Rehabilitation, Pain Management and Integrative Medicine and PETS

 

In addition to being a veterinarian, Dr. Jessica Rychel is certified in medical acupuncture and is a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner. She has dedicated much of her career to helping animals in pain and rehabilitating dogs, cats, and zoologic companion animals from significant injuries and illnesses. Dr. Rychel enjoys incorporating a whole-istic approach to patient care, for both hospitalized critical care patients as well as animals rehabilitating at home. Dr. Rychel is available at PETS of Northern Colorado Tuesdays, and takes appointments for pain management, rehabilitation, acupuncture and integrative/complementary medicine.

 

Please call PETS at 970 339-8700 to check Dr. Rychel's availability and to schedule an appointment for your pet. 

 

Is my pet in pain?

 

Signs that your pet may be in pain include:

  • Hiding
  • Vocalizing
  • Aggression
  • Limping
  • Panting
  • Decreased play
  • Reluctance to jump or walk
  • Difficulty getting up
  • Pacing
  • Decreased appetite
  • Difficulty or pain when eliminating
  • Difficulty going up or down Stairs
  • Shaking
  • Hunched posture

  

Services Offered

 

Acupuncture

 

Though acupuncture was developed in ancient times, it still holds a place in modern medicine. With our advances in science and medicine we now understand more about how acupuncture works and how to target the nervous system to induce the body's own healing mechanisms.

 

Acupuncture can be used to treat:

  • Painful conditions
  • Weakness in elderly animals
  • Disk disease (IVDD) and Paralysis 
  • Neurologic diseases of any kind
  • Kidney disease
  • Nausea or Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Many other conditions  


Since you may not see a response after only one treatment, it is best to commit to 3-4 sessions to evaluate whether your pet will benefit from ongoing acupuncture treatments.

 

Pain Management

 

Managing an animal's pain is an essential first step in rehabilitating them from injury or illness. An animal that is free from pain is more able and willing to begin exercise and participation in everyday activities. Your pet's first visit with Dr. Rychel will include a comprehensive pain evaluation and recommendations for ongoing pain management throughout their therapy.

 

Rehabilitation

 

Rehabilitation in animals is similar to physical therapy in people. Though it is a newly evolving discipline in veterinary medicine, it makes sense that animals would also benefit from rehab after any injury or illness. It can also help animals who have chronic, degenerative or progressive diseases such as cancer, arthritis or degenerative myelopathy.

 

Goals for rehabilitation include:

  • Strengthening
  • Improving balance
  • Enhancing mobility
  • Returning animals to work or play more quickly