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How to perform effleurage and passive range of motion exercises
Abstract
There are a number of basic physiotherapy techniques that can be performed by veterinary nurses, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, which could be extremely beneficial to the patients in their care. For example, effleurage is a massage technique which helps relax the patient, reduces oedema, improves blood flow and reduces pain. Additionally, passive range of motion (PROM) exercises are essential to maintain the range of motion (ROM) of joints when patients have reduced mobility. Without the use of PROM exercises a permanent reduced ROM could result. These physiotherapy techniques are best used as part of a rehabilitation programme designed to support the patient to make a full functional recovery.
Recent years have seen an increase in the use of physiotherapy techniques in the treatment of animals and numerous conditions have been seen to benefit. In the UK (other countries may differ), The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 allows non veterinary surgeons (VS), such as veterinary nurses (VN), to perform physiotherapy on animals if done under the direction of a VS who has examined the animal and prescribed the treatment. Although this theoretically allows VNs to perform any form of physiotherapy as prescribed by the VS, there are some physiotherapy techniques that should be reserved for qualified veterinary physiotherapists or those who have received additional training. However, there are a number of basic physiotherapy techniques that can be applied by VNs that can have a beneficial impact on the speed of recovery and quality of life of the patients in their care. This article will cover two such techniques: effleurage and passive range of motion (PROM) exercises.
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