Osteopathy is a holistic approach of the horse that attempts to discover the cause of the problem. There is a significant difference with a physiotherapeutic approach. Osteopathy is not a replacing therapy but a parallel one that adds valuable aspects to conventional medicine. An osteopath is well skilled in anatomy and syndromes and is quite able to recognize diseases that he or she cannot treat so that a patient can be referred to a conventional vet. And some vets refer their patients to an osteopath.
Osteopathy takes the position that the body has a self-regulating mechanism that is trying to find the correct balance continuously. An optimal blood circulation and innervation are very important so that all tissue and structures can perform optimally.
Osteopathy is based on some major principles:
- the body is considered as a whole;
- structure and function liaise;
- the body has a self-regulating mechanism.
Before starting the treatment some preliminary questions concerning performance, eating habits, complaints and injuries are to be answered Then the osteopath examines the horse. Tension, resistance, warmth, etc. of the horse’s body are examined by means of palpation. After that the agility is tested paying attention to the vertebral column. The horse then receives treatment by means of manipulative techniques. The aim of this treatment is to stimulate the self-regulating mechanism and to remedy agility, comfort and flexibility in this way.Osteopathy deals with three major systems: the structural system, the visceral system and the cranio-sacral system. If some problem occurs in one of these systems it will also have an impact on the other systems.
The following problems can be treated and/or avoided by osteopathy:
- Behavioural problems: difficulties with saddling up, girth pressure, shaking of the head, etc.
- Performance problems: decreased concentration, refusing to jump or gallop, slow warm up, troubles with transitions, running away before or after jumping, refusing the bit, leaning problems, difficulties with collected trot and/or stretching out, etc.
- Physical problems: difficulties with bending inward, a crooked tail, moving the head better to one side than to the other, persistent stiffness, etc.
- Various problems: difficulties with being in heat, skin disorders, recovery after an operation or an injury, problems with the bronchial tubes, coat changes, etc.
Which problems that occur with dogs can be treated osteopathically?
- Physical problems: limping, arthrosis, hernia, dysplasia of hip and elbow, being out of form, back problems, ataxia, OCD, etc.
- Other problems:
- Digestion: diarrhoea, difficult bowels, bad digestion
- Urination: bladder and kidney difficulties
- Gynaecological: phantom pregnancy, breeding problems
- Respiration: chronic bronchitis, allergies, phlegm, etc.
- Skin problems
