Sarah Wilkinson McTimoney Animal Chiropractor

Animals can suffer from back, neck, pelvic and musculoskeletal problems and can benefit from a McTimoney treatment just as we can. However, animals are far more likely to hide pain due to an innate need to hide any weaknesses from predators or rivals. Therefore initial signs can be masked or subtle and symptoms can include anything from just not feeling quite right, to loss of performance or reluctance to work, to more drastic behavioural changes such as bucking, rearing, napping etc.

How does McTimoney work?

A McTimoney treatment uses highly effective, gentle physical techniques to realign and balance the animals musculoskeletal system restoring health, movement, soundness and performance. It focuses on the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine and pelvis, and is particularly concerned with the relationship between the spine and the nervous system.

All the nerves in the body run through the middle of the spinal column and branch out all the way along the spine. These nerves control everything in the animal's body - from the muscles that control movement, to their ability to feel pain, to the respiratory and digestive systems.

Nerve function can become impaired through muscle spasm and pressure from skeletal misalignments. A misalignment is a subtle movement of a vertebrae that has become 'fixed' or 'stuck' within its normal range of movement but out of alignment with its neighbouring vertebrae, resulting in reduced range of movement of that joint. The body protects itself by tightening the surrounding musculature, and this and/or direct pressure caused by the misalignment, can impair the function of the nerves inserting and exiting the spinal column. Muscle tension and misalignments can also lead to asymmetries elsewhere in the body, discomfort or pain, muscle spasm, loss of normal function and compensatory movement patterns. Blood flow can also be affected in the area leading to further muscle spasm.

A McTimoney treatment aims to restore symmetry to the animals musculoskeletal system by applying precise rapid adjustments using hands only to allow joints to return to their normal position and restoring their range of motion. This allows the body's own healing mechanism to restore health, soundness and performance, decreasing pain and allowing freer movement. It also helps the nervous system to function at its highest level.

McTimoney is a holistic treatment which means it takes the whole body into account rather than focusing on one area. It is a gentle and non-invasive treatment and is therefore an ethical and respectful way to work with animals; it is readily accepted by most animals and many seem to really enjoy it.

How do you know if your animal needs a treatment?:

Indications in animals vary and most owners will recognise when their animal is in pain or showing any signs of distress. As a guide, owners should consider a treatment for their animals if they are displaying any of the following signs:

Horses:
- Reluctance to work in an outline or reluctance
to go forward.
- General stiffness and reluctance to bend.
- Disunited canter or difficulty striking off on the
correct lead.
- Excessive tail swishing, carrying the tail to one
side or a clamped tail.
- Uneven shoe wear or toe-dragging.
- Reduced performance level; knocking or
refusing jumps, less elevated paces.
- Uneven muscle development or atrophy.
- Changes in temperment; uncharacteristic
grumpy behaviour, tired and lethargic.
- Bucking, rearing or napping or any unwanted
resistance to work.
- Unlevelness, especially behind.

Dogs:
- Difficulty climbing the stairs or getting in and
out of the car.
- Crying out when getting up.
- Uneven gait.
- Stiffness or pain after exercise.
- Change in temperment; tired and lethargic,
reluctance to exercise, grumpy or aggressive
behaviour.
- Uneven claw wear, toe-dragging or scuffing.
- Muscle atrophy.
- Signs of discomfort when being stroked.
- Loss of performance e.g. an agility dog who
has started knocking poles

Even animals displaying no symptoms can benefit from a McTimoney treatment as it is also used as a preventative and maintainence measure.

Aftercare:

A full aftercare program is given at the end of every treatment which is tailored advice specific to your animal. As mentioned above, a McTimoney treatment stimulates the body's own healing response so it is important to allow time for the healing process to take place. Therefore, it is usually recommended that the animal is given at least 24 hrs of rest post treatment. Sarah will advise on an exercise/workload program following on from that and will give any advice on recommended stretches or exercises which would be beneficial to your animal.

Vet Consent:

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, an owner must obtain permission from their veterinary surgeon before a McTimoney practitioner can proceed with the treatment. However, most vets understand the benfits of a McTimoney treatment and will readily give permission for a treatment.

About the Practitioner:

Sarah is a fully insured McTimoney Animal Therapist and is a member of the McTimoney Animal Association (MAA). The MAA is a professional association responsible for setting and upholding standards of treatment.

Sarah graduated from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic with a distinction in her MSc in Animal Manipulation and is also qualified in Merisha Animal Massage therapy. Sarah has extensive experience working on International Event yards as well as training and competing her own horses and therefore understands the demands faced by competition animals.

Sarah lives in Cardigan in West Wales and is available for treatments in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.She also travels to Staffordshire/Cheshire area to treat animals about once a month.

How to book a treatment:

You can contact Sarah by phone, email or facebook and she will endeavour to get back to you within 24hrs.
Phone: 07561 212875
Email: sarahwilkinson@hotmail.com