Recharge Veterinary Physiotherapy

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Recharge Veterinary Physiotherapy

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Lana Charge
MVetPhys, CCBW, Cat Friendly Professional
Essex📍
RAMP accredited✅
Specialising in small animal post operative /injury rehabilitation🐕🐈‍⬛
Meeting both physical and mental needs for happy pets❤️
Veterinary experience🩺🐶
Lecturer at ARU👩‍🎓 Accredited by the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) and the Register of Musculoskeletal Animal Practitioners (RAMP), assuring the highest standards of physiotherapy.

04/02/2026

Mental enrichment is like a workout for the brain—it tires them out way more effectively than a long walk ever could! By combining cognitive (problem-solving) and occupational (having a "job") enrichment, we give our pets a sense of purpose and a chance to use their natural intelligence.

🐶Dogs thrive when they have a task to complete. It taps into their working heritage.

🐈Cats are ambush predators; their "job" is usually centred around the hunt and territory management.

🐴Horses are incredibly observant and benefit from tasks that break up the monotony of the field or stable.

Here are some ways to get those gears turning for dogs, cats and horses.

02/02/2026

What does the word enrichment mean to you?

Enrichment is a word used a lot when talking about the wellbeing of our pets. But what does it actually mean, and why is it important?

Put simply, enrichment encompasses the idea of adding value to something. How can we add value to our animals' lives to make them infinitely better? This goes beyond food games and puzzle feeders. Done correctly, enrichment can transform our pets daily lives to enhance welfare, encourage natural behaviors and give them choice and control within their environment.

Over the next few days we will explore different types of enrichment and how you can make small changes at home to add huge value for your pets.

29/01/2026

If animals could talk, what would they say?...💭

26/01/2026

Are injuries accidents?

As vet physios we see a lot of injuries ranging in severity within our practice. Often, these are described as being very sudden in nature eg.

“We were out for a walk and he was running around, then all of a sudden he yelped and couldn’t put his leg to the ground”

Or

“He jumped off the sofa when the doorbell rang as he always does, then just like that he couldn't use his back legs anymore”

However, when we start to speak with the owner about what happened, they often tell us that they had noticed some little signs well before the traumatic injury took place, that they either thought nothing of at the time, or didn't want to acknowledge:

“Well I had noticed him being a bit slower and stiffer to rise in the morning, but I just put it down to getting older”

“A couple of months ago he was a bit wobbly on the way home from our walk, but I thought he was just tired”

Now the question we will never know the answer to for sure is had we acted sooner could we have prevented the traumatic injury occurring altogether. But what we do know is that very rarely does an injury just happen out of the blue. More commonly, what started as a little imbalance or weakness somewhere, alters posture and movement, putting pressure on other structures whilst strength is lost in the unused tissues. Over time, something has to give, and when the last straw does, what do we see? A sudden, traumatic injury.

Do you have any experience with this? Let us know your thoughts!

23/01/2026

We are proud to say we have raised £265 For in our Christmas fundraiser this year!

This will enable StreetVet’s fantastic veterinary professionals to provide life changing care to homeless dogs in need of their help this year.

Thank you everyone for your kind donations - we, the lovely dogs and people living on the streets are so grateful💛

Our donation page will remain open until 31st January, linked here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/lana-charge-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

20/01/2026

Last up is Standing & Giving Paw (Bird Dog)!

This exercise is a brilliant way to work on your dog’s balance and "proprioception" (their body's awareness of where it is in space). By asking your dog to lift one paw while standing, you are forcing them to stabilise their weight on the remaining legs.

The Muscles Worked:

💪Core (Obliques & Abdominals): These engage to prevent the torso from tilting or wobbling while the paw is lifted.

💪Shoulder Stabilisers: The muscles of the supporting front leg work overtime to keep the shoulder joint secure.

💪Hip Abductors: These engage on the back legs to prevent the hips from swaying to the side.

💪Biceps & Brachialis: These muscles in the lifted arm work to flex the elbow and hold the paw up.

The Joints Involved:

🦴Supporting Shoulder & Elbow: These joints manage the increased weight shift, building strength in the surrounding ligaments.

🦴The Carpus (Wrist): The wrist of the supporting leg acts as a steady pillar, improving joint stability.

🦴Hips: The hip joints on the ground must remain steady to counterbalance the movement in the front.

⚠️ Safety First:

Surface Matters: Always perform these exercises on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or a sturdy rug. Doing exercises on hardwood or tile floors can cause your dog’s paws to slide out, which leads to muscle strains rather than muscle gains!

Get Checked Out: If your dog is currently lame, stiff, or recovering from an injury, please consult with your vet before trying these exercises. Safety is our top priority!

18/01/2026

Next up are Tricep Dips!

This exercise is specifically designed to target the front assembly. Since dogs carry the majority of their weight on their front legs, building strong "push-off" power in the shoulders and elbows is essential for overall mobility.

The Muscles Worked:

💪Triceps Brachii: Located on the back of the upper arm, these are the primary muscles responsible for straightening the elbow and supporting the body's weight.

💪Shoulder Stabilisers: These muscles (including the supraspinatus) wrap around the shoulder joint to keep it secure and steady during the "dip."

💪Pectorals: These chest muscles work to keep the front legs tucked in and prevent the elbows from flaring out.

💪Serratus Ventralis: This acts as a muscular "sling," supporting the trunk of the body between the two front shoulder blades.

The Joints Involved:

🦴Elbows: The star of this exercise! The elbows move through a controlled range of motion to build strength in the surrounding tendons.

🦴Shoulders: This joint must remain stable and centered as the dog's center of gravity shifts downward.

🦴Carpus (Wrists): These maintain a strong, fixed position to provide a solid base of support for the front end.

