Canine Myotherapy

I have had many roles within the animal industry, and over the years I have watched many dogs struggle with their mobility. Things like struggling to lift one leg, walking up a ramp or jumping onto surfaces, odd joint deviations during movement, difficulty turning in a circle, etc. 

Mobility issues like these used to be primarily present in elderly dogs, but I had started to see them in young puppies, adult dogs and small-breed and large-breed dogs. It concerned and saddened me that it had become so common.

As a qualified Canine Myofunctional Therapist, I help dogs with a range of conditions, including Arthritis or DJD, CCL/ACL Injuries, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Muscle Atrophy or Wastage and Lameness, often working alongside veterinarians where needed.

You may also like to seek out a Myotherapist if your dog exhibits joint or muscle stiffness, reduced Range Of Motion (ROM), poor competitive performance, unwillingness to participate in once-loved activities (fetch, tug etc.), reluctance to jump or step over objects or use stairs, poor skeletal conformation and pain.

Depending on the severity of the injury or muscle dysfunction, rest alone is not always enough.

Often, our dogs appear to feel better after rest; however, the natural response to reduce pain is for the muscles to shorten, thereby restricting your dog’s movement. This can be difficult to pick up on as the changes in movement could be subtle.

Muscles can become injured in several ways: overuse/fatigue, poor conformation, trauma, overstretching leading to a tear, improper warm-up or cool-down during exercise, poor muscle development, pulling on a leash, excessive jumping, using the wrong training tools, etc. 

These small injuries may begin with a slight restriction in movement, but they should not be ignored as they can lead to more severe dysfunction without the proper attention.

For the longevity of your dog, it is best to have these injuries treated. I pride myself on being able to offer preventative suggestions based on your individual circumstances, which can prolong your dog’s mobility whether or not there is an injury present.

If you’re looking for rehabilitation of an injury or to maintain your dog’s physical health, reach out via the button below. I’d love to work with you and your dog to support their health and happiness.