Physio vs chiro?

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Jericho

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Following my horses annual MOT I asked my vet to check my horses back and after some prodding and poking he thought other than a bit of soreness behind saddle he was fine no major issues but if I wanted to get the physio out he would sign it off.

Had the physio out twice to my horse now and she says he is in pretty good shape, no problems really except he is sore on RH side behind saddle. She thinks the saddle is tipping backwards cuasing pressure and also because of the soreness he was started dipping his back and sticking out his belly (rather like a pregnant lady arches her back) to compensate and thus causing a vicious circle. Saddle was duly refitted.

She thought on the second visit 3 weeks later that he has improved a lot since working him in a Pessoa and doing stretching exercises etc to make him lift his belly and strenghten the back muscles. He works nicely if not quite stiff on right rein, soft in neck, no bucking or silliness, coldbackedness or refusing jumps - he just has this soreness behind saddle and a bit of girthiness and just a bit tickilsih generally (he hates having those dried up areas of sweat brushed or tussled out!).

I initially thought he could have kissing spine (danger of reading too much on this forum) and hence asking the vet to check but both vet and physio said very unlikely - my question is .. how much can a physio or indeed a vet really tell what is going on from just a 'hands on' feel? Should I really be asking for a chiro?? I was quite surprised that the physio wasnt telling me his hips were out of line, that he had major issues through hocks, stifles, you name it.... Am I getting confused between what a physio could see and what a chiro can see? Should I just stop worrying and trying to spend more money than I have?
 
Physio for me works on strengthening and stabilising muscles but it does not actually fix anything. Its great if coming back from injury.

Chiro is about manipulating muscles and the skeleton. It can fix some problems but often its other issues that cause the muscle issues so if it cannot be fixed after 2/3 sessions get a vet.

I always go chiro if there is a problem with muscles.
 
I would stop worrying and continue with the physio. Strapping should elp build the muscle and work any knots out of the area relieving pain. Alternatively get an electronic muscle pulser which passively contracts muscles and should build strength and improve this pain.
I cant say ive much faith in chiropractors, most of the ones Ive met, here and abroad are bullshitters and talk a load of codswallop. Often, their knowledge of the anatomy of th horse is partial at best. If you ever here your chiropractor saying your horse has a slipped disc - you know you've been had. If you do think its necessary to go down this route, then at the very least get a recommendation from a reliable source ie. not from a hobby horse owner - a professional (be it a racehorse trainer or eventer etc) will only continue to use these treatments if they are really making a difference, a hobby owner may keep up treatments for many reasons - they often arent sure there's any real effect but will go ahead with it anyway.

If you are really concerned that there's something more can be done, maybe try an acupuncturist - only a good qualified one though. Saw a guy at work yesterday and he methodically and effectively sfound the source of the horse's pain, placed a few needles - in the nasal planum and tip ofthe tail and the pain ceased - no joke! The effectiveness of these needles i think showed that it was purely a muscular problem.However he did say the effect will only last 6hrs. Therefore, with the vet, he worked out a physio schedule for the horse involving strapping twice daily and various other movements. Worth a shot if you arent sure you are getting anywhere.
 
Chiropractors, Physios, sports massage or Osteopaths all have to have veterinary consent either directly or via the horse owner to work on a horse in the first place.

Chiropractors & Osteopaths primarily work on skeletal issues which involve manipulation of the bones, joints and more superficially the ligaments (connect bone to bone).

Sports massage & physios work primarily on soft tissue (ie muscles) with a range of movements designed to stretch, contract and relax or tone muscles, which impact on the nerve endings & blood supply in any given muscle.

If it is found that there is muscle or skeletal assymetry, then one group of muscles will be shortened and less elastic & the corresponding muscles will be weakened or overstretched.

Different modalities deal with different body issues, just as with people, but a yearly check alone will do no good as should anything need assistance the habit of moving or posture caused by or because of skeletal or muscle issues nedds addressing with a number of treatments with a specific training schedule.
 
equetouch yearly check doesnt mean there shouldnt be a number of treatments with a specifit training schedule if anything needed doing.

If it does just involve just one short visit dont be using them again!!
 
To answer your question about hands on feel, they should all be able to locate soreness just by touch, although it's possible none of them could actually diagnose the soreness without something like an x-ray or scans.

If the horse is showing no signs of soreness, I would say stop worrying.
 
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