Recursos fisioterapêuticos em medicina equina: Revisão de literatura

Abstract

Physiotherapy is a growing area in veterinary medicine, especially in equine sports medicine. It uses various techniques such as cryotherapy, thermotherapy, hydrotherapy and massage to speed recovery from injury, prolong the life of the animal sports, reduce time away from the athletic and financial loss associated with cessation of work. Cryotherapy is often used after exercise to promote analgesia; thermotherapy causes greater elongation by facilitating the circulation of people over that period, the animal hydrotherapy provides the improvement in physical fitness and massage promotes relaxation and has a calming effect on the animal. Some methods are used in order to prevent injury and prolong the life of the animal sports. Besides the economic importance one must consider the patient's emotional value to its owner, as currently beyond the workforce and sports activity developed by the animal, the horse became a pet keeping a close bond with the owner and trainer. So the therapy techniques have been increasingly used in equine medicine, bringing benefits to physical, psychological and performance, and strengthen the bond of friendship between horse and man.