Massage or mcTimoney?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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I've had a few recommendations to get my boy looked at as he's struggling to go into canter on one rein.
A lot of people have recommended a lady who does an all over sports massage, and others have recommended a mcTimoney person.
What's better?
 
I would use a qualified physio as first option they will find the reason if it is muscular and treat it or refer back to the vet if it seems to be something that needs further investigation. Mc Timoney would be second choice if they are someone recommended and used by vets in the area, sports massage will just make the horse feel better for a while but will not address any underlying issues so long term it can be more expensive for you and not really do any good.

My physio can usually get real improvement in one visit the second is just a few tweaks unless there is an underlying problem. If your horse is struggling to canter on one rein there could be an issue that needs professional treatment.
 
It depends, if it's a bone that's just been knocked "out" then an osteo or chiro should be able to shift things back into place and all be fine. What I want to know is what causes it, so if it's because of tight muscles and they aren't treated then the problem will keep coming back. And sports massage isn't really anything special, it's the most basic massage and only addresses the immediate issue, doesn't treat any underlying causes. I'd go for physio or an advanced massage therapist, or EMRT, or craniosacral..
 
I question the ability of a person to manipulate the bone structure of a half ton plus animal by chiropractic treatment. They may be able to do it to another human however to do it to a horse without the use of heavy machinery I find difficult to believe.

That aside I do believe in physiotherapy & I believe that you need to use a suitable trained person as there are many bogus massagers out there. They come along with a bottle of baby oil & a milk crate to stand on. They slop some oil on, massage the horse for 20-30 minutes Take £30-40 off you & leave. They achieve nothing.

If you check the ACPAT site you will find a suitably trained physio therapist in your area:
http://www.acpat.org/

I have used one of their people for years, she works in conjunction with the local vets & the results have been very good. She charges for what she does, not a standard fee so sometimes the bill is less than the previous one. My showjumpers are seen twice a year by her & occasionally sooner if I think there is a problem. My vets are happy for her to come to us at any time & don't need us to notify them as they know her work.
 
My answer is both. You need the equine physio/massage to ease out any musculature issues before you have mctimmony. McTimmony alone would be unwise since it might move bone alignment into a spasming/uncomfortable muscle doing even more harm.
My McTimmony lady works behind massage when there is an issue. i.e. I have the physio come first and if it doesn't explain an issue i then get mctimmony out after.

Mr Darcy 'wasn't right' many years ago and i had vet out, who helpfully said, "oh yes, he's not right is he', then dentist who had no issues, then saddler who said there was a saddle issue but there was something else in him physically.
Massage came and said there were one or two little niggles but nothing to account for him being 'off' as much as he was. So it was our wonderful McTimmony lady who came and put springs back in his feet :)
 
For me, McTimoney all the way, of all the various treatments I have tried over the years, its the one that has shown the most impact on my horses.

That said, it doesnt cure everything, and it was a good old phisio (one of a long line) that found and sorted out the place in my back that was spasming, 7years after the accident that caused it. Mind that treatment HURT, week after week after week, but wouldnt change it, it hurt less than the spasms when they went!!!
 
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