Physiotherapy alongside traditional approaches

The main aim of a physiotherapist is to restore painless optimal function and prevent the loss of function. This is not dissimilar to the veterinarians aim of restoration of equine performance due to musculoskeletal or neurological dysfunction, and highlights the synergy between the two professions [1]. In human medicine physiotherapy is an important allied health profession and contributes an essential part to the care of all individuals, especially in elite sports. Within small animal hospitals it has become increasingly popular to have a qualified physiotherapist in residence to work alongside traditional veterinary treatments. The treating veterinarian however, must give permission for the treatment of equine physiotherapy in accordance to The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Equine physiotherapy still has a long way to go to be commonplace alongside equine veterinary treatment. Commonly it is the owner, trainer or rider that requests physiotherapy treatment rather than directly from the treating veterinarian. It is still too often the case that physiotherapy is either a last resort, or thought of long after the initial injury or surgery ...