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Introduction to Physical Rehabilitation for Veterinary Technicians/Nurses

Mary Ellen Goldberg

Veterinary Technician Specialist‐ lab animal medicine (Research anesthesia‐retired), Veterinary Technician Specialist‐ (physical rehabilitation‐retired), Veterinary Technician Specialist‐ (anesthesia & analgesia) – H, Veterinary Medical Technologist, Surgical Research Anesthetist‐retired, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner

CHAPTER MENU

• What Is Rehabilitation?
• History of Human Physical Therapy
• History of Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
• Specifics About Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation
• How Do Veterinary Technicians and Nurses Fit In?
• Where Can I Become a Certified Rehabilitation Veterinary Technician?
• What Is Involved in Becoming a CCRA, CCRVN, CCAT, CCRP, CVMRT or CERA, CERP?
• Practice Regulations for Veterinary Technicians
• Working in the Physical Rehabilitation Field
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Manual Techniques
• Physical Modalities
• Conditions That Can Benefit from Physical Rehabilitation
• Conclusion
• Resources
• References

As veterinary technicians, we vow to further our knowledge and competence through a commitment to lifelong learning (NAVTA, 1987). Over the past 15–20 years, awareness of animal physical rehabilitation has increased, and rehabilitation has become a rapidly growing service within veterinary specialty hospitals, referral centers, and primary care practices. Every day, we hear about laser therapy and underwater treadmills, equipment that was not traditionally covered in the veterinary technician’s college curriculum. Learning more about rehabilitation enables the veterinary technician to better assist the supervising veterinarian when physical rehabilitation therapies are recommended. This chapter aims to answer some questions about rehabilitation for veterinary technicians and nurses.

What Is Rehabilitation?

Physical rehabilitation is the treatment of injury or illness to decrease pain and restore function (American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, 2023). Rehabilitation is used to address acute injuries and chronic injuries or diseases. Rest alone after injury usually does not relieve the problems caused by inflammation and spasm; for example, a muscle in spasm may not have adequate blood supply to heal. Protective mechanisms in place in the body following injury alter movement of the whole musculoskeletal system and increase strain in other areas. Physical rehabilitation should commence as soon as is possible for the patient and caregiver (Table 1.1).

Table 1.1 Sample conditions benefiting from physical rehabilitation.

Source: Adapted from Sharp (2008).

History of Human Physical Therapy

International (Physiosite, 2015)

Physicians like Hippocrates and later Galenus are believed to have been the first practitioners of physical therapy, advocating massage, manual therapy techniques, and hydrotherapy. In 460 BC, Hector practiced hydrotherapy – which is Greek for water treatment. In 1894, Great Britain recognized physiotherapy as a specialized branch of nursing regulated by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The first emergence of physiotherapy as a specialist discipline was in Sweden in 1913, when Per Henrik Ling founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) for massage, manipulation, and exercise. In the following two decades, formal physiotherapy programs were established in other countries, led by the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago in New Zealand (1913). From 1950, chiropractic manipulations were also introduced, this was initially most common in Great Britain. A subspecialty of orthopedics, within physiotherapy, also emerged at about the same time.

United States of America (APTA, 2015; Moffat, 2003)

Physical therapists formed their first professional association in 1921, called the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. In 1922, the association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association (APA). In the 1930s, APA introduced its first “Code of Ethics,” men were admitted, and membership grew to just under 1,000. With the advent of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s, physical therapists were in great demand. The association's membership grew to 8,000. By the late 1940s, the association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). APTA represents more than 90,000 members throughout the United States. A national professional organization, APTA's goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. Currently, 213 institutions offer physical therapy education programs, and 309 institutions offer physical therapist assistant education programs in the United States.

History of Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation for animals has been practiced since the 1980s. In biomedical research, the use of animal models in treatment protocols is common, and this includes research in the field of physical rehabilitation. From the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, several groups helped to increase interest in canine and equine physical rehabilitation. These groups include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), and the formation of the Animal Physical Therapist Special Interest Group (APT‐SIG) within the APTA. Success with human patients receiving post‐operative physical therapy has galvanized the veterinary community into developing physical rehabilitation techniques that can be implemented for animal patients (McGonagle et al., 2014). In June 1993, the APTA issued a position statement that “endorses the position that physical therapists may establish collaborative, collegial relationships with veterinarians for the purposes of providing physical therapy services or consultation (APTA, 1993).” In 1996, “Guidelines for Alternative and Complementary Veterinary Medicine” were adopted by the AVMA House of Delegates (AVMA, 2000). New guidelines were adopted by the AVMA House of Delegates in 2001 (AVMA, 2001). Training in animal physical rehabilitation was established by a group at the University of Tennessee (McGonagle et al., 2014). This training and certification course was, and still is, provided for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, physical therapists, and physical therapy assistants (see below).

The International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (www.iavrpt.org) became an official association in July 2008 and is a collaborative association of veterinarians, technicians, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals. Veterinarians interested in rehabilitation in the United States are encouraged to join the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, founded in 2007 (www.rehabvets.org). Veterinary technicians can become members of the AARV as associate members, as can other allied health professionals.

In 2010, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) was approved by the American Association of Specialty Veterinary Boards (AASVB) to establish and maintain credentialing and specialty status for veterinarians who excel in sports medicine and rehabilitation. A veterinarian can become board‐certified in either canine or equine specialties under this college; more details can be found at their website, www.vsmr.org.

Veterinary technicians can take one of several certification courses in animal rehabilitation. For those technicians who are already certified in physical rehabilitation, a veterinary technician specialty group has been formed. This group is under the umbrella and direction of the National Association of Veterinary...