Blogs

Acupuncture and Dry Needling are similar in that they both use acupuncture needles for treatment. But that’s where the similarities end.  Acupuncture is a very old practice that originated in the East thousands of years ago. According to Chinese medicine, it treats many conditions by aligning the meridians or energy fields of the body. Dr. … Read more

Why is manual therapy so important? At Arfit, our hands are our primary tools. We use them for evaluation and treatment. The art of manual therapy takes years to learn and many more years to perfect.  Each of our therapists are trained for thousands of hours on hundreds of dogs learning dozens of techniques.  With our … Read more

We’re thrilled to announce the grand opening of our second location, Arfit North Shore, coming to Northfield, IL, in Spring 2025! This expansion is allowing us to bring our trusted pet rehabilitation services and exceptional care to the North Shore community. At Arfit North Shore, you can expect the same high-quality therapies you rely on. … Read more

Strategically placed pet rugs can be a lifesaver for your pet. Does your pet like to jump onto the couch? Onto the bed or off that last stairstep? Placing a dog rug in front of the furniture or at the bottom of the stairs can save your dog from a slip injury. The grip of … Read more

One of the most common reasons a dog comes into Arfit is because they are limping. One might assume that since they are picking up a leg, the leg must be the problem. Veterinarians frequently diagnose these dogs with hip dysplasia or a CCL/ligament tear. Surgery may be recommended by veterinarians. Veterinarians prescribe rest and … Read more

Using a pet heating pad is one of the best ways to care for your fur babies at home. Heat is incredibly effective for soothing sore muscles and joints. For example, we all know how comforting a heating pad feels when we strain our lower back or neck. Well, your pets experience similar relief from … Read more

IVDD is often considered a scary diagnosis, but here’s why it’s misleading. IVDD stands for intervertebral disc disease. Vets diagnose it after an x-ray shows decreased intervertebral disc spaces, along with symptoms like low back pain or limb weakness. Traditionally, doctors believe that a herniated disc or pinched nerve could lead to paralysis. Consequently, they … Read more

There’s a new drug in town, Librela. And it’s a dangerous one! Veterinarians all over Chicago are aggressively selling this new “wonder drug.” They claim it’s a treatment for arthritis. But it has nothing to do with arthritis. It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it prevents pain signals from reaching your dogs, brain by blocking nerve … Read more

Dogs on hardwood floor Pups and Hardwood Floors. Chicagoans, we love our hardwood floors— the shinier, the better! A beautiful oak or maple floor can captivate anyone. However, while they look stunning, these slick, shiny surfaces can be a real challenge for our four-legged friends, especially as they age. You’ve probably seen your dog zooming … Read more

Dog’s feel pain just like people, and they may  be hurting in silence because they can’t tell us. They try hard to conceal it because being injured is dangerous in the wild. Limping and picking up a paw are obvious signs of pain, but many others are more subtle and can go on for years … Read more