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Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre
Holistic Vet - Homeopathic Vet
- Acupuncture Vet - Herbal Vet - Natural Vet
Physiotherapy for Animals
Stubbs - Horse anatomical study
Physiotherapy has often been described under the heading of
'complementary medicine' or 'alternative medicine'. It is, in fact, neither
'alternative' nor a system of medicine but it is indeed complementary to other
therapies. It is an ancillary or supportive therapy, which can
be of excellent value in helping restoration of function, mobility and
rehabilitation, after injury, prolonged veterinary treatment etc. It can be used
alongside or after any form of medicine, whether conventional or alternative
(e.g. homeopathy,
acupuncture or herbal medicine). Broadly
speaking, it works on the soft tissues structures, such as muscles, tendons and
ligaments, restoring a normal range of movement, releasing spasm and breaking
down scarring and restrictions of movement.
In the opinion of the AVMC,
it is not advised as a 'stand-alone', first-line therapy,
especially as it
does not address skeletal alignment. The AVMC
strongly recommends specialist chiropractic manipulation to
restore normal skeletal alignment, prior to application of complementary physiotherapy
techniques. N.B.: if the skeleton is misaligned at the time of using physiotherapy,
then further pain or injury are foreseeable possible consequences.
Physiotherapy may involve use of instruments, such as
ultra-sound, LASER and
magnets. However, it is commonly a manual,
hands-on therapy, using deep massage, exercises and range of movement activity.
It may also include a programme of controlled swimming or
hydrotherapy (Canine
Hydrotherapy Association) - we can find no equine hydrotherapy association,
to date, despite the proliferation of facilities around the UK). The
AVMC does not currently recommend
hydrotherapy for CDRM, as we have found (circumstantially) that it seems to
exhaust the nerves involved, leading to further degeneration..
If calling in someone to perform physiotherapy on your horse,
dog or other animal, it is imperative to check qualifications. The Association
of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy is the organisation which
oversees practitioners.
N.B. If using the services of a physiotherapist who is not
a fully-qualified vet, ensure that the
practitioner observes the provisions of the Veterinary
Surgeons Act 1966 and use a properly-qualified animal
physiotherapist. That Act requires physiotherapists to work at the
specific request of and under the guidance or supervision of a veterinary surgeon.
Step 1 - Obtain a
proper veterinary assessment and diagnosis. If this includes a full
holistic assessment, so much the better.
Step 2 - Your vet
is supposed to discuss the full range of treatment options with you. This
may include Alternative Therapy and may include physiotherapy. If neither is
mentioned, yet you feel that you wish to explore the options, it is
recommended that you should discuss the possibilities with your vet at the
time of the visit. No vet should obstruct a referral of this nature.
N.B. You will find that your
veterinary insurance may be
invalidated if you use an unqualified practitioner or one who operates
outside the Veterinary Surgeons Act
1966. That Act provides that it is only manipulative therapies that may be
performed on your animal by a non-vet. Even then, they must be applied on
the specific recommendation of a vet and under his or her supervision.
Physiotherapists are not permitted to prescribe and supply medicines (e.g.
homeopathic) for an animal. Physiotherapists who might see your animal
without having personally been recommended by your vet and without
having received a direct and explicit referral and who function without
veterinary supervision are operating outside the law.
It should be noted that animal therapists
(chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists), who are properly trained
and qualified, are likely to be members of their respective professional bodies and
should be covered by indemnity insurance, as are vets. This protects
you, should anything go amiss. However, this is also likely to be negated if
the therapist operates outside the terms of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
(above).
Christopher Day as
a holistic vet generally supports the use of these therapies and refers
appropriate cases for Physiotherapy. He is unable, however, to act as a convenience 'cover' for
those who do not observe the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
Similar conditions apply for: Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Bowen Therapy, Tellington Touch (TTouch),
Massage, Cranial Osteopathy, Craniosacral Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage.
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Holistic, Alternative,
Natural or Complementary?
www.holistic-vet.co.uk/therapies.html
www.holisticvetmed.co.uk/therapieshvm.htm
Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre
Holistic Vet - Homeopathic Vet
- Acupuncture Vet - Herbal Vet - Natural Vet
Copyright © AVMC -
February 2007
N.B.: Spelling is 'complementary', not
'complimentary'
Associated
websites:
www.veterinary-homeopathy.co.uk/user/htdocs (new blog) -
chris-day.live-blog.net/ -
www.acupuncture-animals.co.uk
- www.holistic-vet.co.uk -
www.homeopathic-vet.com -
www.veterinary-acupuncture.co.uk -
www.veterinary-homeopathy.co.uk
- www.veterinary-herbal.co.uk
-
www.veterinary-holistic.co.uk
-
www.alternativeveterinarymedicine.co.uk -
www.alternativeveterinarymedicinecentre.co.uk -
www.avmc.co.uk -
www.naturalfeeding.co.uk -
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~avmc
- www.chinhampublications.co.uk
- www.equineacupuncturevet.co.uk -
www.christopherday.co.uk
-
www.holisticvetmed.co.uk.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
https://plus.google.com/107621290717284228783/about?gl=GB&hl=en-GB
Page refers to: physiotherapy horses - equine physiotherapy -
physiotherapy dogs - complementary - complimentary, canine physiotherapy - horse physiotherapy - dog
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- cats - horse - horses - pony - ponies -
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homeopathic vet - herbal vet - acupuncture vet - chiropractic vet
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