Therapies available for horses and ponies
I can offer the following treatments set out below. Each session will be individual to the horse depending on condition treated , this is not limited to common ailments but can assist in horses in competition work , for routine maintenance and general wellbeing.
I am certified in the following
- Equine remedial massage EMFT CERT IAAMB
- Full Body realignment
- Soft tissue/ trigger point release
- Myofascial massage release using the facial edge tool
- Craniosacral & visceral therapy (Practitioner)
- Myofascial release therapy
- Kinesiology taping
- Reiki / Seichim natural healing, master level
A brief description of each therapy is described below and the following pages listed.
These therapies I can use as a combination in a session depending on what treatment is required. Every horse like us is individual and will respond in their own way. I am always learning more techniques and obtaining further professional education so that I can promote the well being of the horse.
Full body spinal realignment
Full body alignment works alongside Reiki. By using a high vibrational frequency stronger than Reiki energy that can be used to move bones automatically adjusting themselves with a light touch. The horses body knows precisely how to realign and I am there to help facilitate the horses own healing. By allowing the vibrational energy to transfer into the horse the soft tissue, fascia and bones naturally glide back into place. When the structure of the body is aligned fully it allows fascia, connective tissue, muscle and bones to have freedom of movement releasing discomfort, tension and tightness.
This therapy can aid in
This therapy can aid in
- TMJ / jaw problems
- Misaligned skeletal structure
- Releasing the psoas muscles for long lasting results
- Rebalancing the cranium and cervical vertebrae
- Rebalancing the thoracic vertebrae and surrounding tissue
- Rebalancing the sacral/ lumbar and pelvic region
- Unlevelness
Trigger point therapy for horses
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot associated with a tight band of skeletal muscle that is painful on compression or muscle contraction. Some of the fibres in this tight band are ‘stuck’ in contraction and therefore the overall effectiveness of that muscle is reduced. Interestingly there can also be ‘referred pain’ from a trigger point, a neurological phenomenon that can result in sciatica, chronic jaw pain, toothache and even appendicitis like pain!
Most people at some point have felt them around their shoulders or lower back. A “muscle knot” is an example of a trigger point: a small patch of muscle tissue in spasm.
When you say that you have “muscle knots,” you are talking about myofascial trigger points.
There are no actual knots involved, of course — it just feels like it. Although their true nature is uncertain, the main theory is that a trigger point (TrP) is a small patch of tightly contracted muscle, an isolated spasm affecting just a tiny patch of muscle tissue (not a whole-muscle spasm like a “charlie horse”). In theory, that small patch of muscle chokes off its own blood supply, which irritates it even more — a vicious cycle called a “metabolic crisis.” The swampy metabolic situation is why I like to think of it as sick muscle syndrome.
A few trigger points here and there is usually just an annoyance. Many bad ones is a syndrome: myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). TrPs can be vicious. They can cause far more discomfort than most people believe is possible. Its bark is much louder than its bite, but the bark can be extremely loud. It can also be a surprisingly weird bark (trigger points can generate some odd sensations).
Most people at some point have felt them around their shoulders or lower back. A “muscle knot” is an example of a trigger point: a small patch of muscle tissue in spasm.
When you say that you have “muscle knots,” you are talking about myofascial trigger points.
There are no actual knots involved, of course — it just feels like it. Although their true nature is uncertain, the main theory is that a trigger point (TrP) is a small patch of tightly contracted muscle, an isolated spasm affecting just a tiny patch of muscle tissue (not a whole-muscle spasm like a “charlie horse”). In theory, that small patch of muscle chokes off its own blood supply, which irritates it even more — a vicious cycle called a “metabolic crisis.” The swampy metabolic situation is why I like to think of it as sick muscle syndrome.
A few trigger points here and there is usually just an annoyance. Many bad ones is a syndrome: myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). TrPs can be vicious. They can cause far more discomfort than most people believe is possible. Its bark is much louder than its bite, but the bark can be extremely loud. It can also be a surprisingly weird bark (trigger points can generate some odd sensations).
Myofascial release massage
The term “myofascial release” is becoming more and more prevalent in the context of massage, posture, fitness, and overall wellness for horses. This alternative therapy works to alleviate pain, restore function, and improve overall health and well-being by addressing the fascia and muscles. These two soft tissue systems are extremely integrated, hence the term “myofascial”.
WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?
Myofascial release (MFR) has a lot in common with other massage techniques, but it has a different way of approaching a body’s individual issues. It involves a slower, gentler technique for whole body integration. Facilitating the horse and releasing restrictions in the muscles and fascia creates far-reaching physical and emotional effects, and brings one to a deeper level of consciousness.
