Involves looking at your animals posture, limb alignment, weight distribution, demeanour muscle symmetry, and general body condition.

During the palpation assessment, the tone, texture, and consistency of the muscles is assessed to identify areas of weakness, tightness or spasm. Areas of increased sensitivity within the muscles are identified, known as trigger points, which can cause discomfort. Other soft tissue abnormalities are assessed such as tenderness, heat or swelling, which can give information relating to underlying pathology, inflammation or previous injury.

In this assessment, the full range of motion of your animals joints are assessed. This looks at the flexibility, stability, and potential restrictions of the joints, where this can be used to compare both sides of the body. This will give an indication of asymmetry, underlying musculoskeletal issues and compensatory mechanisms. This gives the veterinary physiotherapist a clearer picture on how your animal is moving.

This can also be used to monitor your animals progress session to session.

During the dynamic assessment the animals movement patterns are observed, assessing gait, coordination, weight bearing, performance and compensatory movements.

This gives vital information on musculoskeletal function, to help tailor the rehabilitation process.

Manual and electrotherapy's will be applied, specifically tailored to the findings of the previous assessments of your animal.

These may include:

• Massage therapy

• Joint mobilisation and stretching

• Class 3B therapeutic laser

• Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy

• Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (available soon)

• Heat/cold therapy

Remedial exercise is important to improve movement pattern, enhance strength, increase flexibility, improve proprioception and improve overall musculoskeletal functioning. This will be individual to the animal and progressive to promote rehabilitation, improve way of going, prevent further or new injuries and enhance the wellbeing of your animal.

Following the first session a take home rehabilitation plan will be sent to you specific to your animal, which will be reviewed and progressed in the follow up sessions.

Relevant veterinary communications will be sent to your vet when necessary.