following:

• Joint, ligament and tendon injuries.
• Bone fractures.
• Muscle sprains or strains.
• Skin lesions or abrasions.
• Arthritis.
• Musculoskeletal diseases.
• Nerve injury and more.

Pet massage is gaining wider acceptance as an alternative health care approach. Who doesn’t love a good massage?

Often combined with acupressure, pet massage stimulates the body’s soft tissue to increase blood circulation, with the use of the laser instead of needles to access acupuncture points. By focusing on these points, various organs and meridians can be targeted for desired results.

Observations and scientific studies have shown that massage can do the following:

• Reduce fear and anxiety.
• Improve flexibility and mobility.
• Relieve muscle spasms and stiffness.
• Balance the body’s energies.
• Release endorphins.
• Fortify the immune system.

Dog parents would likely agree that they would go to great lengths to keep their pets healthy and living a top quality of life. Alternative therapies are an exciting new way of doing just that!

For more information on health and wellness for your pet, visit WOOFCenter.com. You can also call them at 435-275-4536 or stop by WOOF! Wellness Center & Training Academy at 3199 Santa Clara Drive in Santa Clara.

Written by ANITA DELELLES, LMT. 

This article was originally published in the January/February 2023 issue of St. George Health and Wellness magazine.

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