What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Veterinary Physiotherapy is a growing field that can offer animals the same high level of care and follow-up treatment as human patients, regardless of age or breed.

Why Use a Chartered Physio?

To become a specialised Veterinary Physiotherapist, there are certain qualifications and regulations that must be met:


  1. Education and Registration: To become a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in Veterinary Physiotherapy, you need to complete a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honors degree in Physiotherapy. Additionally, you must be registered with the Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC), which is a regulatory body in the UK.

  2. Membership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). As a specialised Veterinary Physiotherapist, it's important to be a member of this organisation. The title "Chartered Physiotherapist" is protected and can only be used by those who have completed the required BSc Honors degree.

  3. Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT): If a physiotherapist wants to join the ACPAT, they must be a chartered physiotherapist who has completed an approved accredited ACPAT course.

  4. Veterinary Consent: According to the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), only a Veterinary Surgeon or someone authorized by a Veterinary Surgeon can treat animals.


Benefits include:

  • Research is primarily extrapolated from the human field so a huge crossover in anatomy and physiology 
  • An ACPAT veterinary physiotherapist has been the choice of the GB equestrian Olympic team since 1992
  • Principles of assessment, treatment and clinical reasoning utilised and transferred from my human experience 
  • As a qualified human physiotherapist I can assess and treat you as the owner/rider as well

Equine Physiotherapy

Prevention is better than cure so even if you think there is nothing wrong, it is better to have someone examine your horse regularly. Regular assessment and treatment can pick up on subtle signs a problem is starting to develop and any concerns actioned early before a problem becomes chronic.


Physiotherapy can treat a range of issues. I try to be as holistic as possible in my approach.

Performance

Schooling issues:

  • Wrong canter lead
  • Bucking
  • Stiffness through one rein
  • Poor transitions up and down

Joint Conditions

Management of:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteochondrosis dissecans
  • Navicular syndrome etc.

Soft Tissue Injury

  • Muscle strains
  • Muscular imbalances
  • Tendon injuries

Maintenance

  • Restoring and maintaining function and performance
  • Regular assessments to help identify and prevent injury

Post-surgery

  • Support with rehabilitation following surgery of kissing spine
  • Arthroscopy
  • Fracture repair

Wound Healing

  • Post surgery wound sites
  • Abscesses
  • Field injuries

Neurological

  • Peripheral nerve injuries
  • The management of upper motor neurone & lower motor neurone conditions

Neck/Back/Pelvic Pain

  • Pain relief from chronic conditions
  • Muscle atrophy

Behaviour Change

  • Head shaking
  • Saddle fitting issues (i.e slipping)
  • Reluctance to tacking up/rugging up

Equine Treatments

For more information regarding available treatments for the above issues, please click below.

Canine Physiotherapy

Owners can participate in the implementation of the physiotherapy program by using a specified home exercise plan. Simple modifications to your dog's existing activity can make a major difference in terms of targeting certain muscle groups while still having fun with your dog. 


Long term use of pain relief is something no one enjoys, and pet owners can share this sentiment about their canine companions. Physiotherapy techniques including electrotherapy and hands-on soft tissue mobilisation can aid improve blood circulation to damaged areas, muscle tone, and lessen the need for medication.


Functional Issues

  • Reduced mobility
  • Struggling with activities of daily living

Soft Tissue Injury

  • Muscle strains
  • Muscular imbalances
  • Tendon injuries

Neurological conditions

  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Myelopathy
  • Poly radicular neuropathies

Joint conditions

  • Congenital hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Other orthopaedic conditions

Wound Management

  • Post surgery
  • Abscesses and bites

Job Specific

  • Regular assessments and treatments for working dogs or sporting animals

Obesity

  • Weight management
  • Strategies around feeding

Chronic Conditions

  • Older animal holistic management

Post Surgery

  • Pre & postoperative orthopaedic and neurological rehabilitation

Canine Treatmeants

For more information regarding available treatments for the above issues, please click below.

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