Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

How Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Can Help with Your Pet’s Rehabilitation Process

Muscle atrophy and abnormal muscle movement are common for pets who suffered an injury or are healing from surgery. These two issues can limit the range of movement of a pet and, in severe cases, lead to complete immobilization. In some older animals, regular therapeutic exercise is not a viable option. That’s why the experts at Valley Animal Rehabilitation in Montclair offer Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES).

What is Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation?

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation uses electrical currents to induce contraction in affected muscles. If NMES is the best option for your pet, the process is quite simple. After identifying the areas in need of stimulation, we would put electrodes over the affected muscles. These electrodes are attached to a machine that sends out small electrical pulses. While your animal may feel some pinching and mild discomfort, NMES does not cause significant pain.

How Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Work?

While the electrical pulses always fire in the same way, they work in different ways, depending on your pets specific issue. Here are a few of the most common issues that NMES can treat:

  • Muscle atrophy: If your pet is unable to use certain muscles for an extended period, you may begin to see signs of muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy refers to muscle loss due to a lack of physical activity. When this happens, it can be quite difficult to regain the lost muscle through therapeutic exercises. However, NMES can help animals suffering from muscle atrophy regain some, if not all, of their lost muscle.
  • Abnormal movement: Sometimes, surgery or an injury can cause animals to move in an abnormal way to avoid pain or discomfort. If this behavior continues for a long time, it could permanently rewire how the muscles react to stimulation. This, in turn, could increase the risk of re-injury or permanent damage to the muscles and joints. NMES can return muscle movement to a healthy state.
  • Immobilization: In some paralysis cases, it can take your pet months or even years to regain partial or full mobility. However, with NMES, the nerve reconnection process is sped up to promote faster healing.
  • General pain and discomfort: If your animal is suffering from pain or discomfort in specific muscles, NMES may be able to reduce these symptoms. By stimulating certain nerves, NMES may prevent the pain signals from reaching your pet’s brain.

NMES and Other Rehab for Pets at Valley Animal Rehabilitation

Is your pet suffering from one of the conditions above and require NMES? Or are you simply looking for an alternative way for your pet to regain its mobility? If so, the experts at Valley Animal Rehabilitation in Montclair are ready to help. Contact our practice at (973) 509-5225 to set up an appointment today!

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Montclair Office

Monday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "Great care of my cat! All the staff were wonderful to deal with and you can tell they really care and love what they do! Thanks for taking care of us!"
    Anonymous