Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Second Edition. Edited by Chris Zink and Janet B. Van Dyke.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Manual skills are critical to successful evaluation
and treatment of the canine rehabilitation patient.
Manual techniques are used in assessment and
treatment of soft tissue abnormalities, osteokin­

ematic and arthrokinematic dysfunction, and pain.

In this chapter manual skills are divided into four

categories: soft tissue mobilization, passive range of

motion (PROM), stretching, and joint mobilization.

Manual Therapy

Judy C. Coates, MEd, MSPT, CCRT

6

Summary

Specialized manual skills are used extensively in both evaluating and treating the canine

patient. Manual techniques are used in an assessment to identify soft tissue abnormalities,

muscle length tightness, limitations in passive range of motion (PROM), and restrictions

in arthrokinematic motion. When assessing soft tissues, we must be able to distinguish

between normal and pathological tissue characteristics. Flexibility is assessed with par-

ticular sensitivity to multijoint muscles. PROM provides information regarding quality

and quantity of joint ROM with the use of end‐feels and goniometry. Joint play is used to

assess arthrokinematic or accessory joint motion. Identification and interpretation of

abnormal findings will direct the therapist in determining the most appropriate and most

efficient treatment techniques. Manual treatment involves a variety of soft tissue tech-

niques, specific stretching techniques, PROM with overpressure and joint mobilization,

including glides and traction. Soft tissue treatment techniques are designed to address a

specific tissue type and pathology. For example, techniques used to increase circulation

are different than techniques used to reduce adhesions or eliminate trigger points.

Decreased flexibility is treated with direct and nondirect stretching techniques designed

to optimize patient tolerance and effectiveness. Treatment of limited PROM depends on

information gathered from end‐feel assessment. Motion limited by an elastic end‐feel will

require different treatment techniques than motion that is limited by a boggy end‐feel.

Finally, joint mobilization consists of glides and traction. Different grades and techniques

of mobilization are used to treat pain versus hypomobility.