In this episode of Diagnostic Tails, Dr. Amy Armentrout and Dr. Lon Hayes sit down with internationally renowned rehab specialist Dr. Michelle Broadhurst. Drawing on her background in human chiropractic and decades of experience in both equine and small animal rehabilitation, Dr. Broadhurst dives into powerful recovery stories and breakthrough treatments—from helping paralyzed pets walk again to utilizing cutting-edge tools like shockwave and EMTT therapy. Discover how early intervention, diagnostic precision, and a collaborative rehab approach are transforming outcomes in veterinary medicine.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Diagnostic Tails & introduction of Dr. Michelle Broadhurst

01:10 – Dr. Broadhurst’s background: From human chiropractic to equine and small animal rehab

03:00 – What is veterinary rehab?: Beyond recovery—addressing compensation and full-body healing

05:00 – Common cases: Paralysis, post-surgical care, aging pets, and arthritis

06:15 – Prehab and strengthening before surgery

07:10 – Importance of client compliance and home exercises

08:00 – Environmental adaptations: Traction, nail trims, yoga mats & more

09:00 – Modalities used in rehab: Laser, water treadmill, shockwave, EMTT, Teca system, manual therapy

12:30 – Favorite tools: Hands, shockwave, EMTT

13:00 – Case study: 17-year-old hound regains mobility after paralysis

15:00 – Ideal patient personalities and how treatment is tailored

16:00 – Future of rehab: Standard of care, post-surgical protocols, and integrative teams

17:30 – Custom rehab plans vs. one-size-fits-all approaches

19:00 – Addressing soft tissue complications post-surgery

20:00 – Imaging in rehab: MRI, ultrasound, and diagnostics as cornerstones

22:30 – Final thoughts: Importance of diagnostics and access to Dr. Broadhurst’s clinic

Notable Quotes

“Rehab isn’t just about recovery—it’s about restoring function and preventing future breakdown.” – Dr. Michelle Broadhurst

“In rehab, your hands are your best tool—but shockwave and EMTT have absolutely transformed how we treat neurological cases.” – Dr. Michelle Broadhurst

“Diagnostics are the cornerstone of any good potential outcome. The more we know, the better we can treat.” – Dr. Michelle Broadhurst

“We used to have these cookie-cutter rehab plans. Now, we’re understanding how dynamic recovery truly is—every case needs a tailored approach.” – Dr. Amy Armentrout

Valuable Takeaways & Resources

Key Concepts:

• Functional rehab is essential after injury or surgery to prevent compensatory issues.
• Prehab (rehab before surgery) helps shorten recovery times and improve outcomes.
• Neurological plasticity means animals can regain function even a year or more post-injury.
• Client education and compliance are vital for long-term success.
• Environmental modifications—grippy surfaces, trimmed nails, ramps—can make or break a recovery.

Modalities Highlighted:

• Shockwave Therapy: For tendons, ligaments, and arthritis
• EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetic Transduction Therapy): Game-changer for neuro rehab
• Underwater treadmill: Reduces weight-bearing, retrains gait
• Manual therapy & chiropractic: Crucial hands-on components
• Laser & Teca Therapy: Reduce inflammation and...