News
Therapeutic Laser
Thursday 5th April 2018
Therapeutic laser is indicated for increasing local blood circulation, relief of minor muscle and joint stiffness and associated discomfort. It can aid relaxation and reduce spasm in muscles and promote healing when superficial tissues are damaged, including wounds and surgical scars. It is also helpful in settling down inflammation and improving comfort from minor but sore abrasions such as tack rubs, bites and kicks. As always, Chartered Physiotherapists work within their scope of practice in conjunction with the veterinary surgeons act. Hire of machine is £100 per week and at therapist's discretion only. In most cases the use of laser would be included in my usual treatment fee, and I will use it if my assessment suggests it would be appropriate for…
Dean Locking new associate of Naomi Smith Equine Physiotherapy Consultancy
Sunday 16th July 2017
Dean Locking has joined Naomi Smith Equine Physiotherapy Consultancy as an associate chartered and ACPAT/RAMP equine physiotherapist. We can now offer more appointments and clinic follow ups west of Bridgend with the consultancy.
Importance of the TMJ to Horses' Well-being
Tuesday 6th June 2017
An often overlooked area that can be causing horses pain and dysfunction is the upper cervical spine, temperomandibular joint (TMJ) and facial musculature. These areas can be stressed and damaged by ill-fitting or ill-used tack, training aids or even head collars, poor riding technique and dental imbalances. A network of superficial but important nerves runs over the face making it vulnerable to pressure damage and pain. Recent research is also linking TMJ pain to hind limb lameness and dysfunction. The three images show Echo being assessed for tension/comfort in the complex of muscles inserting into the poll, including splenius and the brachiocephalicus muscle. The temporalis muscle and auricular muscles and ligaments of the jaw joint (TMJ) and passive assessment of…
A New Safe Choice for Animals
Thursday 12th January 2017
An important new register has been created. The Register for Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) lists professionals using Chiropractic, Osteopathic and Physiotherapy techniques for animals. This national organisation's standards are similar to those set worldwide. All practitioners listed have reached the Gold Standard of practice set by RAMP. They are properly qualified and insured. The list is available on the website www.rampregister.org. It is organised by geographical area to make practitioners easy-to-find for vets, trainers and animal owners. The musculoskeletal sector is a relatively young industry which contains multiple competing types of practice that has caused confusions for animal owners. This was potentially putting animals at risk. Musculoskeletal treatment should only be carried out by people who are appropriately competent. This will avoid causing undue…
Ridden Assessments
Tuesday 15th November 2016
"Chartered Physiotherapy for riders and horses aims to improve performance and well being for the equine-human partnership and helps to treat problems, long and short term for both". Sometimes, no matter how good your instructor or horse is, progress can slow or stop in relation to training goals. In my ridden assessments, I look at the rider both on the horse as well as on the ground and put together tailor-made exercises which the rider can work on both on their own and when riding. My ridden assessment sessions are a really effective way to identify and work on the riders weaknesses and strengths, to promote symmetry, suppleness, stability, controlled movement and overall body position awareness. Image: Mynydd's Horse Live at…
News from ACPAT: New Animal Practitioner Register
Friday 14th October 2016
'This week's Horse & Hound includes an article introducing the new animal practitioner register: RAMP (Register for Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners). This voluntary register is now live and has been developed with leading industry professionals and DEFRA to help work towards setting a gold standard of professional qualification and experience for all animal/ veterinary physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths. This is to help simplify the current market and to allow vets and owners alike to have uses high standard services they can trust. To see the article in full visit your local retailer or download a digital version via your App Store.'
Hartpury Dissection Day
Monday 12th September 2016
On the 8th of September, the organisers of the MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy for Chartered Physiotherapists put on a anatomy dissection study day for all the clinical educators in the area. We had access to the distal (lower) limb and the cervical spine (neck) and were able to explore the soft tissues and joints and discuss treatment relevance and pathology. It was a privilege and very useful for my practice. The video shows the slide of the tendons over the back of the fetlock, allowing movement but giving stability. The tendons are white due to the amount of collagen and the poor blood supply which makes them so vulnerable to injury and slow to heal. There is a great picture of the…
Performance Horse Clinic 14 th June
Wednesday 25th May 2016
Next clinic for poor performance at B and W vets Hensol is 14 th of June 2016 with Lee Paul MRCVS and Naomi Smith ACPAT Cat A... book direct with the vets for joint assessment and treatment.
New Announcement
Friday 19th February 2016
Following the success of clinics combining Veterinary and Physiotherapy skills at Cotts Farm Equine in Pembrokeshire since 2010 I am pleased to announce that in 2016, Joint Veterinary and Physiotherapy Performance Clinics start at B and W Equine Vets. The clinics are with Lee Paul MRCVS and Naomi Smith ACPAT CAt A on a monthly basis. Lee and Naomi have worked together for 10 years, and this clinic aims to combine both sets of skills at the new facilities now at Pendoylan
BEVA Liverpool
Wednesday 30th September 2015
I was invited to speak about Back Pain at the prestigious international conference of British Equine Vets Association known as BEVA in Liverpool, September 2015. It was a pleasure to be alongside three other experienced and well regarded ACPAT physiotherapists, Jo Paul, Sonya Nightingale and Anna Johnson. A nerve wracking but fantastic opportunity, lots of great questions and an honour to be asked.
