Clinical aspects of using Adipose Derived Stem Cells to treat Intervertebral Disc Disease are discussed. A two-pronged therapeutic plan is described which involves treating disc degeneration and damaged spinal cord with stem cells. Stem cell treatment offers prophylactic options for discs that have not yet ruptured and therapy, both alone and combined with standard surgical … Continue reading Abstract →

Acupuncture uses needles to induce changes in soft tissues. Acupuncture is believed to activate the built-in survival mechanisms that normalize the body and promote self-healing. Acupuncture points coincide with tissues that can elicit a strong neurohumoral response when irritated. These include nerves, neurovascular complexes, Golgi tendon apparatuses, and other sensitive tissues. Release of physical and … Continue reading Acupuncture →

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine techniques offer long-term tissue repairing options with the possibility to restore intervertebral disc function. Stem cells have the potential to repopulate and regenerate the IVD. There are several potential sources of stem cells, including adipose tissue, bone marrow, and other tissues such as embryonic and fetal stem cells. Embryonic and … Continue reading Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy →

Regenerative therapy modalities using Adipose Derived Stem Cells are clinically relevant. Stem cells from fatty tissue that does not require culture and expansion is revolutionary. Previously stem cells were derived from bone marrow which was then cultured to increase stem cell numbers over three to six weeks. The next generation of stem cell treatments involved … Continue reading Discussion →

Electrostimulation Therapy or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is the electrical stimulation of muscles or the nerves that feed muscles. The purpose is to make the muscle contract. This contraction of muscles is necessary when there is nerve damage to the brain, spinal cord or other nerves that feed the muscles and they cannot move on … Continue reading Electrostimulation →

Heat therapy increases blood flow, increases blood vessel permeability and increase cellular chemical reactions. Heat stimulates inflammation and invigorates wound healing. Heat relieves pain relaxes ligaments and tendons, decreases muscle tension and spasms. Heat can be applied using hot packs, heat lamps, warm towels, warm-water blankets, therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy, warm-water baths, and hydrotherapy units. … Continue reading Heat Therapy →

The vertebral column supports the neck and back and is composed of bony vertebral bodies connected by cushioning intervertebral discs. The vertebral canal is the hollow space formed by the vertebral bodies occupied by the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the nerve bundle responsible for all nerve impulses to and from the body. The … Continue reading Intervertebral Disc Disease Anatomy and Pathophysiology →

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a serious disease of the vertebral column affecting the spinal cord, causing pain and neurologic damage. IVDD can affect all dogs but is predominantly a disease of dogs with chondrodystrophy. Chondrodystrophic pets are literally those with “bad cartilage growth,” including but not limited to the Dachshund, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel, Shih … Continue reading Introduction →

Modalities for Rehabilitation of pets with a special focus on IVDD patients. Cold Therapy Cold therapy can be an effective treatment for inflammation, pain, and swelling if applied early in the disease process. Cold therapy inhibits the mechanical, physical and chemical actions of pain and inflammation. Cold therapy can be applied using ice and gel … Continue reading Modalities →

Passive range of motion (PROM) exercise external force such as your hands used to move a limb through its range of motion. The range of motion refers to the controlled movement of the limbs and joints in flexion, extension, adduction (moving the limb toward the body), and abduction (moving the limb away from the body) … Continue reading Passive Range of Motion →