Manual Therapy 

 

• Manual therapy is the use of hands on techniques applied to the joints and soft tissues, to reduce muscle spasm, improve movement, relieve pain and swelling, techniques include:

   

• Soft tissues release techniques

• Reflex Techniques

• Passive movements and stretches 

• Joint mobilisation techniques 

Electrotherapy 

 

Electrotherapy is an umbrella term for the use of electrotherapeutic modalities that are applied to disrupted tissues to influence pain, promote healing or stimulate muscles.

 

The use of electrotherapy requires careful selection of the appropriate modality relating to the presenting condition and stage of healing for it to be most effective. Physiotherapists use a working knowledge of physics and pathology to decide which modality is appropriate for the animal.

 

Different types of electrotherapy that may be used include:  

 

Ultrasound 

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation 

Laser 

TENs

 

Exercise Therapy 

 

Exercise is a fundamental part of physiotherapy treatments and rehabilitation programmes. 

 

Exercise therapy is important for strengthening weakened muscles, improving muscle activity, improving movement, re-educating movement patterns and improving proprioception. 

 

Equine exercise programmes may consist of: 

long reining 

lunging 

Pole work 

Stretches 

Ridden programmes 

 

Canine exercise programmes may consist of:

hydrotherapy 

stretches 

lead walking

slops/stairs 

obstacles 

wobble pads

 

 

We may also use facilitation aids during our rehabilitation exercises to help your animal improve, these could include kinesio taping, proprioceptive aids, chain bracelets and weighted boots. 

 

 

Treatments 

Physiotherapists are skilled in a variety of treatments that help maximise performance, enhance recovery, restore function and alleviate pain. Chartered physiotherapists use in depth knowledge and understanding of anatomy, biomechanics and pathology combined with sound palpation and clinical reasoning skills to fully assess then devise appropriate treatment programmes relating to the animals condition, stage of healing and presenting problems. 

 

There are many treatment modalities available to your animal and during treatment sessions, your animal may receive one or more of the following treatments