HOW IT WORKS
In order to perform any sort of massage, we need to make contact with the skin in one way or another. Myofascial release is no different — the layer of fascia lies just below the skin, and is the easiest for a practitioner to manipulate. The shape of the fascia cannot be quickly changed, as this tissue is incredibly strong. Myofascial release can, however help to improve the health and fluid consistency of the fascia on a local and global level to improve form and function of the body. The idea is that gentle directional pressure applied to restricted fascia helps improve the glide between the fascia, starting with the superficial layers. This releases any potential adhesions and moves the fascia to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. The therapy also helps hydrate the space around the cells — fascial microtubules — which helps keep the body lubricated and
prevents mobility issues.
WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?
Myofascial release (MFR) has a lot in common with other massage techniques, but it has a different way of approaching a body’s individual issues. It involves a slower, gentler technique for whole body integration. Facilitating the horse and releasing restrictions in the muscles and fascia creates far-reaching physical and emotional effects, and brings one to a deeper level of consciousness.
HOW IT WORKS
In order to perform any sort of massage, we need to make contact with the skin in one way or another. Myofascial release is no different — the layer of fascia lies just below the skin, and is the easiest for a practitioner to manipulate. The shape of the fascia cannot be quickly changed, as this tissue is incredibly strong. Myofascial release can, however help to improve the health and fluid consistency of the fascia on a local and global level to improve form and function of the body. The idea is that gentle directional pressure applied to restricted fascia helps improve the glide between the fascia, starting with the superficial layers. This releases any potential adhesions and moves the fascia to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. The therapy also helps hydrate the space around the cells — fascial microtubules — which helps keep the body lubricated and
prevents mobility issues.
Using the Fascia Edge tool for horses
Most horses enjoy a good massage but hands and fingers alone simply can`t reach down to the deeper muscles and ligaments of the horse`s back. With the Fascial edge tool it`s quick and easy to give a really effective, stimulating massage and help aid in the following.
Start with Superficial work. This is pleasant and relaxing for the horse, and results in deep reflex relaxation of intrinsic spinal muscles.
- Release fixed / blocked spinal joints prior to deeper work. Myofascial tissues are frequently facilitated as a consequence of spinal subluxation / blockage. There is little benefit in working over them until facilitated tissues are released.
- Deep Myofascial Work: work on residual deep fibrosis and adhesions. Rather like weeding a garden, you need the right tool to get deep down to the roots of the problem.
Most horses and ponies prefer this technique with positive results rather than massage as the rounded edge means more relaxation when working throughout the horses body
.
Myofascial release and fascia in horses
Fascia is connective tissue that runs throughout the horses body. It is a sheath-like webbing that keeps all the tissues and bones supported, protected and in their ideal place. Fascia needs to be flexible and elastic for horses to move their bodies properly and so their organs can function freely without being squashed. However, due to poor posture, over work, inadequate fitness, ill fitting tack etc, plus the constant pull of gravity, fascia becomes stiff and ‘stuck’, restricting movement and causing pain, fatigue, and unsoundness. Like bones, fascia bands are composed primarily of collagen which gives them a tough but pliable texture.
The fascial system maintains a balance of tension and elasticity which allows for smooth, unrestricted movement of each muscle group while holding everything in place. If the fascia is restricted then muscle contraction is restricted. Since there is one singular piece of this stretchy, mesh-like substance interweaving through muscles and organs from head to toe like shrink-wrap, distress in one area can affect movement and create symptoms elsewhere. And, like a glove, fascia has enough substance to hold shape, but not enough to support weight. This illustrates how movement and structure conditions, such as poor posture, affect fascia, causing pain and unstable movement. Myofascial lines are chains of interconnected anatomical structures that functionally direct the basic motion pattern of the musculoskeletal system.
Myofascial chains are ventral from the hyoid to the hind limb, dorsal from the eye to tail, and functional from front limb to contra hind limb, explaining compensatory patterns of pain. There are also more complicated helical connections that course around the body, crossing over at the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral junctions which are involved with axial rotation of the spine. Fascial restrictions have the capability of pulling an enormous amount of tension in one area. That is a vast amount of tension to overcome and is the cause of many problems that limit the performance of the horse, including unsoundness, proprioception problems, lack of flexibility, behavioural issues, sore muscles, back pain, and tendon and ligament injuries etc.
Myofascial Release is a comprehensive, whole body, hands-on approach that restores the necessary slack in the connective tissue web to help eliminate lameness and enhance a horse’s performance. Myofascial release uses sustained hands-on pressure into a fascial restriction for several minutes in one area. Myofascial Release treats the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms and this is what allows for the permanency of results that has been observed with Equine Myofascial Release.
