Physiotherapie
“Physical therapy or physiotherapy is the health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention therapy using mechanical force and movement). It is carried out by physical therapists. In addition to clinical practice, other activities encompassed in the physical therapy profession include research, education, consultation, and administration. In many settings, physical therapy services may be provided alongside, or in conjunction with, other medical or rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy. (Source: Wikipedia)
“Physiotherapy is a clinical health science and profession that aims to rehabilitate and improve a person’s ability to move and function.
Physiotherapists utilise their expertise in anatomy and physiology to assess and treat people with a variety of health conditions. They use objective assessments to develop an evidence based treatment programme tailored to individual clients.” (Source: http://www.rch.org.au)
Animal Physiotherapy
“Animal / veterinary physiotherapy (physical therapy) is a complementary therapy which is carried out under veterinary referral,” when curative, without referral when preventive.“ The most common areas of treatment are:
Performance enhancement and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in the ridden horse and working or competition dog.
Post-operative rehabilitation for animals with orthopaedic or neurological conditions.
Enhancement of quality of life in patients with degenerative conditions such as arthritis - slowing degeneration and treating compensatory muscle spasm.
In optimum conditions nature will heal an injury in a particular time span. However, for many reasons, these conditions are not always readily available. In these circumstances the injury will take longer to heal than nature intended or at worst may not heal at all. The aim of the physiotherapist is to optimise these conditions so that the body can heal the injury in its natural time span.
Physiotherapy is applied by: Physiotherapeutic equipment, Manual techniquesand Rehabilitation” (Source: College of Animal Physiotherapy)
In The Netherlands animal physiotherapy has been an officially recognized and has been a protected profession since 1992. Only certified physiotherapists and vets are admitted in the 2 year long animal physiotherapy education at PTC+ in Barneveld. After successfully passing the final exams one is allowed to call oneself animal physiotherapist.
The NVFD is the official professional association for animal physiotherapists. The A-members are obliged to follow yearly refresher courses / extra trainings.
The equine physiotherapeutic examination starts with the anamnesis (interview) with the owner / trainer or rider. When referred by a vet, the information will be added to this interview. Then the horse will be observed while standing, followed by a superficial palpation. Then the horse will be observed while moving, preferably in all strides, on different surfaces and, when possible also in daily function. After this the horse will be palpated again, followed by functional testing of the mobility, first per region and later segmentally, thereafter followed by a deep palpation. All the findings will be evaluated and in most cases the first treatment can take place.
Sometimes one treatment is sufficient, but more often multiple treatments will be needed, depending on the needs.
During the assessment extra information about saddle, stable management, training, shoe fitting, dental care etc. etc. can be very important. Cooperation between disciplines is a key factor to successful treatment.
Videos from training sessions sent in between treatments have proven to be very informative and therefore a useful tool. The assessment of video material is part of the following treatment.