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Your Dog's Treatment Journey

Your Dog’s First Appointment

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At East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehabilitation Therapies, your dog’s first appointment is a thorough and personalised experience.  The initial assessment typically takes around ninety minutes and is a vital part of the process, as it enables me to develop a tailored treatment and management plan based on your dog’s individual needs.

 

Why This Assessment Matters?

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This structured approach allows me to:

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  • Identify the root cause of pain or dysfunction

  • Formulate an effective, evidence-based treatment plan

  • Support long-term management and performance

  • Assess possible musculoskeletal pain

  • Work collaboratively with your veterinary team​

Assessment

What to Expect During the Assessment

 

​A clinical assessment may include the following:

 

Palpation - Muscle Assessment

Palpation allows for detailed assessment of soft tissue health and areas of dysfunction, including:

  • Increased muscle tension and radiating myofascial pain

  • Changes in muscle tone, texture, trigger points, adhesions, and muscle strains

  • Areas of asymmetry

  • Muscle atrophy

  • Changes in coat texture or skin temperature

  • Sensitivity or anxiety when specific areas are touched, including signs consistent with allodynia or hyperalgesia

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Joint Assessment

Joint testing is performed to evaluate:

  • Range of motion

  • Comfort throughout the available range

  • Accessory joint movements

 

Neurological Evaluation

A neurological screening is carried out where appropriate, including assessment of cranial nerve function and additional gait analysis tests  if deemed necessary

 

Pain Evaluation

Pain is assessed using a combination of clinical observation and owner-completed, observation-based questionnaires, alongside recognised clinical measurement instruments (CMIs), to provide an objective overview of your dog’s comfort and pain levels.  If pain is suspected then a detailed Musculoskeletal Pain Assessment is performed â€‹â€‹

Postural & Gait Analysis

 

Postural and gait analysis is a cornerstone of effective canine rehabilitation and pain management. Subtle changes in the way a dog stands or moves can indicate underlying discomfort, weakness, compensatory strategies, or early musculoskeletal dysfunction—often long before overt lameness is visible.

 

Why Postural & Gait Analysis Matters:

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  • Identifies problems early, often before lameness is obvious

  • Helps explain why pain or dysfunction is occurring, not just where

  • Informs targeted, evidence-based treatment plans

  • Reduces the risk of secondary injuries caused by compensation

  • Provides measurable benchmarks to monitor improvement​​

Gait and Postural Assessment Includes:

 

I provide comprehensive static postural assessment and dynamic gait analysis to build a clear, objective picture of how your dog moves and functions.​

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​Static Postural Assessment

Your dog’s standing posture is assessed from multiple angles to identify:

  • Weight-bearing asymmetries

  • Muscle imbalance or atrophy

  • Joint loading patterns

  • Spinal alignment and limb positioning

  • Indicators of chronic compensation or pain avoidance

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Functional Movement Assessment

Your dog is observed during key functional tasks such as:

  • Walking and trotting

  • Turning, transitions, and changes in speed

  • Sit-to-stand and controlled movement patterns

  • Pole work

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This allows assessment of movement efficiency, coordination, and load transfer through the musculoskeletal system.

 

Advanced Gait Analysis Technology

To enhance accuracy and objectivity, I utilise:

  • Video recording for slow-motion and frame-by-frame analysis

  • Functional movement exercises commonly used in clinical rehabilitation settings

  • Evidence-based gait analysis principles drawn from human and veterinary rehabilitation science

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Video analysis allows subtle abnormalities to be identified, including:

  • Shortened stride length

  • Reduced joint range of motion

  • Altered timing between limbs

  • Lateral sway or head movement associated with pain

  • Compensatory movement patterns masking underlying issues

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This technology enables comparison over time, helping to track progress, response to treatment, and rehabilitation outcomes.

 

Clinical Expertise & Interpretation

​Technology alone is not enough, accurate interpretation is essential. My assessments are underpinned by:

  • In-depth knowledge of canine anatomy, biomechanics, and pain physiology

  • Clinical experience in musculoskeletal dysfunction and rehabilitation

  • Understanding of compensatory patterns and secondary overload injuries

  • Integration of findings with veterinary diagnoses where appropriate

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Each assessment is tailored to the individual dog, considering age, breed, lifestyle, medical history, and current clinical presentation.

Weight and Body Condition Assessment

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Your dog’s weight and muscular measurements are recorded, including body condition scoring. Where appropriate, weight management guidance is provided to support joint health, mobility, and overall wellbeing. 

 

Professional Liaison and Referral

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A written report can be provided for your veterinary Team, and referrals to other canine professionals are made where indicated to ensure a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

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I always require veterinary consent before commencing treatment.  Open Veterinary Consent Form

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Following assessment, an individualised treatment plan is developed, which may include hands-on therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and practical home management advice to support ongoing progress.

Locations

Clinic Locations 

My clinics are based in West Bridgford, Nottingham and proudly serves clients across the Midlands, including Leicester, Newark, Derby, Lincoln, and Grantham.

Canine Treatment & Wellness Clinic

Welcome to the Canine Treatment & Wellness clinic where I provide a range of therapeutic and clinical services designed to support recovery improve mobility enhanced quality of life

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Every consultation is conducted in a calm clinical environment to ensure the highest standard of care

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Rehabilitation & Performance Clinic

My exciting new facility will focus on rehabilitation, canine conditioning, fitness and performance, offering advanced equipment and tailored exercise programmes to support both recovery and athletic development, including:

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  • Specialised equipment for posture and gait  and video analysis

  • Advanced rehabilitation equipment to support recovery exercises, post-orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation, and neurological conditions

  • Tailored canine conditioning programmes to improve mobility, strength, and overall wellbeing

  • Equipment loan service to dogs undergoing canine fitness and rehabilitation programmes

Veterinary Consent Form

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©2026 East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage

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