What are the benefits of Myofascial Release: Reduction of inflammation Reduction of muscle and nerve pain Decreasing fascial tension Stretching and elongating tissues Increase of power, strength and endurance Increase metabolic efficiency Increase biomechanical efficiency What are the components of Myofascial Release?
Soft Tissue Mobilisation– Treats the elastic portion. Soft tissue mobilisation breaks up cross links and stretches the tissue from A to B.
Cross Hands– In cross hands the therapist crosses their hands and skinks into the tissue. They take out the slack by moving their hands away from each other and then hold. The hands then move the tissue from point A to wherever the body wants to go.
Compression– In compression the therapist sinks into the tissue, pushes their hands towards each other and holds. Then they move with the tissues from point A to wherever.
Direct Pressure– In direct pressure the therapist just sinks into the tissue for 90-120 seconds and holds.
Facilitation of Energy– With facilitation of energy the therapist holds their hands on either side of a part of the horse.
Traction/Distraction– The therapist takes a part of the horse away from them, holds and then slowly releases back to the body eg Tail pull,
Scar Release– The therapist goes into the area, moves the fibre clockwise, and holds.
Rebounding– The therapist uses a rocking motion to enhance fluid flow.
Unwinding– The release of a restricted area.
Fascia is connective tissue that runs throughout the horses body. It is a sheath-like webbing that keeps all the tissues and bones supported, protected and in their ideal place. Fascia needs to be flexible and elastic for horses to move their bodies properly and so their organs can function freely without being squashed. However, due to poor posture, over work, inadequate fitness, ill fitting tack etc, plus the constant pull of gravity, fascia becomes stiff and ‘stuck’, restricting movement and causing pain, fatigue, and unsoundness. Like bones, fascia bands are composed primarily of collagen which gives them a tough but pliable texture.
The fascial system maintains a balance of tension and elasticity which allows for smooth, unrestricted movement of each muscle group while holding everything in place. If the fascia is restricted then muscle contraction is restricted. Since there is one singular piece of this stretchy, mesh-like substance interweaving through muscles and organs from head to toe like shrink-wrap, distress in one area can affect movement and create symptoms elsewhere. And, like a glove, fascia has enough substance to hold shape, but not enough to support weight. This illustrates how movement and structure conditions, such as poor posture, affect fascia, causing pain and unstable movement. Myofascial lines are chains of interconnected anatomical structures that functionally direct the basic motion pattern of the musculoskeletal system.
Myofascial chains are ventral from the hyoid to the hind limb, dorsal from the eye to tail, and functional from front limb to contra hind limb, explaining compensatory patterns of pain. There are also more complicated helical connections that course around the body, crossing over at the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral junctions which are involved with axial rotation of the spine. Fascial restrictions have the capability of pulling an enormous amount of tension in one area. That is a vast amount of tension to overcome and is the cause of many problems that limit the performance of the horse, including unsoundness, proprioception problems, lack of flexibility, behavioural issues, sore muscles, back pain, and tendon and ligament injuries etc.
Myofascial Release is a comprehensive, whole body, hands-on approach that restores the necessary slack in the connective tissue web to help eliminate lameness and enhance a horse’s performance. Myofascial release uses sustained hands-on pressure into a fascial restriction for several minutes in one area. Myofascial Release treats the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms and this is what allows for the permanency of results that has been observed with Equine Myofascial Release.
What are the benefits of Myofascial Release: Reduction of inflammation Reduction of muscle and nerve pain Decreasing fascial tension Stretching and elongating tissues Increase of power, strength and endurance Increase metabolic efficiency Increase biomechanical efficiency What are the components of Myofascial Release?
Soft Tissue Mobilisation– Treats the elastic portion. Soft tissue mobilisation breaks up cross links and stretches the tissue from A to B.
Cross Hands– In cross hands the therapist crosses their hands and skinks into the tissue. They take out the slack by moving their hands away from each other and then hold. The hands then move the tissue from point A to wherever the body wants to go.
Compression– In compression the therapist sinks into the tissue, pushes their hands towards each other and holds. Then they move with the tissues from point A to wherever.
Direct Pressure– In direct pressure the therapist just sinks into the tissue for 90-120 seconds and holds.
Facilitation of Energy– With facilitation of energy the therapist holds their hands on either side of a part of the horse.
Traction/Distraction– The therapist takes a part of the horse away from them, holds and then slowly releases back to the body eg Tail pull,
Scar Release– The therapist goes into the area, moves the fibre clockwise, and holds.
Rebounding– The therapist uses a rocking motion to enhance fluid flow.
Unwinding– The release of a restricted area.