⚠️ Safety First:

Surface Matters: Always perform these exercises on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or a sturdy rug. Doing exercises on hardwood or tile floors can cause your dog’s paws to slide out, which leads to muscle strains rather than muscle gains!

Get Checked Out: If your dog is currently lame, stiff, or recovering from an injury, please consult with your vet before trying these exercises. Safety is our top priority!

16/01/2026

Next up is Side Stepping!

This exercise is a fantastic way to work on your dog’s lateral stability and core strength. By moving sideways, we target the muscles that support the joints—movements they don't often get during a standard walk.

The Muscles Worked:

💪Abductors & Adductors: These are the inner and outer thigh muscles that move the legs away from and back toward the body.

💪Gluteals: These help stabilise the hips during the lateral shift.

💪Obliques: These side core muscles work hard to keep the spine straight and prevent the body from curving.

💪Shoulder Stabilisers: These keep the front assembly steady as the dog shifts their weight from side to side.

The Joints Involved:

🦴Hips: Side stepping works the hip joints through a different plane of motion, which is great for overall joint health and flexibility.

🦴Carpus & Tarsus (Wrists & Ankles): These joints learn to manage "lateral loading," helping to prevent slips and trips.

🦴Shoulders: The shoulders must stabilise the torso to ensure the dog moves in a straight line rather than a curve.

⚠️ Safety First:

Surface Matters: Always perform these exercises on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or a sturdy rug. Doing exercises on hardwood or tile floors can cause your dog’s paws to slide out, which leads to muscle strains rather than muscle gains!

Get Checked Out: If your dog is currently lame, stiff, or recovering from an injury, please consult with your vet before trying these exercises. Safety is our top priority!

14/01/2026

Next up are Press Ups!

While we often focus on the hind legs, the front legs carry about 60% of your dog's weight. Press ups (shifting from a stand to a "down" and back up) are essential for strengthening the shoulders and chest.

The Muscles Worked:

💪Triceps: Located at the back of the front leg, these are the primary "push-up" muscles that straighten the elbow.

💪Pectorals: These chest muscles stabilise the front legs and help pull the body upward.

💪Shoulder Stabilisers: A group of muscles (like the supraspinatus) that keep the shoulder joint tight and secure.

💪Core & Epaxials: These keep the spine stable so your dog doesn't "sag" while moving between positions.

The Joints Involved:

🦴Elbows: These joints do the majority of the work, moving from a flexed position in the "down" to full extension in the "stand."

🦴Shoulders: These manage the weight shift and provide the stability needed to push the chest off the floor.

🦴Carpus (Wrists): These act as the shock absorbers and the base of support for the front end.

⚠️ Safety First:

Surface Matters: Always perform these exercises on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or a sturdy rug. Doing exercises on hardwood or tile floors can cause your dog’s paws to slide out, which leads to muscle strains rather than muscle gains!

Get Checked Out: If your dog is currently lame, stiff, or recovering from an injury, please consult with your vet before trying these exercises. Safety is our top priority!

12/01/2026

🐾 Dog Fitness Exercise Series 🐾

This week we are spotlighting how you can use simple fitness exercises to boost your dog's strength, balance, and long-term mobility. You don't need fancy equipment to see real results—just a bit of consistency and the right technique!

To kick things off, we are looking at the "Squat" (Sit-to-Stand).

The Muscles Worked:

💪Quadriceps: Located on the front of the thigh, these do the heavy lifting to straighten the leg.

💪Gluteals: These provide the power for the upward push.

💪Hamstrings: Found at the back of the thigh, these help stabilise the leg during the movement.

💪Core: The muscles along the spine work to keep your dog’s back level and steady.

The Joints Involved:

🦴Hips & Stifles (Knees): This exercise takes these joints through their full functional range of motion, keeping them lubricated and healthy.

🦴Hocks (Ankles): These act as the foundation, absorbing and pushing weight as your dog moves.

⚠️ Safety First:

Always perform these exercises on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or a sturdy rug. Doing exercises on hardwood or tile floors can cause your dog’s paws to slip, which leads to muscle strains rather than muscle gains!

Get Checked Out: If your dog is currently lame, stiff, or recovering from an injury, please consult with your vet before trying these exercises. Safety is our top priority!

08/01/2026

When I was younger I was constantly told not to work with animals. That unless I became a veterinary surgeon, a career with animals didn’t even count as a real job, just a hobby. What is that saying - ‘never work with children or animals’! But I was obsessed with my animals, and they meant the world to me. I knew in my heart that I couldn’t do anything else.

And I am so grateful to myself for trusting my gut. Working with your beautiful animals to regain their joy in movement and life is the most rewarding, fulfilling career I could ever imagine. And it has taken me to places I never thought I would go, even a few stints on BBC Radio 1! (Watch to listen in!)

Here’s to another year of RVP - the year of the horse, how fitting!🐎

05/01/2026

When I met sweet older girl Poppy, it was clear that she absolutely loved sniffing. I am sure she is a bloodhound shaped like a chihuahua, as I get thoroughly examined for all the smells as soon as I come through the door!

With her mobility challenges, but still being so bright in herself, I suggested to her wonderful owner that we try some snuffle toys for her.

Poppy, as expected, ADORES them! She gets so excited to have her snuffle ball filled up each afternoon and get some gentle exercise as she pushes it around to find the hidden treats.

For me this demonstrates how taking care to think about the activities your dog enjoys and how you can safely provide them with more opportunities to do those activities is unbelievably valuable to their quality of life, even in their golden years💛

Address

Braintree

Telephone

+447511806412

Website

http://www.rechargeveterinaryphysiotherapy.co.uk/

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