Secondary Compensatory Lameness

All lower limb lameness affects the musculature of the horse's back. Upon injuring the foot or lower limb, the animal will compensate for the injury consequently putting added/different stress on subsequent upper leg and back muscles. Therefore, it is only logical to use Thermotex Infrared Therapy Systems Blanket to alleviate any secondary soreness within these muscles. A normal therapy regimen should be followed at least once per day with more aggressive plans initiated if the lameness is more severe.

Muscle soreness - Ideally, all of the horses in training should have the benefit of a pre-event warm-up before the initiation of the daily training program. After a particularly rigorous training session or work at speed, it is very beneficial to undergo another therapy session later in the day after the animal has cooled out. Extra therapy sessions later in the day after the workout can only help the equine athlete.

Massage Therapy - The benefits of massage have been scientifically proven throughout the years. What better way to prepare a patient for massage than a pretreatment with the Thermotex™ Infrared Therapy Systems blanket. Beginning the massage therapy session with an animal that is already relaxed and supple allows a more thorough and efficient massage. By pre-warming the patient, the light stroking portion of the therapy can be accomplished in about half the time that it normally takes. This then allows more time for deep work on problem areas ore more time stretching to restore full range of motion within the limbs.

Chiropractic Manipulation - The philosophy behind chiropractic care is based on the relationship of the spinal column to the nervous system and the role of the spinal column in the fundamental biomechanics of locomotion. Use Thermotex™ Infrared Therapy Systems Blanket upon the major muscles of the back allows for a more relaxed, supple chiropractic patient. The twelve element blanket contains a series of infrared heat pads that follow the musculature in close proximity on both sides of the spine. This deep penetrating heat results in relaxation, pain relief, and increased blood flow to this area. This ultimately allows for a more efficient chiropractic manipulation and adjustment.

Other Conditions - Over the years the blanket has been used in the following unique situations:

• As a field incubator for neonatal foal intensive care
• As an aid in the treatment of shock
• Adjunct therapy to an animal suffering an allergic reaction
• Numerous cases of trauma
• To help ease the spasms of Tetanus
• As an aid in the recovery of musculature from a patient who suffered seizures.
• To comfort mares suffering from Hypocalcemia
• To increase the blood supply to various lacerations to speed the healing process
• Aid in the recovery of "Sweeny"
• As an aid to speed the healing process on various abscesses.
• Acute laminitis
• As an aid in the recovery from an epileptic seizure.