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Electrotherapy Techniques Available
Electrotherapy refers to the use of specialised equipment that delivers light, sound, magnetic, or electrical energy to the body’s tissues to help reduce pain, improve healing, and restore normal function. These treatments are completely non-invasive and painless, and are often used alongside hands-on physiotherapy to support recovery from injury, surgery, or long-term conditions.
Click below to find out more about a specific treatment:
LASER, PMFT, Ultrasound, TENS/NMES, Thermotherapy
LASER Therapy
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What is LASER Therapy?
LASER therapy (also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy or Photobiomodulation) is a safe,
non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to help the body heal naturally.
It’s completely painless for your pet and is often used alongside physiotherapy to support
recovery from injury, surgery, or long-term conditions such as arthritis.
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How Does It Work?
In simple terms, LASER therapy works by stimulating the cells in your pet’s body to function more efficiently. The light energy from the LASER penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the cells within the tissues.
This light energy aims to:
Boosts cell metabolism – helping cells repair and regenerate faster.
Increases blood flow – bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area to support healing.
Reduces inflammation and swelling – by improving circulation and calming the body’s inflammatory response.
Encourages the release of endorphins – the body’s natural pain relievers.
Essentially, LASER therapy gives the body’s healing processes a helping hand — speeding up recovery and easing discomfort in a gentle, natural way.
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Benefits of LASER Therapy
When used as part of a veterinary physiotherapy session, LASER therapy can provide a range of benefits, including:
Pain relief – helps reduce both acute and chronic pain.
Faster healing – promotes tissue repair after injury or surgery.
Reduced inflammation and swelling – ideal for joint, tendon, and muscle conditions.
Improved mobility – supports comfort and flexibility, especially in arthritic pets.
Enhanced recovery – works well alongside other treatments like massage, stretching, and exercise therapy.
What Does a Session Involve?
During a session, your pet will simply relax while the LASER device is gently moved over the treatment area. Most animals find it very soothing — some even fall asleep! There’s no need for sedation, and no sensation of heat or pain.
LASER therapy can be a valuable part of a comprehensive physiotherapy plan, helping your pet feel more comfortable, recover faster, and maintain a better quality of life.
Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (PMFT/PEMF)
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What is PMFT/PEMF Therapy?
Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (also known as PEMF) is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that
uses pulsing electromagnetic fields to help the body heal and restore balance at a cellular level.
It’s completely painless and is often used alongside other physiotherapy techniques to support
recovery, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
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How Does It Work?
In simple terms, PMFT works by creating a gentle magnetic field that passes safely through your pet’s body. This field helps to stimulate and recharge the cells, improving how they function and communicate.
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This process helps to:
Increase cellular energy (ATP production) – giving cells more power to repair and regenerate.
Improve circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Reduce inflammation and swelling.
Promote pain relief by calming nerve activity and encouraging the release of natural endorphins.
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Benefits of PMFT/PEMF Therapy
When used as part of a veterinary physiotherapy session, PMFT can offer a variety of benefits, such as:
Pain relief in both acute and chronic conditions.
Reduced inflammation and faster healing of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Improved joint mobility and comfort, especially for pets with arthritis or stiffness.
Enhanced recovery following injury or surgery.
Improved circulation and cellular function, supporting overall tissue health.
What Does a Session Involve?
PMFT is completely non-invasive and very relaxing for your pet. The magnetic field is delivered through a special pad placed over or near the area being treated. Most animals don’t feel a thing — many simply lie down and rest during the session!
This therapy is an excellent complement to hands-on physiotherapy, massage, and exercise-based treatments. By supporting the body’s natural healing processes, PMFT helps your pet feel more comfortable, recover faster, and maintain better long-term mobility and wellbeing.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
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What is Therapeutic Ultrasound?
Therapeutic ultrasound is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves
(not electrical currents or radiation) to promote healing within your pet’s soft tissues.
It’s completely safe, gentle, and commonly used in both human and veterinary physiotherapy
to help with muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries, as well as joint stiffness or chronic conditions.
How Does It Work?
In simple terms, ultrasound therapy works by sending high-frequency sound waves into the tissues beneath your pet’s skin. These waves create microscopic vibrations and gentle heat, which help to:
Increase blood flow to the area, bringing oxygen and nutrients that support repair.
Soften tight or scarred tissue, improving flexibility and comfort.
