Manual Therapy for the Horse—A Contemporary Perspective

Dynamic mobilisation exercises increase cross sectional area ofmusculus multifidus

“…The movements of the horse's vertebral column when performing these exercises can be likened to a common treatment technique used in human physical therapy called mobilisation with movement (Goff and Jull 2007; Goff 2009; Haussler 2009). This type of therapy is well documented in the literature to relieve pain and reduce muscle spasm, thereby restoring intervertebral range of motion (Wright 1995; Vicenzino et al .…”

Submitted summaries

“…Incorporating dynamic stretching this technique is suggested to hold many positive benefits primarily stimulation of proprioceptive awareness, enhanced neuromotor responses, core muscle strengthening, improved coordination and agility (Goff, 2009). Dynamic stretching is also applied to flexibility training for athletic horses and in restoration of locomotor function following injury or immobilisation (Goff and Stubbs, 2007).…”

Pain

“…59 Physiotherapy Physiotherapy refers to passive or assisted active movements applied to address impairments in the articular, neural, and muscular systems. 60 Ongoing research into the analgesic mechanism underlying physiotherapy suggests that focally induced movement may activate afferent neurons and stimulate neural inhibitory systems at multiple spinal levels, producing hypoalgesia. 61 Passive accessory mobilization of the cervical spine (as compared with placebo) has been demonstrated to provide pain relief in specific conditions.…”

“…63 Massage Although there are limited case-controlled data to support clinical observations of improvement in pain states following massage, studies have demonstrated an increased mechanical nociceptive threshold in the thoracolumbar region 57 and improved stride lengths at walk and trot 64 after massage. Tissue manipulation effects changes in neurologic signaling relating to pain processing and motor control 60 and upregulates signaling within large-diameter nerve fibers to provide inhibition of the ascending nociceptive signals. 65 Soft tissue mobilization improves blood flow improving tissue viability and so reduces pain associated with tissue damage.…”