What is McTimoney Animal Therapy?

McTimoney therapy is a form of physical therapy for all animals. The therapy will correct joint misalignments of the skeletal structure.

This will aid in:

• Correction of musculoskeletal dysfunction
• Improve well-being and performance
• Improving nervous system function
• Reducing the risk of future injury

During the assessment of your animal, the therapist will palpate the individual vertabrae of the horse or dog's spine. The therapist will assess whether two vertabrae which meet to create a joint may have become fixed within their normal range of movement. This is known as a joint misalignment.

(Photos showing a palpation assessment of the thoracolumber region of the spine of a horse and dog. The therapist will assess for areas of joint misalignments and muscle tension during the assessment.)

A joint misalignment can cause muscle tension, discomfort, loss of normal movement and impingement of nerves.  Without corrective treatment, the animal will begin to compensate in his movement to try to relieve the discomfort caused by the joint misalignment, which can lead to secondary joint misalignments and chronic or long term problems

When a joint misalignment is found, the therapist will use a very quick and specific adjustment to re-align individual vertabrae. The therapist will assess your horse or dogs whole body and then treat the animal as a whole, this means your animal receives an Holistic treatment

Sports Massage Techniques and Stretching

Also used within the treatment of your horse or dog are sports massage techniques and stretches, in this way your animal is receiving an holistic treatment;, helping to relieve pain, discomfort and aid in mental as well as physical relaxation and well being.

What is involved in the Treatment?

• Veterinary permission must be given to the owner of the animal before the  treatment can begin.
• The initial treatment will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Each further treatment should last about an hour.
• It is reccommended that you book the treatment when the yard or your house is as quiet as possible, this will help your animal get the full benefit of the treatment.
• A full case history will be taken, this will help your therapist to try and treat the cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms.
• Your horse or dog's gait will then be assessed, both in straight lines and while turning, in some cases you may be asked to lunge your horse and ride.
• Once your animal is back in a quiet environment, a manual assessment known as a palpation assesment will take place to assess for any areas of joint misalignments, pain, heat, inflammation or muscle asymmetry. This will enable the therapist to treat your animal accurately and effectively.
• The treatment itself will then take place, nearly all animals enjoy the treatment and will relax as the treatment progresses.
• Aftercare advice and exercises will be given to help improve your animal's progress after the treatment. You and your therapist need to work as a team to help your animal.
• Usually a follow up appointment is reccomended two weeks after the initial treatment.
• Once any initial problem has been resolved a treatment is reccommended at least every six months (depending on the level of work), to aid with correct musculoskeletal function.

All treatments are done by hand only and are non - invasive