Manual Treatments
As a canine musculoskeletal therapist, I specialise in skilled hands-on manual therapy techniques that combine clinical canine massage with osteopathic functional therapy.
My goal is to support and restore healthy movement dogs, enhancing their overall physical wellbeing. By addressing not only specific musculoskeletal concerns but also the body as an integrated system I strive to improve mobility alleviate pain, and promote efficient functional performance's work together to help your dog thrive!
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Manual therapy techniques are typically incorporated into your dog’s treatment sessions as part of a tailored rehabilitation or maintenance programme. Each session is adapted to your dog’s individual needs presentation, tolerance, and clinical goals.
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Further details on the specific manual therapy techniques used are outlined below
SKILLED BODY WORK
Clinical Massage
I have trained for two years as a Guild Clinical Massage Therapist and three years in Canine Osteopathy, the techniques used include a combination of these such as Swedish, sports, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and direct & indirect myofascial release. Passive Range of Motion (PROM) and Stretching are routinely used and improve mobility, flexibility and prevent adhesions forming between soft tissues whilst improving tissue extensibility and realigning fibres. PROM is extremely beneficial following surgery or injury
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What is Clinical Canine Massage?
Clinical Canine Massage is a hands-on therapy that helps restore, maintain and enhance your dogs musculoskeletal system. It is a form of remedial bodywork, which can help rehabilitate soft tissue injuries and joint issues. It can provide relief whilst helping to resolve many day to day mobility issues which you may see as lameness and limping. It can also help to significantly support Orthopaedic conditions such as Arthritis and Hip/Elbow Dysplasia and helps senior dogs with their mobility and pain management.
Canine Massage is an effective therapy to recondition dogs muscles and helps improve the performance of sporting dogs including companion events such as agility, canicross, flyball and obedience and performance events such as mushing, field trials and herding.
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Using skilled canine massage techniques such as Swedish, sports, deep tissue and myofascial release, and performing direct manipulation of muscle and fascia; painful debilitating ‘knots’ (trigger points) that cause referred pain are released and scar tissue and adhesions can be broken down, improving your dog’s flexibility, mobility and comfort levels.
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Osteopathic Techniques
Animal osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on therapeutic approach that aims to support an animal’s health, comfort, and functional movement. It is a holistic modality that considers the whole animal, rather than focusing solely on the site of pain or discomfort. By assessing how different structures and systems interact, osteopathic techniques aim to restore balance, optimise movement, and support the body’s natural capacity for regulation and recovery.
I incorporate a range of osteopathic-informed manual therapy techniques, selected and adapted to each dog’s individual presentation, tolerance, and clinical needs. Techniques include: balanced ligamentous tension (BLT), articulations, oscillations, pumping and functional techniques. These techniques are evidence-based and increasingly supported by clinical research within veterinary and rehabilitation settings. When appropriately applied, they may help to alleviate pain, improve mobility, enhance movement efficiency, and support overall physical function.
All osteopathic techniques are used within a safe, ethical, and clinically reasoned framework, with patient comfort, welfare, and individual tolerance always prioritised. Techniques are commonly integrated into a wider rehabilitation or maintenance programme to support both short- and long-term outcomes.
Myofascial Techniques
Myofascial Release – A Specialist Area of Practice
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Myofascial release is a central and specialised part of my clinical work. It is an advanced, hands-on form of bodywork that requires years of dedicated training, clinical experience, and refined palpation skills. This level of work goes beyond basic manual therapy and is typically practised by highly skilled bodywork professionals with a deep understanding of anatomy, tissue behaviour, and neuromuscular response.
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Myofascial release is a precise, intentional therapy that works with the body rather than forcing change. Fascia is a continuous connective tissue system that plays a vital role in movement, posture, load distribution, and pain perception. Restrictions within the fascial system can contribute to stiffness, altered movement patterns, discomfort, and compensatory strain throughout the body.
I specialise in a range of advanced myofascial release techniques, including both direct and indirect myofascial release, myofascial unwinding, and Myofascial Release Lenton Methods™
Clinical Impact and Outcomes
How Myofascial Release Works
Myofascial release can produce profound and often visible changes in movement, posture, and comfort, sometimes within a single session. Dogs may show improvements in stride length, ease of movement, relaxation, and willingness to engage in activity. These changes are particularly valuable in complex cases, chronic pain presentations, post-injury rehabilitation, and dogs affected by stress, trauma, or long-standing compensatory patterns.
By addressing restrictions within the fascial system, myofascial release supports not only physical mobility but also nervous system regulation, contributing to improved movement quality, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
This specialised work is integrated thoughtfully into each dog’s treatment plan, always with patient welfare, safety, and ethical clinical practice at the forefront.
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Before Treatment
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In this image, note the visible disruption in the line of the coat over the lumbar and sacral regions. On palpation, these areas were identified as tight and restricted, and the dog showed signs of discomfort when the tissues were gently assessed. These coat pattern changes are consistent with underlying myofascial tension in the associated muscle groups.
After One Treatment Session
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Following a single treatment session, the coat pattern over the lumbar and sacral areas appears more even and aligned. On reassessment, the tissues were softer with reduced restriction, indicating improved myofascial mobility. The absence of visible coat disruptions reflects a reduction in underlying tension within the musculature and fascia.
Benefits of Myofascial Release for Dogs
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Reduces painful trigger points and muscle tightness
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Breaks the pain–spasm–pain cycle
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Releases constricted or shortened fascial tissues
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Reduces adhesions and restrictions, including post-surgical or injury-related scar tissue
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Improves muscle balance and coordination
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Decreases stiffness and joint soreness
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Improves mobility, flexibility, and ease of movement
As pain is reduced and movement becomes more comfortable, many dogs also show improvements in confidence, relaxation, and overall wellbeing. Reduced discomfort can contribute to lower stress and anxiety levels, particularly in dogs experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that focuses on the craniosacral system, which includes the bones of the skull, spine, and sacrum, as well as the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Craniosacral therapy aims to release restrictions in this system, which can improve overall health and well-being.
This type of bodywork releases and relieves compression within the bones in the skull and back. CST may help to restore cranial mobility, easing restrictions within the nerves, head and neck. It can be a very calming and relaxing treatment for the animal and is often highly affective.
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It is highly effective at treating both acute and chronic injuries in dogs and is good for dogs with:
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Head injuries/traumas, spinal injuries
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Hip dysplasia, hind-end injuries, lameness, paralysis, crucial ligament injuries, behaviour problems e.g.,
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Head, Jaw and facial tensions including dental and ear sensitivities
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Behaviour issues; aggression, fear, nervousness, separation anxiety and noise phobia
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Post spay/neutering surgery
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Pre & post-surgery
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Seizures
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Craniosacral therapy is an effective treatment for brachycephalic dogs by alleviating tension in the head, neck, and jaw regions. This gentle therapy helps reduce congestion and compression, leading to improved nasal breathing. As a result, many dogs experience enhanced respiratory function and overall mobility, significantly enhancing their quality of life
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CST may help to:
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Reduce pain
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Improve mobility and flexibility
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Promote healing
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Reduce anxiety
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Reduce discomfort
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Minimize trauma effect
Maintenance Sessions
​Maintenance sessions are specifically designed for your dog, allowing for the early detection of minor issues before they escalate into serious injuries. These sessions help keep your dog mobile and are particularly beneficial for chronic pain management.
They are effective for dogs with orthopaedic and neurological conditions, as well as for ongoing treatments for senior and overweight dogs. Additionally, maintenance sessions are ideal for sporting and performance dogs, offering pre- and post-season treatments promoting muscle tone and flexibility, while reducing the risk of injuries.
