What is Best?

mickey

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An equine physiotherapist, Osteopath, Chriropractor or something else?

I use a physiotherapist (ACPAT) for my horse. Haven't used anything else other than a physio. Am interested in what the alternatives do and whether you have had success with them??
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I think 'chiropractor' is the vaguest of the three, so either of the other two would be my first choice.
Having seen the possible damage caused & heard the utter nonsense spouted by some 'chiropractors', I would probably have a tendency to avoid them like the plague actually!
'Osteopath' or 'physiotherapist' would be a far safer bet, I feel!
 
Osteopaths & chiropractors deal more with joints etc., physiotherapists work more with muscles & tissue I think!

Osteopaths generally talk sense, many chiropractors however, describe the misalignment of vertebrae etc. in such a way that, were it true, the animal or person would be likely to be:
a) dead
b) completely immobile

I went to an osteopath for my back many years ago - mainly it involved being horribly tortured, so that the eventual escape from the clinic gave an impression of instant relief! lol
(Or maybe he just didn't like me!)
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I use a physio. She told me that basically they all do a similar thing but in different ways. She recons physio is a gentler treatment and I've been able to ride again straight away whereas when I've had a chiropractor I've had to give my horse a couple of days off afterwards.
 
I use a chiro- she is amazing and is also an expericanced horsewoman who is quailfied on humans horses and dogs.

She uses manipulation and also "paddles" and laser to free up the muscles.

I think you have to do your homework as many people claim to be a physio etc of some sort but have little of no qualifications ( some i which i dread to think come from ).

This is my horses chiros website. It tells you about her and her experince inc what she does and why and most importantly she is reccommended by my vet and also my farrier.

I love Gill Maybury she has changed my horse big time

http://www.gillmaybury.co.uk
 
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i am very impressed by bowen - it is deep muscle treatment

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me too - I've had Bowen on my horses and on myself and I have to say it's very good. Oesteopaths and Chiropractors are both ok as well though. I think it depends on the horse and also on the practitioner. Different things work for different 'people'.....

I use a McTimoney practitioner/equine sports massage therapist for my horse and she is amazing. She has such a depth of knowledge and always backs up her treatment with exercises I can do with my horse to improve him.
 
I've had a few experiences with 'back men' and such, the only advice I would give you is to make sure who you use are reputable and qualified. There is no point spending money for somebody to do the same thing you can do yourself!
 
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