MANUAL THERAPY

Manual therapies are applied by hand and include massage, myofascial release, trigger point, stretching, soft tissue mobilisation and limb and joint range of motion.

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Massage techniques are applied to your animal to reduce high muscle tone, and improve circulation.  They also reduce muscle spasm and are proven to speed up recovery following surgery or injury. Massage realigns tissue fibres allowing fresh collagen and blood to pump to the muscle - blood carries oxygen and nutrients which in turn will promote healthy muscle. Massage also relaxes muscles, which promotes healing and breaks down scar tissue by removing waste products from the damaged area through the lymphatic system, thus helping the healing process.

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Myofascial release relieves the connective tissue in and around muscle. The connective tissues can become restricted following, injury, tension, uneven weight loading, postural changes, reduced blood flow, pain and discomfort. This technique is applied to relieve muscle tension, break down scar tissue and restore balance and function.

Trigger point therapy aims to reduce spasm and toxin build up in knots found in muscle. Trigger points can occur due to chronic muscle overload, disease, injury or trauma.  Toxin build up in the muscle can cause inflammation, pain and discomfort.

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Stretching encourages the lengthening of muscle and their associated tendons. This encourages normal muscle length and tension. Stretching will help to improve range of motion from the joints, reduce scar adhesions, improve elasticity, and improve tight and stiff muscles. Stretching also realigns tissue fibres, allowing fresh collagen and blood to flow through muscle.

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Range of motion therapies aim to improve the general mobility in joints. This can be done manually through flexing, extending and stretching the limbs and joints. This will improve joint ROM, reduce stiffness, reduce inflammation, decrease pain and increase function.

 ELECTRICAL PHYSICAL AGENTS - EPA'S