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EQUINE PHYSIOTHERAPY

WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?

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Veterinary physiotherapy is a science based profession, which takes a holistic approach to each patient, by performing a thorough clinical history taking, examination and functional assessment to guide the choice of an optimal treatment plan. 

 

After assessment, typically a combination of the following treatment techniques are used to help any problems identified:  massage, myofascial release, joint mobilisations or manipulations,  stretches, electrotherapies and remedial exercise. 

 

Veterinary physiotherapy can be used alongside veterinary care to help the treatment or long-term management of many musculoskeletal or neurological conditions and injuries. It can assist rehabilitation of the animal, with the aims of reducing pain, improving movement, and restoring normal muscle control and function.

 

Veterinary physiotherapy may also be used for performance development of the animal athlete, helping to reduce the risk of injury and improve recovery post-competition, whilst maximising the athletic performance of sporting or working animals. 

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SIGNS THAT YOUR HORSE MAY BENEFIT FROM PHYSIOTHERAPY:

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  • Lameness

  • Decrease in athletic performance

  • Decreased hind limb engagement

  • Poor transitions

  • Disunited canter

  • Head tilting

  • Altered behaviour

  • Bucking 

  • Rearing

  • Cold backed 

  • Teeth grinding

  • Uneven shoe wear

  • Difficulty during shoeing

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IF YOUR HORSE PRESENTS WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

CONDITIONS, PHYSIOTHERAPY WILL BE OF BENEFIT:

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  • Soft tissue injuries

  • Wounds

  • Fibrosis 

  • Swelling or oedema

  • Back pain

  • Neck pain

  • Pelvic pain

  • Splints

  • Muscle atrophy

  • Nerve injuries

  • Joint injuries

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Sacroiliac disease

  • Proximal suspensory desmitis

  • Overriding dorsal spinous processes 

  • Post-operative interspinous ligament desmotomy

  • Post-operative resection of dorsal spinous processes

  • Upward fixation of patella

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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A TREATMENT

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VETERINARY CONSENT

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Veterinary physiotherapists are required to treat under veterinary referral or consent in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Authorisation from the animal’s veterinarian will therefore be required prior to treatment.

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We can obtain veterinary consent on your behalf or alternatively you can ask your veterinarian to complete the form and return to Laura prior to physiotherapy treatment.

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CASE HISTORY

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A full clinical history of the equine patient will be taken, discussing any relevant medical history along with the aims that you have for your horse. It may be useful to have made a note of any clinical history, including dates, prior to the physiotherapy treatment.

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STATIC ASSESSMENT

 

A static assessment of the equine patient will be performed. 

 

DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT

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The horse will be observed in walk and trot on a flat surface. On some occasions it may be required that the horse is ridden or lunged.

 

PALPATION

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A full musculoskeletal assessment will be performed through palpation in order to assess any muscular tension, pain, soreness, spasm, asymmetries, soft tissue adhesion, joint range of motion, swelling and abnormalities.

 

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TREATMENT

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After a thorough assessment and interpretation of findings, Laura will develop a treatment plan to meet individual patient requirements, however physiotherapy treatment usually consists of manual physiotherapeutic techniques including massage, myofascial release and passive stretching and electrotherapy.

 

AFTERCARE AND REMEDIAL EXERCISE

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Where appropriate, remedial exercise will be prescribed. Necessary and appropriate adaptations to the general management of the horse will be discussed with the owner.

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DURATION OF TREATMENT

The duration of treatment sessions is likely to be between 90 and 120 minutes. 

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