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| Sports Massage & Myofascial Release |
Sports Massage & Myofascial Release
Like any other athlete, your horse or pony can suffer from the the rigours of work and competition. Poor physical condition will also affect the horse's general disposition, resulting in anxiety, depression, irritability and even aggression.
Equine Sports Massage has become a major component in the range of holistic treatments that have become available to the horse over the last ten years. Owners and trainers alike are recognising that a horse with stiff and sore muscles is unlikely to perform as well as a horse in optimum condition. Contracted muscles lead to a reduction in the quality of the horse's movement, and a restriction in its range of motion. In contrast, a horse with an efficient stride that moves correctly will put less wear and tear on his joints, ligaments and tendons.
Massage is invaluable for relieving muscles that are tense and contracted, with stress point therapy releasing muscles that are in spasm. This kind of muscle pain can result from repetitive work or trauma or simply one isolated incident. Excessive stress placed on soft tissue causes tightness in the muscle, which in turn restricts circulation due to constriction of the local blood vessels. The horse's body may respond to the associated pain much as we do when we limp to protect a sore leg, throwing the body out of proper alignment and causing structural imbalances that can result in additional pain or further injury. Often these imbalances will cause further compensatory problems. It is common for a horse that has pain in one side of their hind end to then compensate and end up with additional mechanical problems or pain in the shoulder region on the other side.
I use massage to not only relieve tension, but to improve muscle tone and return elasticity and suppleness to the affected muscles. I also use myofascial, cranio-sacral and shiatsu techniques in my work. Myofascial release elongates the fascial interconnective tissues and positively affects the neuromuscular system.
Massage is used alongside conventional and complementary health care to enable the horse to perform at an optimum level. By itself, it does not attempt to cure anything and should never be considered a substitute for veterinary treatment.
About the Services Offered
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
The details provided and personal opinions expressed on this site are for information purposes only. This site is not intended to be a substitute for veterinary care or examination. Every individual and animal has uniquely different needs so you should ensure that the product, service or treatment is appropriate to your situation by taking professional advice. Equiwork.com, it's officers and owners are not responsible for the content of 3rd party websites nor accept any liability whatsoever for their use. By using this page you are confirming your acceptance and understanding of this disclaimer.
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