Chiropractic treatment for your Equine
McTimoney Animal Chiropractic is a scientific approach which focuses on the body as a whole, encompassing a holistic approach to treatment.
The treatment itself focusses upon the musculoskeletal system, addressing areas of dysfunction and pain. The treatment itself will utilise techniques which are readily accepted by animals, with just the practitioners hands focussing predominantly on the neck, spine and pelvis, promoting the bodies own innate ability to heal itself.
What does Equine McTimoney do?
McTimoney is a holistic the treatment which was founded in 1950's by John McTimoney who had originally created the treatment for the use on humans and then later adapted for the use of animals. McTimoney treatment focuses on the whole body.
The treatment uses chiropractic techniques to help realign and balance the musculoskeletal system. McTimoney treatment is based on the principle that discomfort within the musculoskeletal system is caused by abnormal function of the spinal column. Resulting in a reduced range of motion, muscle tightness or spasm.
McTimoney chiropractors work to restore neuromuscular function as a result of muscular spasm and skeletal misalignments, a misalignment occurs when a vertebrae and bone is no longer aligned with its neighbouring bone and has become stuck in its range of motion.Key to the skeleton is the spinal column which everything is based upon.
The spinal column consists of the spinal cord which has a pair of nerves innervating and exiting at each intervertebral joints. The nerves are messengers to the brain and the rest of the body providing information but also ensuring that organs and locomotor muscles are functioning optimally.
When the area becomes stuck in there range of movement causing the musculature to tighten impairing the nerves inserting and exiting the spinal cord. Our role as McTimoney chiropractors is to provide localised treatment to the joint in order to cause hypercontraction causing surrounding muscle to contract and then relax, this can be immediate or can take as long as 72 hours for the joint to find a neutral state. .
What to expect from the treatment:
Veterinary consent will be sought in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966 and the Veterinary Exemptions order of 2015 prior to any treatment.
If you require a Veterinary consent form please click below.
Comprehensive history
History will be taken including previous issues, management of lifestyle, exercise regimes and specific concerns of your animal in order to enable the practitioner to obtain a understanding of the animal as a whole.
Static/ Dynamic
The animal will be observed for conformation and blemishes whilst standing and at walk and trot. The horse will also be backed up and circled to assess for areas of dysfunction.
Palpation
The animal will be assessed from neck, spine and pelvis along with the distal portion of the limb to assess for misalignments, tension or spasm.
Treatment and After care.
Areas of dysfunction will be treated by adapting the McTimoney Technique. Post treatment the client will be given a after care tailored to that animal to prolong the treatment benefits.
Symptoms to look out for from your equine:
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Changes in your horses behaviour when being handled or ridden.
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Uneven in movement
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Preferring a particular rein
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Unable to stand square behind, or shifting weight.
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Tension or spasm in a particular area.
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Saddle slipping to one side or uneven saddle pressure.
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Change in behaviour when being groomed for example dipping of the back.
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Restricted range of motion of a joint or area.
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Asymmetries in musculature development.
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Changes to performance
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Uneven hoof wear of shoes.
