ABSTRACT
Historically, arthritis management has been focused on pharmacologic intervention, i.e. managing the pain. While pain management is, unquestionably, the primary focus of managing osteoarthritis (OA), there are other modalities that appear to be efficacious in treating OA pain. Canine physiotherapy/rehabilitation is a discipline that encompasses the application of physical therapy techniques to dogs whose comfort and function have been compromised. Commonly used techniques include cryotherapy, thermotherapy, physical rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), low-level laser, magnets, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment. Acute response to treatment is most pronounced, yet long-lasting results have been acknowledged for some modalities.
