Animal Osteopathy: What is it and how does it help the animal?

Osteopathy is a holistic form of manual therapy that aims to restore balance in the body by adjusting and strengthening the musculoskeletal system. This therapy is drug-free and non-invasive, involving manual diagnosis and treatment to support the body's natural ability to heal and maintain health.

An osteopath focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of pain and dysfunction rather than just treating the symptoms, considering the body as a whole - including the musculoskeletal, craniosacral, circulatory/respiratory, and visceral systems. The goal of an osteopath is to restore mobility and function in all of these bodily systems through manual therapy of the joints, muscles, and fascia. This approach positively impacts the nervous, circulatory, visceral, and lymphatic systems, ultimately promoting optimal health, enhancing performance, and improving the overall well-being of the animal. As osteopathy gained recognition as an effective healing approach in human medicine, it became evident that the successful treatment methods used for humans could also be applied to animals. By utilizing specific techniques derived from human osteopathy, osteopathic treatment caters to the structural and physical requirements of animals.

Animal osteopathy is commonly utilized as a complementary treatment alongside traditional veterinary medicine. It is particularly beneficial when conventional therapies have proven ineffective or have had undesirable side effects. This approach focuses on the individual needs and objectives of the animal, and through personalized treatment plans, animal osteopaths can effectively ease pain, minimize stress, and enhance the overall health and wellness of the animal.

How does an osteopath work on your animal?

Physical assessment

Prior to commencing any treatments, the first step involves documenting a comprehensive history. Since animals cannot communicate their pain like humans, osteopathic practitioners relies heavily on thorough observation and physical evaluation to identify any tension or restrictions in the musculoskeletal system. By utilizing specialized diagnostic methods, osteopaths carefully examine the joints, muscles, and spine to pinpoint the origins of pain or limited mobility. After this assessment, an animal osteopath develops a treatment plan.

Treatment

An osteopath will carefully manipulate the joints and muscles to enhance circulation and control nerve function, readjusting the body’s alignment and reinstating proper operation. The aim of osteopathic therapy is to enhance mobility, flexibility, and the essential quality of movement for the animal.

In certain instances, an animal osteopath may not be able to fully address the issue. In such scenarios, it is important for them to inform the owner and refer them to the suitable expert for assistance, such as a veterinarian, farrier, dentist, etc.

Prevention and maintenance

Regular osteopathic therapy has been shown to be successful in injury prevention and aiding in the recovery of various conditions. Osteopathic manual therapy offers benefits such as improved blood and lymphatic flow, enhanced visceral function, reduced pain, increased joint mobility and overall biomechanics, stress reduction, better well-being, and longevity.

When should you consider booking your animal in with an osteopath?

• Stiffness and reduced mobility

• Gait problems

• Behavioral problems or changed behavior

• Aiding rehabilitation after injury

• Aiding rehabilitation in conditions such as arthritis

• After a mare has had a foal

• Sport or physically active animals in preparation for competition

• General health check on the animal