ASAP Physio

Physiotherapy

As Chartered Physiotherapists with a MSc in veterinary physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College, London, we are qualified to work with you the owner and your animal. This unique combination of skills are interchangeable across the species. We have developed our approach by studying and working initially on the human of the species.

We don't stop enhancing our knowledge and undertake courses yearly to maintain our professional memberships (CSP, HCPC, ACPAT, Cat A, RAMP, Stott Pilates). We have been doing this since we qualified in 1986 and 2000. We have written and co-authored between us on a number of papers and text books. We have lectured and presented to physiotherapy forums around the world.

Many owners and professionals have gained practical experience with us and gone on to top jobs in animal physiotherapy. We have both served on the executive committee of ACPAT and have been the official team Physio for the senior and young riders eventing teams treating horses and riders up to and including Olympic level.

We have attended and have provided Physio for many veterinary practices including, Anderson and Moores, Liphook Equine Hospital, Stable Close equine and small animal, Ian Macqueen. Currently Amanda has a weekly clinic at Seadown vet practice in Hythe, Southampton. She also holds regular Sports injuries clinics with Jane Oatley MRCVS for dogs where they provide a unique orthopaedic and physiotherapy approach.

Rehabilitation

After a detailed discussion with you about your concerns and observations we then will discuss your veterinary surgeons diagnosis and plans. Our evaluation consists of a movement exam and then palpation plus joint motion testing. We discuss our findings and then implementation of an appropriate rehabilitation plan. We are able to provide telephone and Skype updates and reviews via a conversation, video or return visits. We can visit you at home, with your trainer and/or vet. We also have the availability of clinics at Winchester Riding Stables and Dean Stables, Winchester. We can advise you on the purchase of appropriate equipment, and hire some items to you.

Fitness

We can help you devise a programme from box rest through to full competition fitness. We can also advise on and be available for preparation and recovery at competition. We currently provide assistance at the Badminton Horse Trials, Team Selection events and agility competitions. To be able to become and remain fully fit it is important to pre screen for potential issues. Some of our clients therefore take up the offer to be evaluated on a regular basis before issues arise.

The session typically includes analysis of performance, for example over a fence, turning and jumping or changing speed. Then palpation, individual and combined joint assessment followed by any therapy and home exercises to maintain improvements. Some of our older clients benefit from this approach but obviously more tailored to them. Keeping pain free and strong will help with protecting vulnerable limbs and the spine. Some of our clients are very senior citizens but enjoy a good quality of life by being able to maintain a degree of fitness.

Pain Management

Physiotherapy approaches can be solely utilised to deliver pain relief as an adjunct to veterinary pain relief and sometimes as an alternative where medication produces a negative effect on your animal. Animals are very receptive to the many soft tissue techniques which can relax and induce natural pain relief. We have a range of equipment that can be used to deliver pain relief and can hire to you TENS and NMES machines for daily use. We provide Photomodulation therapy (previously known as LASER) for pain relief and HWave. We also work with and alongside veterinary acupuncturists . The combined effect can be very helpful for identification of other areas causing a problem and also if your animal doesn't respond to needles,  Photomodulation can be used instead.

Spinal

We have a range of approaches to the treatment and maintenance of the healthy spine. This is important for your pet or competition animal, because not all techniques are suitable. This may be because you are competing the next day or due to the acute versus chronic presentation. We provide at least 5 different techniques which are called manual therapy and range from joint mobilisation to joint manipulation. When treating the spine we also address any muscle imbalances, tendon and ligament, connective tissue and nerve disorders. We feel that identifying the tissues responsible and also damaged by the dysfunction are vital to a healthy and permanent resolution.

Performance

We have many years of experience in attending events as part of the multidisciplinary support team and will work with the team to ensure an integrated approach. We are able to offer specific treatments both pre and during events to make sure the horse / dog is in the best possible musculoskeletal shape to maximise your performance. We can offer a wide range of treatments including manual therapy and electrotherapy which are individually tailored to suit each animals requirements.

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