Electrophysical Therapies for the Equine Athlete

A good rehabilitation program takes into account the possible causes for the injury. Once the underlying cause of the injury is determined, a veterinarian can construct an appropriate rehabilitation plan and use the available electrophysical therapies to their greatest effect. Treating the horse correctly for the type and location of injury, and the stage of rehabilitation of the tissue, helps ensure full rehabilitation success. This article discusses when and how to use the most common electrophysical therapies in horses including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, functional electric stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and vibration therapy.