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VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY
SERVICES COMING SOON...
As I am in the last few months of my studies to becoming a fully qualified masters level veterinary physiotherapist, I would like to provide you with an insight into the services that will be offered as of approximatley June 2026 (not currently offered).
- Tailored remedial exercise/rehabilitation plans
-Laser therapy
- Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMF)
- Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS)
-Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
- Thermotherapy (hot & cold therapy)
What do we do differently and have to offer compared to chiropractors, osteopaths and sports massage therapists?
WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Veterinary physiotherapy is a profession in which observational and functional assessment provides rationale for treatment including manual techniques (e.g. massage), electrotherapies (e.g. Laser) and remedial exercise (e.g. pole work). The work of a veterinary physiotherapist is supported by scientific research, thereby proving its effectiveness in recovery, preventative care, rehabilitation to ultimately improve quality of life and welfare of an animal. Practitioners work with an array of professionals including vets, dentists, farriers, saddlers, nutritionists and behaviourists to support long-term management and improvement in an animals quality of life and performance.
Aims of a veterinary physiotherapist:
Restore mobility and improve movement quality
Strengthen the animal and improve flexibility
Improve comfort and pain management
Improve functional performance
Aid in recovery after injury
Enhance overall wellbeing
WHAT IT TOOK TO BECOME A FULLY QUALIFIED VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPIST
To become a fully qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist with a recognisable qualification, it takes an extensive amount of training which is usually completed over a few years, as with GEX Veterinary physiotherapy completing a four year Integrated Masters degree. Modules included rehabilitation protocols, physiotherapeutic techniques, electrotherapies, dissections of musculoskeletal structures, massage techniques, nutrition, clinical rotations and saddle fit and farriery. Assessment was completed via numerous assignments and practical exams over the four years.
REGISTERED VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Veterinary Physiotherapy is currently an unprotected title, meaning anyone can use this title following an insufficient qualification. It is therefore important to source a practitioner from a voluntary register, designed to help owners and vets choose a competent practitioner. GEX Veterinary Physiotherapy is a member of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP). For register entry I was required to have completed 3600 hours of study and 1000 hours of practical hands-on experience. As a now registered member of RAMP, I am required to follow codes of practice including providing gold standard care to patients, upholding a recognised/respected degree and provide evidence of continued professional development (CPD) annually.
WHAT DOES A VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPIST DO DIFFERENTLY TO A CHIROPRACTOR, OSTEOPATH OR SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPIST
A Veterinary Physiotherapist combines an array of manual techniques, electrotherapies and remedial exercise to support the musculoskeletal system either in the recovery or prevention of injury. We primarily work with soft tissue such as muscles, tendons and ligaments, however, can provide support for bone particularly when healing.
Meanwhile, a chiropractor works to correct spinal alignment and joint mobility through low force adjustments which also impacts the nervous system. Osteopaths work similarly to a physiotherapist, however, instead of working through specific areas with treatment they primarily work on the body as a whole. Finally, a sports massage therapist uses only massage and stretching as part of their treatment where physiotherapists integrate this with electrotherapies and remedial exercise.
If you are unsure of the type of practitioner your animal may need, please do get in contact to discuss your animals needs further and I can also provide recommendations for alternative practitioners.
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