What Is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Veterinary Physiotherapy is the practice of a range of assessment and therapeutic techniques to rehabilitate an animal after injury, reduce pain, improve performance, and maintain condition and wellbeing. Veterinary Physiotherapy combines a holistic yet science-based approach to the treatment of animals, through hands-on techniques such as massage or electrotherapies. Veterinary Physiotherapists also always work closely and alongside your vet to send regular updates and ensure your animal receives the best possible care under veterinary instruction.

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What can a Veterinary Physiotherapist help with?

Veterinary Physiotherapists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions and situations. Common circumstances can include:

- General performance maintenance

- Geriatric animals

- Rehabilitation following surgery

- Musculoskeletal disease or injury

- Neurological conditions

- Osteoarthritis

- Reduction of pain

What qualifications do Veterinary Physiotherapists have?

Choosing the correct person for the job is essential to provide the best outcome for your animal. It is possible to undergo a weeks long massage course and call yourself a massage therapist. Whereas Veterinary physiotherapists have years of training to be qualified (Bsc, MSc, PgDip) in treatments, anatomy, post-op care, and rehabilitation.

However, massage and sports therapists can still be beneficial in complementing performance and maintenance of wellbeing. But it is important to do research prior to treatment to make sure that they possess the correct qualifications and are registered with a governing bodies such as RAMP, NAVP, and AHPR.

Understanding the different types of therapists in the industry

Physiotherapy: Veterinary Physiotherapists undergo extensive years of training at degree level or above. This allows them to use soft tissue therapies, electrotherapies, and the prescription of remedial rehabilitation plans. Veterinary physiotherapy can be used for maintenance, performance, or rehabilitation. However, we cannot perform skeletal manipulations. Unfortunately the term "Veterinary Physiotherapist" isn't protected and anyone can call themselves as such, so always check the persons qualifications to make sure they are who they say they are.

Chiropractic: This is not a protected term but some highly regarded courses such as McTimoney which set a high standard. This also focuses on spinal and soft tissue mobilisations, they are generally not trained to provide specific rehabilitation plans but they can suggest exercises to help.

Massage Therapist: Massage courses can vary significantly in length, it is a good therapy to provide general maintenance and improve musculoskeletal health. Additionally, many massage therapists can gain additional qualifications on top of this that may enable them to utilise electrotherapies. Massage therapists can suggest exercises for maintenance but they cannot provide remedial exercises for specific conditions due to a lack of teaching and assessment in this area.

Osteopathy: This requires a large amount of training at degree level or above. This therapy involves mobilisation of the soft tissues and joints and can be beneficial to animals and humans alike. This is also a protected term so they require specific qualifications to call themselves an osteopath.

Deciding on a therapist is completely down to personal preference of both owner and horse/dog. It's important to consider what you want from your therapist, what their level of training is, you reason for booking one out, and can they explain what they're doing and why? Many good therapists are also always happy to work alongside each other when necessary.