Underwater Treadmill
What is an Underwater Treadmill?
An underwater treadmill is a specialized piece of equipment we use at Hunt Valley for various therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes in dogs and cats. It is consists of a treadmill-like platform enclosed within a water-filled chamber.
Your pet enters the chamber and steps onto the treadmill, which is submerged in water up to a pre-determined level. The water height can be adjusted to suit the specific needs of the animal, allowing for customization of buoyancy and resistance levels.
Combining the benefits of water resistance and controlled exercise, an underwater treadmill is designed to aid in the recovery and conditioning of animals with musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, obesity management, and overall fitness improvement.
The water's buoyancy in the treadmill greatly reduces the impact on the animal's joints and limbs, making it an ideal environment for controlled exercise during the recovery process. This low-impact environment minimizes the risk of further injury while still promoting muscle strengthening, joint flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. The resistance offered by the water adds an additional layer of challenge to the animal's movements, effectively engaging a wider range of muscles compared to traditional land-based exercises.
Underwater Treadmill Videos
How Does the Underwater Treadmill Benefit Pets?
Our underwater treadmill offers several advantages for your pet at Hunt Valley:
- Pain Management: Animals suffering from conditions like arthritis, post-operative discomfort, or chronic pain can benefit from the pain-relieving properties of hydrotherapy. The buoyancy of water reduces the weight-bearing load on affected joints, providing relief and allowing for increased mobility.
- Muscle Strengthening: The resistance of the water requires animals to exert more effort while moving, leading to enhanced muscle development and strength without subjecting the body to excessive strain.
- Improved Range of Motion: Immersion in water allows joints to move through a broader range of motion, aiding in maintaining or restoring flexibility and preventing stiffness.
- Cardiovascular Fitness: Underwater treadmill sessions can be tailored to provide cardiovascular exercise without the impact stress that running or walking on land might cause. This is particularly useful for overweight or obese animals.
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Animals recovering from orthopedic surgeries, such as cruciate ligament repairs, can benefit from controlled exercises that promote healing, tissue regeneration, and functional recovery.
- Weight Management: The water's resistance increases the effort required for movement, contributing to calorie burning and weight loss. This is particularly valuable for animals struggling with obesity.
- Neuromuscular Rehabilitation: Animals with neurological conditions, such as spinal injuries, can benefit from the supportive nature of the water, aiding in regaining neuromuscular control and coordination.
Our veterinarians and animal rehabilitation staff oversee the use of our underwater treadmills. Each session is tailored to your pet's individual needs, taking into account their specific condition, fitness level, and treatment goals. Sessions are gradually adjusted in terms of duration, water height, and treadmill speed to ensure a safe and effective rehabilitation process. Its ability to provide low-impact exercise, pain relief, muscle strengthening, and improved mobility makes it a valuable asset in the recovery and overall well-being of animals in need of rehabilitation or fitness enhancement.
See How Our Underwater Treadmill is beneficial to your pet's healing
