Your dog’s myotherapy treatment
Start your dog’s journey to better mobility and living their best life, here!
Veterinary consent
I provide a referral service and, whilst I can assess your dog, your veterinary surgeon is responsible for providing primary care in all cases. Therefore, before I can start your dog’s treatment, veterinary consent is required.
“Following treatment, Tundra is more active. He has regained a greater range of movement, is displaying easier movement and is extending his pelvic limbs more freely.”
Tundra . . .
> Tundra is an Alaskan Malamute whose owner sought myotherapy treatment to support a long-term minor lateral rotation of his right limb as he aged.
> Tundra is a classic example of how insidious changes to muscles can affect a dog’s overall movement and comfort over time.
> A seemingly innocuous issue such as this may appear to have no impact however, they almost always have a compensatory effect which can lead to pain and tension in the neck and shoulders.
> Tundra’s owners observed positive changes to his behaviour following treatment. He would previously lower his head to prevent being touched and groomed over his chest area, but he is now much more comfortable and happily accepts grooming.
What to expect
In most cases, three to four treatments are sufficient to see an improvement in your dog’s condition and overall demeanour.
Where appropriate, I will also integrate heat and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy or PEMF, along with Photizo red and infrared light to stimulate the body’s inherent healing mechanisms into your dog’s treatment.
More about PEMF
> Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy is a non-invasive pain management tool that allows electromagnetic pulses of energy to penetrate the body at a cellular level.
> PEMF stimulates cells and enhances any living being’s ability to achieve internal balance.
> Animals are highly sensitive and respond positively to PEMF when used to assist in their recovery and general maintenance.
> It can support the repair of soft tissue, muscles, ligaments, and tendons and is particularly beneficial in its effects on osteoarthritis.
More about Photizo
> Photizo Vetcare treatment delivers an evidence-based dose of red and infrared light to stimulate your dog’s inherent healing mechanisms via a process called photobiomodulation.
> The combination of light treatment increases the blood and lymph flow, promoting the inflow of oxygen and nutrients, encouraging cells to function at optimum levels.
> Its application increases the blood supply to wounds, muscles and joints, reducing swelling, inflammation and helping with pain relief.
> It stimulates the cells needed for collagen formation, essential for wound closure, healthy muscles and bone formation, making it a valuable addition to your dog’s canine massage treatment.
“We simply can’t thank you enough!
Tilly is living ife to the full again.”
Tilly . . .
> Tilly the Cocker Spaniel had surgery in June 2016 to remove two damaged thoracolumbar discs.
> She recovered well but was ataxic on her hind legs and her vet owner felt she was still stiff and sore, despite having hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.
> I treated Tilly to ease her stiffness, allowing her to move more fluidly and develop a straighter top line. Her ataxia improved dramatically and she stopped requiring pain medication.
> Tilly continued to have treatment every four to six weeks to maintain her flexibility and whist sadly her owner lost her last year, she was able to maintain a full and active life up until that time.
“I’ve been able to cut her Tramadol down and she’s coping very well.
She has more mobility, is more active on her walks and what’s to play more than she has for a long while.”
Gemma . . .
> Gemma is a Rottweiler plagued with shoulder issues since she was a couple of years old. She developed osteoarthritis in her right elbow and shoulder and was showing signs of intermittent lameness and stiffness when rising or after play.
> Alongside treatment, her owners addressed her environment with simple but highly effective home modifications to ensure she didn’t slip when moving around the house, which would exacerbate her symptoms through repetitive strain on her shoulders.
> Gemma’s owners feel that since myotherapy treatment, the stiffness and lameness have become less noticeable, and her movement generally is much better. Most importantly, she’s a much happier dog.
Functional exercise
I encourage owners to undertake tailored exercises with their dogs that support their natural biomechanics, resulting in more natural movement patterns and a more balanced gait.
Implementing these personalised exercises at home is easy, and whilst they may look simple, they make a genuine difference to your dog and support their ongoing myotherapy treatment.
ACE Free work
ACE Free work is an excellent way of reducing stress in dogs, and the anxiety that comes with unfamiliar situations can lead to excessive muscle tension.
Free work allows your dog time to process a range of sensory information in a safe space and is invaluable in supporting my more anxious clients with their initial assessments.
More about ACE
> Animal Centred Education or ACE is an integrated approach to animal wellbeing that incorporates methods developed by Sarah Fisher at Tilley Farm, such as ACE Free Work.
> Many dogs struggle when in novel situations and many cannot tolerate contact when aroused, worried or in new or exciting environments. ACE Free Work provides an invaluable tool for encouraging quiet interactions, by encouraging dogs to engage with a variety of items at liberty.
> Observing a dog exploring novel environments allows us to gather information on body tension, potentially undiagnosed pain, mobility issues and subtle postural issues without interruption.
> By slowing down movement and helping the dog relax, it becomes easier to see if a dog is stiff and whether any reinforced postural patterns are apparent.
“Treatment has made a tremendous difference. She always enjoys her sessions and lies willingly for massage.
Ruby had to have surgery in the end, but I’m sure that myotherapy prepared her for surgery and helped her recover quicker.”
Ruby . . .
> Ruby is a Cockapoo whose owners sought myotherapy treatment following a cruciate injury.
> Initially, exploring conservative management, they sought myotherapy to relieve the tension, pain and inflammation in her neck and back muscles, and particularly those of her other hind limb, now taking the strain.
> Following a course of myotherapy, a second veterinary opinion and x-rays, Ruby did undergo surgery and has continued with treatment to support her overall recovery, along with a careful programme of gently increasing exercise and management.
> Myotherapy has an important role to play in any postoperative treatment plan and a holistic approach ensured that possible compensatory issues or areas of referred pain prior to surgery did not impact Ruby’s future mobility.
Positive PACT®
Galen Myotherapy developed PACT® or the Progressive Affective Cycle of Therapy handling protocol to ensure your dog’s treatment is 100% choice-led and involves no form of restraint.
I treat my canine clients mindfully and with respect and always give them the time to acclimatise and the choice to engage with their treatment.
My clinic allows dogs to have their owners present for support, in addition to having complete autonomy in terms of control and independence in a safe space.