Cauda Equina Compression Syndrome – Isometry as an all-round exercise

What can you do for cauda equina compression syndrome?

Your dog has been diagnosed with Cauda Equina Compression Syndrome? Now it’s about how you can support your dog to walk again without discomfort. Cauda Equina Exercise

My “all-around” cauda equina exercise

I’ll tell you an absolute “all-around” exercise with different variations that are easy for you and your dog to learn. Best of all, you can do them anywhere and you don’t need any accessories! “All-around exercise” because it is extremely effective and works in multiple ways at once. With regular use, you train the muscles and strength in the back and hind legs. At the same time you promote coordination, balance and body awareness of your dog! Cauda Equina Compression Syndrome Exercise

Isometric training – what is it and how does it work?

Isometric training is a very effective way to train your dog’s muscles and strength. It is a special form of strength training, as the muscles are tensed without having to actively move them or a joint to do so. Your dog works against the resistance of your hand or against gravity. Isometric training is also good for dogs that have pain while moving a joint.

And this is how it works!

Your dog is standing on non-slip, level ground. You kneel behind your dog.

The first position: cauda equina exercise

Place your hands on the sides of your dog’s thighs. Now give light pressure with your left hand on the thigh to the right until you notice that your dog tenses the muscles and holds against it. Hold this position for about 3 seconds without rebounding or increasing the pressure. Then slowly release and give a slight push to the left with your right hand until you feel your dog tense the muscles and hold against it.

Hold this position again for about 3 seconds and then slowly release.

The second position: Cauda Equina Compression Syndrome Exercise

Next, place your hands on the front of your thighs and lightly clasp them. Now pull very lightly in your direction, as if you were trying to pull your dog toward you, until you feel your dog resist. Then hold for about 3 seconds and release again.

The third position:

Now place your hands flat on your dog’s lower back as if you were “pushing” him into the seat. Make sure your hands are not in the painful or operated area of your back. Now apply minimal downward pressure until you feel your dog resist. But he should not give in to the pressure and sit down! Just enough so that you feel a tightening of the muscles. Hold the pressure for 3 seconds. Then slowly let go again. It is important that the pressure you apply is very fine and never jerkily removed.

How often and for how long? Cauda Equina Compression Syndrome Exercise

Start with 3 repetitions of 3 seconds per exercise once a day. As the workout progresses, you can gradually increase the number of repetitions and the duration of the exercises.

As a great complement to Isometric Training, I recommend Cavaletti Training. In addition to musculature and coordination, joint mobility and a normal motion sequence are trained.