Equine Physiotherapy 

Every horse is an athlete no matter the level and we are dedicated to maintaining your horses health, fitness and preventing injuries. Together working alongside your veterinary surgeon, farrier, dentist, saddle fitter, trainer and chiropractor as a physiotherapist we can optimise your horses potential or maintain there current state regardless of the horses' discipline, competition level or whether they are the family hack or pony club pony.

Horses are stoic animals so it is important that they are regularly assessed and treated to prevent injury but also to keep track of any potential changes. If you notice any differences to you horse whether it be behavioural, or performance related, they may be in need of a physiotherapy assessment. 

 

Common equine conditions that could benefit include, but not limited to:

  • Kissing spines
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sacroiliac
  • Fractures
  • Laminitis
  • Post-surgery rehabilitation
  • Osteochondrosis
  • Mud fever 
  • Tendon and ligament injuries 

 

Canine Physiotherapy 

Canine physiotherapy varies from maintenance treatment keeping pets functioning, improving performance, maintaining fitness, reduce asymmetries and reduce risk of injury.

We work closely with you, your dog and the veterinary surgeon, under veterinary referral,  to design the best treatment plan. This can not only be fun for you and your dog but it can also increase the bond you already have. 

 

Common canine conditions that could benefit include, but not limited to:

  • Dysplasia (hip or elbow)
  • Patella Luxations 
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Weakness
  • Obesity
  • Muscle, tendon or ligament strains
  • Neurological conditions 
  • Fractures

INDIBA 

INDIBA is a Radio-frequency treatment that works at a cellular level and has been supported by many scientific peer reviewed papers over the period of more than 35 years in both the human and veterinary fields. 

Radio-frequency at 448Hz activated the body's natural healing mechanisms to regenerate and repaid by cellular bio-stimulation, improvement of blood flow and pain reduction. 

INDIBA is able to treat a wide variety of conditions, injuries and tissue types, with some listed below:

  • Joint conditions – osteoarthritis (OA), osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), sacroilliac (SI) dysfunction
  • Muscle recovery, tonicity and functionality
  • Muscle tears
  • Bone splints
  • Tendon injuries – acute or chronic; tendonitis, tears, ruptures, avulsion fractures…
  • Ligament injuries – acute or chronic; desmitis, tears, ruptures…
  • Spine conditions – kissing spine (ODSP), facet joint OA
  • Wounds
  • Pre-surgical preparation
  • Post-surgical recovery and rehabilitation, even in the presence of metal implants.
  • Promotion of the lymphatic system
  • Laminitis
  • Side bone

What to expect from a physiotherapy session? 

Initial Assessment 

On initial assessment, following vet consent and history taking, a thorough assessment of your pet will entail static and dynamic analysis. This is done via multiple assessment tools, and palpation along with clinical reasoning to ensure all treatments are efficently selected.  This allows us to locate areas of concern and draw up the best treatment plan for efficient rehabilitation and/or maintenance treatment. Treatment progression is always based around your goals as an owner. At Paws to Ponies Vet Physio we guarantee to improve your animals well-being on every treatment and assessment. 

Treatment 

Veterinary physiotherapy is made up of several techniques that assist and promote the body's natural healing mechanisms and improve quality of life. You can expect multiple techniques to be used such as; massage, myofascial release, trigger point release, join mobilisations, stretches and exercise prescription. 

Each animal is individual so each treatment session is bespoke to each animal's personal needs.

Benifits include but are not limited too:
  • Reduced pain or pain management
  • Improved lympatic drainage 
  • Maintain joint mobility 
  • Improve, maintain or develop muscle
  • Improve proprioception 
  • Increase blood flow
  • Aid recovery 
  • Prevent injury or further injuries

Electrotherapies

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT)

PMFT uses magnetic energy to restore or change a cell's potential enhancing the body's natural repair process. PMFT is effective for reducing inflammation, fracture repair, nerve regeneration and pain control. 

 

Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy)

Laser therapy uses blue, infrared and visible red light via light emitting diodes transfering energy to the targeted tissue either altering the chemical structure within cells or in the form of heat. The different coloured lasers have different used, with blue phototherapy being useful in treating infected wounds (e.g. mud fever). Infrared and visible red can penetrate deeper into tissue, enhancing wound repair, increasing, circulation and reducing muscle spams. 

 

Therapeutic Ultrasound 

This is the application of sound waves to an area causing mechanical micro massage of tissues increasing circulation, enhance collagen production, reduce scar tissue formation by encouraging the appropriate orientation of the new forming collagen fibres.

 

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

NMES uses a small electrical current applied to certain muscles to stimulate movement. This is used to rebuild or maintain muscle mass and can also be used for pain control. NMES is particularly useful in paralysed or recumbent dogs.

 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS is primarily used for pain control due to it causing the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, β endorphin and other hormones. It can also be used to produce some muscle contraction. It is often used after surgery but can be used in the management of chronic or acute pain.