cheir “hand”
praktike “practice (business)”
What is McTimoney Veterinary Chiropractic?
The McTimoney way of Chiropractic is the innovation of the late John McTimoney. John McTimoney was an artist and silversmith. In the 1950’s, he took the chiropractic technique he had developed for humans and applied it to animals. It is a form of chiropractic manipulation which is non-invasive and gentle and as such is readily accepted by animals.
Who is a McTimoney Veterinary Chiropractor?
A McTimoney Veterinary Chiropractor is an individual who has finished an MSc (Master of Science) in Animal Manipulation. Alternatively, they complete a Pg Dip (Post Graduate Diploma) in Animal Manipulation.
The McTimoney College of Chiropractic (MCC) is unique in Europe and the UK offering university validated courses in animal chiropractic.
A practitioner must adhere to the McTimoney Animal Association (MAA) code of ethics. They must be insured and complete at least 25 Hours CPD (Continued Professional Development) per annum. More information can be found at https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/.
What Do They Do?
A McTimoney Chiropractor works to restore equilibrium to the neuromuscular system.
Firstly a practitioner will undertake a thorough history of the animal, additionally they will carry out static and dynamic assessments.
Unlike other therapies a practitioner will palpate the animal using only their hands. This allows any areas which have become impaired through muscle spasm and/or vertebral misalignment to be identified.
What is a Misalignment?
This is where the bones (vertebra) get ‘stuck’ and are no longer aligned with their neighbouring bone. This subsequently affects their natural range of motion (ROM). As a result there can be tightening of the surrounding musculature, or direct pressure from the misalignment can impair the nerves which insert and exit through the spinal cord.
Misalignment’s fall into two categories: Acute and Chronic. Acute misalignments are fast / sudden in onset and are therefore often the result of a specific incident or injury. The effect of acute misalignments are notably short lived, however, if left untreated they may become more chronic in nature. Chronic misalignments tend to be slow / gradual in onset, often from a long standing condition or underlying predisposition (Osteoarthritis of the Hock; Hip Dysplasia or poor conformation).
Misalignments may cause dysfunction, decreased performance, movement and soundness. There can be resulting pain and discomfort.
What Are Common Signs of Misalignments?
In Horses
- Uneven stride
- Uneven wear on shoes
- Saddle Slip
- Asymmetry, this could be noticed as a disunited canter or inability to bend / stiffness on one rein
- Uneven muscle development (hypertonicity / Atrophy)
- Poor performance
- Avoidance behaviour e.g. Napping/ rearing/bucking
In Dogs
- Signs of discomfort when being stroked along their back
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Reluctance to exercise
- Stiffness after exercise or stiffness when waking up
- Reluctance to jump into or out of the car
How Does it Work?
McTimoney Chiropractic technique induces a therapeutic response from within the animal’s body, in joint structures, musculature and nerve reflexes. Lymphatic drainage is initiated which allows toxins to be released from the body.
McTimoney Chiropractic promotes an innate healing response which continues after treatment has taken place.
After Treatment
After your practitioner has completed their treatment you will be given general aftercare advice and also advice specifically tailored to your animal and the treatment they have received.
Follow up treatments will be tailored and scheduled to each individual animal, it is considered that a minimum of two treatments are received to optimise the healing response.
Everyone who sees him remarks on how lively he is!
Suzy Soper 