Dogs are mankind’s best friend, but they can also be a source of pain if they bite you. Dog bites can be scary and painful. Whether it’s from a small nip, infection, or a deep wound, dog bites can be serious injuries that may take weeks or even months to recover from.
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, you might be wondering how to heal and get back to normal. Physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for those individuals who are looking to restore mobility, alleviate pain, manage long-term symptoms, and improve function after a dog bite.
Dog bites, while they may seem like a rather small injury at first, can have significant injury consequences. Depending on the severity of the bite, dog bites may cause torn muscles or tendons, joint stiffness, nerve damage, swelling and inflammation, scar tissue buildup, infection, and of course an open wound. When an individual experiences a dog bite, they can also reduce their activity levels in hopesthat it will help reduce any pain that they’re experiencing, but this may also lead to muscle loss and reduced movement and range of motion over time.
Physical therapy can be a beneficial treatment option to help individuals address many of the injury and recovery challenges that stem from a recent dog bite.
After a dog bite, you may have noticed that it’s a little bit more difficult to move where the dog bite occurred. This may be because inflammation has set in, the muscles might be a bit weak or stiff, or you’re subconsciously nervous about moving it. Throughout the course of physical therapy treatment, you’ll work with a PT to strengthen weak areas, restore the range of motion, and reduce stiffness that may be contributing to tight muscles and tendons.
You’ll learn and begin to implement movements, exercises, and stretches that are safe and designed to help you overcome the injury. Over time, as your ability to perform the exercises improves, you’ll be able to move more freely with alleviated pain.
Another big issue that can happen as a result of a recent dog bite is the pain itself. Pain can be one of the most frustrating aspects of recovery, especially when the wound heals, but the pain sticks around. Physical therapy helps to promote wound healing by reducing swelling, improve blood flow, calming nerve pain, releasing tight muscles, and utilizing additional modalities that can be used to alleviate pain when it arises after a dog bite.
Getting back to your routine and everyday activities can also be a challenge after experiencing a dog bite. Physical therapy is a great way to help you get back to your regular routine and enable you to complete everyday activities with confidence. Your physical therapist will work with you to build functional strength so you can reduce the disruption to your routine as you progress through the healing process.
Scar tissue can also develop after a dog bite. This tissue can be tougher and less stretchy than normal skin which may limit your ability to bend or move. Physical therapists will work with you and implement manual therapy techniques to help minimize tissue scarring and help keep the area loose and prevent stiffness that may limit mobility.
If you’ve recently had a dog bite injury, physical therapy can be a beneficial treatment option for you. Our physical therapists will work with you to help address many of the common pitfalls that can stem from a recent dog bite including lingering pain or discomfort, nerve damage, muscle weakness, limited mobility, and limited function.
Our physical therapists will develop a unique and tailored treatment program that is designed to help you address your unique needs and goals.
Request an appointment for physical therapy after a dog bite at a PT location near you.
