McTimoney Therapy
McTimoney therapy aligns and balances the musculoskeletal system in a gentle way, allowing releases to take place without force. Horses can suffer back, neck, pelvic and muscle pain as well as humans. Sometimes we interpret this as bad behaviour.
Musculoskeletal problems in the horse can contribute to a lack of performance, a reduction in range of movement, and an increase in undesirable, or naughty behaviour, such as napping, bucking, rearing, refusing and reluctance to move forward. Sometimes, the signs of discomfort are more subtle such as tail swishing; teeth grinding; sensitivity on grooming or girthing. Uncharacteristic changes in behaviour sre particularly indicative of a muscle or skeletal problem.
By the same token, problems emanating from the limb may manifest themselves as dysfunction along the spinal column. This is why Pauline says that it is so important to assess the horse as a whole, and to work in close conjunction with the veterinary surgeon for the best possible outcome for the horse.
Pauline spends valuable time assessing the history of the horse as well as both a static and dynamic assessment of the conformation before proceeding further. Once the horse has been assessed, she palpates the major musculoskeletal landmarks across the spine and the limbs for irregularities, and signs of dysfunction.
When appropriate, Pauline starts with a baseline treatment to soften the muscle and connective tissues before applying gentle targetted manipulation along the spinal column. She follows with stretches which are applied to areas of hypersensitivity, muscle tension, or areas with decreased range of movement. Pauline also offers specific Horse Therapy Programs designed to help the horse achieve full range of motion and desirable muscle balance.
McTimoney Corley Therapy can provide an effective means of helping the horse regain a full range of movement following injury or operation. However, it is a useful tool in the maintenance and management of your horse where sub clinical issues can impact on performance.
When McTimoney Therapy is Useful
The types of situation when McTimoney Corley horse back therapy can be useful are following any trauma, accident, injury, slip, fall, or even being cast in the stable. Sometimes horses can cause injury to themselves by awkward rolling or even bucking in the field, as well as loading, unloading and travelling. The horse can start to compensate for pain causing tension or shortening of certain muscle groups, and consequently incorrect muscle usage.This can then lead to misalignments in the spinal column and skeletal structures.
Equine Spinal Therapy can help to re establish correct muscle tone, allowing correct spinal alignment, and thus encouraging correct muscle movement and development.
McTimoney Corley therapy may be useful in the following situations:
- A sudden change in behaviour of your horse eg bucking, refusing to jump, agitation when being worked.
- Reluctance to go forward
- Lack of bend through horse’s body
- Head tilt
- Following a slip, fall, or being cast.
- Short or uneven strides
- Following injury or operation
- Following foaling
Can McTimoney Therapy be used on other animals?
McTimoney therapy can also be used for other animals such as dogs to aid overall comfort or agility.
Treatment
Average treatment costs £45, and lasts approximately 1 hour
Please contact Pauline on 07791 423 772 if you are interested in find out more about McTimoney Therapy and the services Pauline can provide.