Therapies | My Site

THERAPIES & TREATMENTS

MESOTHERAPY

Mesotherapy is effective in treating degenerative arthritis in a horse’s back and the cervical vertebrae. It helps by reversing the physiology of these conditions to stop the pain spasm cycle.

Mesotherapy has been used in veterinary practices, in the United States, to treat horses since 2002, but was originally developed in France in 1952 to treat human patients. Mesotherapy acts to stimulate the mesoderm, the middle layer of the skin. This can relieve a wide variety of ailments.

The principle is based on the theory of gait control of pain that originates from the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

The technique involves the injection of substances to stimulate the mesoderm for various biological purposes. Extremely small needles are used to penetrate the interdermal layer of the skin, typically 4 to 6 millimeters.

These very small injections stimulate the mesoderm nerve fibers in these dermatomes. These nerve fibers when stimulated help block or inhibit signals that come from sensory nerves that detect pain. The goal of mesotherapy in horses is to stop the pain/muscle spasm cycle that is occurring along the back. Mesotherapy is helpful in treating several causes of chronic back and neck pain.

Sacroiliac pain
“Kissing spine” discomfort
Arthritis of the back and neck
One sided neck stiffness
Generalized back discomfort
Can be enhanced when combined with chiropractic

SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has become a highly accepted technology for treating musculoskeletal problems, soft-tissue injuries and bone injuries in horses.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a method of applying energy waves to hard or soft tissue in a particular area of the body. ESWT is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes the production of acoustic sound waves to produce high pressure waves that are focused at a point of tissue or bone to stimulate healing.

When the shock waves meet interfaces of different impedance (i.e. bone/soft tissue interface) changes within the tissue are stimulated and created. These include an increase in blood flow, direct cellular effects, activation of osteogenic factors (the process of laying down new bone) and a direct analgesic (pain relieving) effect.

Shockwave Therapy is beneficial

Bowed tendons
Suspensory ligament injuries
Stress fractures
Splint bone fractures
Bone spavin
Navicular syndrome
Vertebral spinal pain/kissing spine
Sacro-iliac conditions (Hunter Bumps)
Back pain
Bucked shins

LASER THERAPY

Laser Therapy is a great tool that can accelerate healing and improve the repair, regeneration and remodeling of tissue in horses. Laser therapy is successful for decreasing pain, increasing wound healing, decreasing inflammation, increasing strength of tendon/ligament and a return to function.

Acute conditions can be resolved with just a few treatments however it is not unusual for a chronic condition to require a number of treatments over a period of several weeks. Most treatments take from 15-30 minutes and are completely pain-free for the patient. In fact, depending on the condition, some horses experience immediate relief.
Optimal treatment protocols are a direct result of the veterinarian or therapist knowing the horse and responding to that animal’s unique condition and needs. We do provide protocol guidelines and are available 5-days a week to answer any treatment inquiries as it relates to your horse’s specific condition.

Laser Therapy can be used either as a preventative to injury, especially for animals involved in competition, or to treat specific conditions such as:

Soft Tissue Injuries/Tendon & Ligament tears
Arthritis
Muscle Soreness
Joint Conditions
Neurologic Injuries
Stifle Injury
Sesamoiditis
Laminitis
Degenerative Joint Disease
SI Pain
Tying Up
Kissing Spine
Capped Elbow
Wounds and more

COLD WATER SPA

Cold Salt hydrotherapy for horses is an effective and drug-free therapy that can be used for rehabilitation and performance as well as injury prevention. It increases mobility and reduces swelling in the limbs before and after competitive events and training.

The cold temperature of the water in the equine spa rapidly increases blood circulation across the body. This allows for pain relief and reduces any bruising, swelling, and inflammation. Tissue damage is repaired and recovery time is reduced. The addition of salt allows for the benefits of salt water therapy where inflammation is further reduced and the natural healing process of an injury is enhanced. The ECB salt solution acts as a hypertonic poultice, reducing heat while having a natural healing effect on wounds. Water density increases with salt concentration, which in turn increases pressure to aid fluid and waste dispersal.

NOLTREX

These products are injected directly into the joint to provide visco-supplementation (lubrication/cushioning) and re-establish healthy joint lubrication using hydrogel. Arthramid-Vet and Noltrex-Vet function in a similar way to hyaluronic acid (HA) however they do not degrade as quickly over time and do not require metabolization to be functional. In this way they can immediately provide significant long-term therapy and support for compromised joints. We have been using Polyacrylamide gel for several years with extremely impressive results even in otherwise refractory or severe cases. In this way they can provide significant long term therapy and support for compromised joints.

Polyacrylamide gel can provide long term results even in certain cases of advanced osteoarthritis in horses. This gel is injected directly into the joint to provide visco-supplementation (lubrication/cushioning) and re-establish healthy joint lubrication using hydrogel.

STEROID INJECTIONS

Steroid injections are a great treatment option for lameness in horses. They work by reducing inflammation and pain in the affected area, allowing the horse to move more comfortably. They can provide several benefits for performance horses, including pain relief, improved mobility, and enhanced recovery times. This allows horses to perform at their best.

KINESOLOGY TAPE

Kinesiology tape for horses is a revolutionary tool designed to support your equine friend's muscles and joints during training and recovery. This flexible tape helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, and provide stability without restricting movement. Whether you're preparing for a competition or simply helping your horse stay in top shape, kinesiology tape can be invaluable addition to your care routine. Experience the benefits of enhanced performance and faster recovery with this innovative approach to equine care.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Equine rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of horse care. Whether your horse suffered an injury or is recovering from surgery, rehabilitation can help them regain strength and mobility. Dr. Andrews i s certified in equine rehabilation is dedicated to providing the highest quality care and support to help horse recover and thrive. Contact us today to learn more about our rehabilitation.