Reduce inflammation and swelling.
Speed up the healing process in injured muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
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Benefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound
When used as part of a veterinary physiotherapy session, ultrasound can provide a wide range of benefits for your pet, including:
Faster tissue repair after strains, sprains, or surgery.
Reduced swelling and inflammation, especially around joints.
Pain relief and improved comfort in chronic or acute conditions.
Loosening of tight muscles or scar tissue, supporting better mobility.
Enhanced effects of other physiotherapy treatments like massage, stretching, and exercise therapy.
What Does a Session Involve?
During the treatment, a small hand-held ultrasound probe is moved gently over the affected area using a special gel to help the sound waves travel through the skin. Most pets find the process very relaxing — it’s quiet, comfortable, and completely painless.
Therapeutic ultrasound is an excellent complement to other physiotherapy techniques, helping your pet heal more efficiently, move more freely, and enjoy a better quality of life.
TENS & NMES
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What are TENS and NMES?
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation)
are safe, non-invasive treatments that use gentle electrical impulses to help manage pain and
improve muscle function. These therapies are commonly used in both human and
veterinary physiotherapy to support recovery after injury, surgery, or periods of reduced mobility.
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Although they sound similar, they each have a different purpose:
TENS is primarily used for pain relief.
NMES is used to activate and strengthen muscles that may have weakened due to injury, surgery, or rest.
How Do They Work?
In simple terms, both therapies work by delivering small, controlled electrical impulses through pads placed on the skin.
TENS targets the sensory nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. These impulses help to block pain messages and stimulate the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers).
NMES targets the motor nerves that control muscle contractions. It gently stimulates the muscles to contract, helping to maintain muscle tone, improve circulation, and prevent muscle wasting when normal activity is limited.
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Benefits of TENS & NMES
When used as part of a veterinary physiotherapy session, these therapies can provide a range of benefits, including:
Pain relief from both acute injuries and chronic conditions.
Improved muscle strength and tone, especially after surgery or periods of rest.
Reduced muscle spasms and stiffness.
Better circulation to aid healing and tissue health.
Enhanced recovery when combined with exercise and manual therapy techniques.
What Does a Session Involve?
During treatment, small pads (called electrodes) are placed on your pet’s skin over the targeted area. The device then delivers gentle electrical pulses. The intensity and frequency of the stimulation are carefully adjusted to suit each pet’s needs — ensuring the treatment is always comfortable and effective. Due to the longer coat of most dogs, it may be necessary to shave treatment areas to ensure proper electrical conductivity. For this reason I tend to mostly use this modality on horses.
Thermotherapy
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What is Thermotherapy?
Thermotherapy simply means the use of heat or cold to help the body heal, manage pain,
and improve comfort. In veterinary physiotherapy, it’s often used to prepare tissues before
treatment, aid recovery afterwards, or help manage ongoing conditions such as arthritis,
muscle tightness, or inflammation.
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There are two main types:
Heat therapy – using warmth to relax muscles, improve flexibility, and relieve stiffness.
Cold therapy – using cooling methods to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain after injury or exercise.
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How Does It Work?
In simple terms, thermotherapy works by changing the temperature of the tissues to create a specific therapeutic effect:
Heat therapy increases blood flow to the area, helping to relax tight muscles, soften connective tissue, and deliver oxygen and nutrients that support healing.
Cold therapy slows blood flow to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, particularly after a recent injury or surgery.
Your physiotherapist will choose the right approach depending on your pet’s condition, stage of healing, and comfort levels.
Benefits of Thermotherapy
When used as part of a veterinary physiotherapy session, thermotherapy can provide a wide range of benefits, including:
Pain relief for both acute and chronic conditions.
Reduced muscle tension and spasms.
Improved flexibility and joint movement.
Decreased inflammation and swelling.
Enhanced healing and recovery when combined with other therapies.
What Does a Session Involve?
During treatment, heat or cold may be applied using special wraps, pads, or compresses designed for animals. The application is always carefully monitored to ensure your pet remains comfortable and safe — the temperature and duration are adjusted to suit their individual needs. Thermotherapy is a simple yet powerful tool that complements other physiotherapy techniques beautifully. Whether it’s used to relax muscles before exercise, reduce swelling after an injury, or simply ease stiff joints, it helps your pet feel more comfortable and supports their overall recovery and wellbeing.
