What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic manual therapy directed at improving the biomechanics and ultimately health and performance of an animal. 

Unlike many other manual therapies, osteopathy takes into consideration how structure and function are intertwined and consider the movement of the body as the whole, not just the area of pain and dysfunction. 

Osteopaths view the body as one interconnected whole, whereby specific muscular tension or joint restriction will have a global affect. 

Thus, when an osteopath assesses the body, they will observe how gait abnormalities, postural imbalances and external factors play a role upon the whole body before carefully examining how the individual joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons are placed under strain. 

Osteopathy uses a wide variety of techniques from joint articulation, mobilisation, muscular release and gentle fascial unwinding to improve flexibility, blood, nerve and lymph supply. 

Osteopathic treatment is a powerful yet non invasive manual therapy, and due to an osteopaths exceedingly developed sense of touch, treatment is therapeutic and does not need to cause pain or discomfort. 

Osteopathic treatment is effective in the relief from pain and stiffness (such as arthritis), injury management and prevention and supporting balance of movement and correct muscular development. 

 It is also seen to have positive effects on all areas of the body including circulation, digestion, behaviour as well as improving overall performance and well-being. 

Common problems addressed in horses and dogs: 

- Lameness 

- Performance issues such as difficulty flexing, bending, straightness, transitions, engagement and self carriage. 

- Behavioural problems as a result of discomfort such as bucking, rearing, difficulty being tacked up. 

- Head- shaking

- Stiffness 

- Difficulty getting up from bed, into car or reluctance to sit.