My aim is to provide spinal manipulation to horses and dogs using a non-invasive, gentle approach to aid natural healing.

I have an understanding and thorough approach to my work and time is spent compiling a true and accurate picture of your animal’s history, problems and then a physical examination is performed.

I am a qualified McTimoney-Corley Animal Manipulator having gained a diploma from the Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy.

Spinal Therapists work to remove the cause of problems not just the symptoms. They specialise in the detection, correction and prevention of joint and muscle problems to relieve pain and improve health.

The treatment will not hurt the animal, in fact most thoroughly enjoy it! The adjustments consist of a short, sharp thrust to the specific area which releases muscle spasm, alleviates pain and returns the joint to its normal range of motion. This allows the body to restore its own natural balance and harmony.

A fully detailed report is produced and you will be advised on aftercare of your animal. A rehabilitation programme may also be provided to try to ensure that the animal has the necessary level of fitness and musculature to cope with the demands made upon it, thereby reducing the risk of further injury.

I recommend spinal treatments every six months, as prevention is better than cure, although treatments can be carried out more often if at any time you feel it necessary.

Spinal Manipulation is not an alternative to conventional veterinary care and veterinary permission is needed to use alternative therapies.

History of Spinal Therapy

McTimoney-Corley animal manipulation originated with John McTimoney in the early nineteen seventies, then Hugh Corley (who was one of John McTimoney's students) introduced some of his own techniques later in that decade.  In the mid-nineteen eighties, animal treatment was further developed by Shelagh James-Hudson.

McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapy was originally taught to students of the Oxford College of Chiropractic (OCC) as a Post-Graduate diploma course - established since 1986.  Unfortunately the OCC no-longer exists, but the Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy continues to run the course at Witney Stud, which is part of Abingdon and Witney College.

How Does Spinal Therapy Work?

The methodology behind this complementary therapy is that the Central Nervous System (CNS) incorporating the brain and spinal column, together with the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) (throughout the rest of the body), control all body processes.  The nervous system effectively carries electrical signals all over the body, processes them and invokes the necessary response.  Examples of this could be a muscle reflex to escape pain or release of hormones e.g., adrenalin in response to fear.  The spinal column is protected by the spinal vertebrae, which are held in position by ligaments and muscles.  The nerves exit from between the spinal vertebrae at the intervertebral foramen (IVF), and influence every aspect of the body's physiology either directly or indirectly.  As long as this communication system is not interfered with, the body can operate properly.

Through increased muscle tension due to muscle spasm, or scar tissue development as a result of injury, normal vertebral joint mobility can be reduced.  This can lead to pressure being exerted on the nerves exiting the spinal column and/or through pressure exerted by muscle spasm (muscle fibres locked in contraction).  A nerve under pressure becomes swollen and sensitive and after a prolonged period starts to shrink in size (atrophy).  The nerve is effectively being strangled, which reduces its ability to conduct its signals to the areas of the body it innervates.  It is not difficult to see how this can lead to specific organs in the body becoming affected due to lack of stimulus e.g., bladder control could be affected for instance.

McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapy treatment is an effective and relatively gentle way of helping to restore joint mobility and release muscle tension.  Therapists are taught palpation skills in order to isolate areas of nerve/joint restriction along the spinal column and in other joints of the body.  Specific adjustments are then applied using their bare-hands to help restore movement to the joint and relieve pressure exerted on the nerves.  This allows nervous system impulses to flow freely once more enabling the body to work efficiently again.