What is Physiotherapy and how can it help me and my beloved animal?

Physiotherapy is a scientific and evidence-based profession that aims to address painful conditions that negatively affect function and performance by restoring health to the nervous system and balance to the soft tissues (including muscles/ligaments/tendons/ and joints). 

Why ACPAT? 

It is essential that you are confident about the credentials of the professional you are entrusting with the care of your pet. Choosing an ACPAT registered member, you can be reassured that it indicates the level of training it takes to become proficient in being able to treat animals with an elevated understanding of biopsychosocial aspects of the rehabilitative process from initially undertaking an undergraduate degree in human physiotherapy. One qualified, it is compulsory to complete at least two years as a rotational junior physiotherapist within the NHS, experiencing distinct aspects of human rehabilitation in neurology, orthopaedics, respiratory and musculoskeletal. This means that we look at you and your pet from all aspects of the biological systems when we assess and address your problems.  Animal physiotherapy is then undertaken at masters /post-graduate level for a further two years, where we bring the knowledge and experience gained from humans to our clinical reasoning with animal rehabilitation.  ACPAT physiotherapist’s qualification is developed from within the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists therefore, maintaining a strong collaboration between professional associations and regulatory bodies.

Why choose Physiotherapy? 

Unlike us, our beloved animals cannot directly tell us when they are uncomfortable, or in pain, so they must communicate via body language and behavioural changes.  These changes may be subtle and gradual over a period, such as slowing down on walks, or becoming reluctant to move forward, or becoming less sociable or interactive, all common with pain related to progressive or ageing diseases such as osteoarthritis. Or they may be dramatic sudden changes, such as suddenly becoming aggressive or spooky, or reluctant to perform certain moves, perhaps indicating a more acute pathology.  

Either way, Physiotherapy assessment entails an in-depth history taking of the primary concern, as well as gathering information relating to normal routine, environmental or physical factors that may have contributed/ or could be contributing to issues of reduced mobility or behavioural changes due to pain/discomfort.  Then a thorough physical examination entails observation of movement patterns and palpating the joints and muscles to be able to reason the most appropriate modalities for treatment (NB: not all animals/or people tolerate a hands-on approach, which I fully respect, and treatment does not have to involve passive or hands-on interventions to be of benefit, many still benefit from a completely practical and hands-off approach).