Muscle and Soft Tissue Injuries
In-Home Canine Rehabilitation to Treat Muscle Strain, Improve Soft Tissue Function, and Support Long-Term Mobility
Muscle and Soft Tissue Injury in Dogs
Muscle and soft tissue injuries can significantly impair your dog’s comfort, strength, and mobility. These issues may arise from overuse, repetitive strain, acute injury, or compensation due to orthopaedic or neurological dysfunction. Common presentations include myofascial tightness, muscle weakness, contractures, and soft tissue pain—each of which can alter gait patterns and limit functional ability.
At Paws4Paws, we provide in-home rehabilitation programs tailored to your dog’s specific clinical presentation. Through detailed assessment and targeted therapy, we address muscular imbalances, restore normal tissue extensibility, and improve neuromuscular coordination. Whether your dog is recovering from an injury or showing signs of chronic soft tissue dysfunction, our goal is to support optimal musculoskeletal health and help them move more comfortably in their everyday environment.
Rehabilitation for Common Canine Muscle and Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscle and soft tissue injuries are a frequent source of pain, dysfunction, and altered movement patterns in dogs. These conditions may result from acute trauma, chronic overuse, compensation, neurological impairment, or post-surgical recovery. Left untreated, they can lead to biomechanical imbalance, joint stress, and reduced mobility.
At Paws4Paws, we deliver targeted in-home rehabilitation for issues such as muscle strain, atrophy, tendon dysfunction, ligament injury, and myofascial restriction.
Muscle Strain and Injury
Muscle strain in dogs can occur from sudden trauma or repetitive overuse, leading to localised discomfort, reduced mobility, or a change in gait. Dogs may hesitate to jump, show stiffness, or exhibit sensitivity in the affected area. Early intervention is important to support tissue healing and prevent compensation elsewhere in the body. We use targeted manual therapy and laser therapy to relieve pain, support tissue healing, improve circulation, and combine this with controlled therapeutic exercise to restore normal function and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Tendon Pathologies
Tendon pathologies refer to injuries or degeneration of tendons, which may develop gradually from overuse, biomechanical imbalance, repetitive strain, or ageing. Commonly affected tendons include the biceps, supraspinatus, and Achilles tendon. Dogs may show intermittent lameness, stiffness after rest, or discomfort during activity. These conditions may involve inflammation (tendinitis) or chronic degeneration (tendinosis). Treatment focuses on reducing pain, restoring function, and strengthening the affected region.
Muscle Stiffness
Muscle stiffness in dogs may result from overuse, injury, chronic compensation, neurological conditions, or age-related musculoskeletal changes. It often presents as reduced range of motion, reluctance to move, or visible discomfort during activity.. In-home rehabilitation includes soft tissue mobilisation, stretching, remedial massage, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education and laser therapy to reduce stiffness, ease pain, restore flexibility, improve circulation, and support healthy, more efficient functional movement patterns.
ACL Injury
Cruciate ligament injury is a leading cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs, resulting from partial or complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), similar to the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury leads to joint instability, inflammation, pain, and secondary osteoarthritis. Rehabilitation supports both conservative and post-surgical management by addressing limb function, joint stability, and compensatory strain. Treatment includes targeted exercise, proprioceptive training, manual therapy, and laser therapy (PBMT).
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle atrophy—also known as muscle wastage or loss of muscle mass—can develop due to disuse, pain, neurological conditions, or ageing. It’s commonly seen after surgery, with arthritis, or in dogs recovering from injury. Reduced muscle strength affects mobility, balance, and overall function. Through targeted therapeutic exercise, balance work, and controlled strengthening, we help rebuild muscle and support safe, confident movement. Manual therapy is used to address compensatory tension and improve circulation, ensuring that each dog regains strength in a way that supports comfort and long-term mobility.
Ligament Injuries
Ligaments provide joint stability, and when injured, they can lead to pain, swelling, and abnormal movement. While cruciate ligament injuries are common, dogs can also injure other ligaments such as the collateral ligaments of the stifle, carpus or hock, or spinal support ligaments like the iliolumbar. These injuries may result from trauma, hyperextension, or chronic overload. Rehabilitation aims to restore joint stability, manage compensatory strain, and support recovery through targeted manual therapy and controlled strengthening. Our treatment plans are tailored to each dog’s specific presentation and functional needs.
Why Rehabiliation Matters for Muslce and Soft Tissue Injuries
Effective rehabilitation is essential to restore tissue integrity, minimise long-term dysfunction, and support optimal musculoskeletal health. Whether the goal is to resolve a recent strain, address chronic compensatory patterns, or manage the consequences of disuse or neurological involvement, structured therapy ensures recovery is purposeful and progressive.
Canine rehabilitation focuses on improving soft tissue extensibility, reducing pain and inflammation, enhancing neuromuscular coordination, and rebuilding functional strength. Without intervention, these conditions can lead to compensatory gait changes, joint overload, and an increased risk of reinjury.
All treatments are guided by a comprehensive clinical assessment and delivered in your dog’s familiar home environment—maximising comfort and relevance to everyday movement challenges.
