Introduction

Animal Physiotherapy works as a complementary therapy to a veterinary practice, in much the same way a human Physiotherapist does with the medical profession. While it is not the role of the physiotherapist to diagnose, but rather to implement treatment under referral of the animal’s veterinary surgeon, (as governed by the Veterinary Surgery Act of 1966), the physiotherapist is however, ideally skilled to assess the state of the musculo-skeletal system, for example, muscular - pain, tension, spasm, imbalance, restriction, scar tissue, loss of extensibility & suppleness and to treat accordingly.

For someone to provide animal therapy with full professional indemnity insurance, a therapist must have both a recognised professional qualification and membership of a professional body, such as the International Association of Animal Therapists. You can be assured that Jo Lynch satisfies both of these criteria.

The Role of the Physiotherapist

• Optimise your animal's physical well-being and performance.
• Improve function, such as movement, strength & way of going.
• Reduce pain, swelling & complications arising from injury, surgery, disease or disuse.
• Optimise healing (rate and quality) of tissues such as bone, muscle, ligament, tendon and wound, post-trauma or surgery.
• Minimise the risk of injury reoccurence.
• Increase strength, range of motion, endurance & performance.
• Improve quality of life, especially animals living with chronic conditions.
• Reduce or compliment the use of arthritis medication (NSAID's).
• Increase or preserve muscle, nerve and joint function.
• Provide a holistic approach to all of the animal's needs.