Physical therapy/rehabilitation is a very useful and sought after modality for humans and until recently has caught the eye of the veterinary profession. It was not uncommon for veterinarians to recommend 3-6 weeks of cage rest postoperatively for orthopedic surgeries. Veterinarians can now incorporate animal rehabilitation into their practice expand their knowledge by studying at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute or a program at the University of Tennessee. Animal rehabilitation therapy has been shown to speed healing and return to function after trauma or surgery. Therapies are used to strengthen muscle and prevent atrophy, decrease edema/swelling and improve range of motion. An underwater treadmill is utilized to build strength by walking the animals in heated water on a treadmill. The buoyancy takes weight off arthritic and postsurgical joints and the warm water improves circulation and range of motion. This modality may be combined with acupuncture for optimal effect. Owners are taught exercises (if applicable) to help with range of motion, improve muscle tone and prevent joint contracture. Dr Tyneway has also been uniquely trained to work with the canine athlete to improve coordination, muscle strength, and cardiovascular function for agility and other physical competition.
Pets that would benefit from the underwater treadmill are those that need muscle strengthening and improved joint function. Such indications would include conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, dogs that are rehabilitating from neurological injuries such as disc disease, degenerative myelopathy and fibrocartilagenous emboli (similar to a stroke in humans). Patients recovering from fracture repair, cranial cruciate rupture repair and hip surgery (replacement, femoral head ostectomy) would benefit as well.
Patients have the option of an integrative approach to their problem as acupuncture may be added for pain management as needed.
Traditional Chinese Medicine 
Traditional Chinese medicine encompasses several areas under its umbrella of therapy.
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy and tuina (Chinese manual therapy) make up the branches of Chinese medicine.
They are often combined to optimize healing.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves placing hair-thin needles into acupuncture points on the body known to have physiologic effects on the body's processes. These acupuncture points are arranged in specific areas of the body and are arranged in meridians. The Chinese believe that the balanced flow of energy in the meridians is the key to health. Thousands of years later we now know for a fact that these points are located in an area associated with key anatomical structures which include a nerve, artery vein and lymphatic vessel. Acupuncture therapy is used to treat a multitude of conditions.
Perhaps its best know effect is for treatment of back pain. It is often as effective as prescription medications without any of the side effects. Acupuncture will stimulate blood flow and promote healing of damaged tissues. It also stimulates the release of endorphins which are the bodies own natural pain mediators. It also stimulates nerves that block the action of nerve fibers responsible for chronic pain. Acupuncture has long been used before and after surgery for pain relief and to hasten healing and return to function.
Acupuncture has been shown to decrease nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy and for morning sickness in human patients. It is a wonderful way to increase an overall sense of well being in an animal that is chronically ill or nauseated.
Acupuncture has also been used for many internal conditions such as seizure disorders, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, allergic disorders, asthma, cancer, incontinence, feline cystitis, immune system support and any type of pain processes.
Acupuncture is often combined with Chinese herbal medicine to optimize healing. When thinking of Chinese medicine, many think immediately of acupuncture. In China, herbal therapy is a very important part of the medical system and is emphasized more than acupuncture.
Tuina
Tuina is the Chinese form of medical manipulation that is used for preventing and treating disease. The Tuina practitioner uses massage and acupressure to mobilize joints, improve circulation and strengthen the body's resistance. Dr Tyneway is a certified Tuina practitioner through the Chi Institute/Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Center.
Veterinary Spinal Manipulation/Chiropractic
Many who have gone to a chiropractor have enjoyed the benefits of increased flexibility, decrease in musculoskeletal discomfort and enhanced quality of life. These same benefits are available to animals to improve their health.
Chiropractic is based on the premise that there is a very important relationship between the spinal column and the nervous system. As the nervous system governs virtually every function in the body, its proper functioning is critical. Nerves conduct impulses from the brain through the spinal canal to the organs and peripheral musculature. If at any point along the way there is an abnormal relationship between vertebrate of the spine there may be an effect on the movement or physiologic activities of the body. This improper relationship between vertebrate is know as a subluxation in chiropractic terminology.
The nervous system is critical in maintaining a healthy immune system and its innate ability to heal itself. This principle of innate healing is a core premise of chiropractic philosophy. Chiropractic adjustments are aimed at removing any impediments to the transmission of impulses in the nervous system, thus allowing full expression of the body's intrinsic capacity to heal itself. As a holistic modality, its goal is to get to the cause of the symptoms as much as possible and to avoid palliating symptoms with medication or decrease the level needed to achieve comfort.
Common signs of a subluxation are abnormal gait, muscular spasms and tenderness, and decreased range of motion.
Look for a veterinarian or chiropractor that has trained with the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and has committed more than 200 hours of classroom time specifically geared toward the safe application of these techniques to animals. The musculoskeletal system of dogs is different from humans. Not to mention that a horse is not a cat. Dr Tyneway has also completed a course in Veterinary Orthopedic manipulation (VOM) taught by Dr Inman.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a holistic modality based on the Law of Similars. Simply put, the same symptoms that are caused by a particular substance can be cured if the substance is administered in very small amounts. A German MD discovered this phenomenon when he discovered that cinchona bark, which contains quinine, causes symptoms similar to malaria. Cinchona is also a cure for malaria. This is how Hahnemann stumbled onto the use of medicines homeopathically. Translated, homeopathy is similar suffering.
A homeopathic evaluation involves analyzing the mental and physical symptoms that a patient is experiencing and finding the right remedy and dose to move the patient towards a cure. A computer analysis of the symptoms may be done to help choose from the hundreds of remedies that exist.
House Call Service
At times, patients may have great difficulty getting into the clinic or an owner is unable to leave the home and they may be seen on a house call basis.
A travel fee is applied and house calls are available on a limited basis as schedule permits.
Home Euthanasia
The most difficult decision made on behalf of a pet is whether or not it is time to say goodbye. Dr Tyneway will perform home euthanasia when you and your veterinarian have decided it is time. A tranquilizer is administered first and after the pet is relaxed and sedate, the injection is given to put them to sleep.
