Northwest Equine Therapy Services
Sports and Rehabilitative
Bodywork for Horses
Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Telephone 360.531.0563
There are many different approaches to bodywork. I believe in addressing a client's issue wholistically therefore I take many things into consideration before I start my work such as age, conditioning, nature of injury, conformational structure, constitution and just overall general health of your horse. And because no 2 horses are the same I never approach my clients with an agenda. Below are explainations of some of the bodywork modalities that I specialize in and may use in your horse's treatment.
Strain/Counterstrain and Positional Release
This is an osteopathic approach to joint realignment that is done by placing the joint in the position of greatest comfort. When there is a misalignment in a joint it is generally caused by a set of contracted muscles (muscles in spasm) that cross the joint or attach to the bone affiliated with the joint which pull it out of alignment. The pinched nerves involved with that joint send a message to the brain telling it is strained. By understanding the directional forces of the joint and the muscles associated with it, a therapist can apply strain in the opposite direction thus shortening the strained muscle that is stuck in contraction. After being in this position for an alotted amount of time the brain changes the message and tells the muscle to release. Because this procedure takes 90 seconds to 2 minutes to conduct it also allows time for the synovial sack (which holds the synovial fluid--the buffer inbetween joints) to slip back into its most effective position (it too gets slightly shifted when there is misalignment) and allows the joint to once again have the proper shock absorber effect as it was initially designed to do. Positional release and strain/counterstrain therapy reverses the contraction of the strained (contracted) muscle as well as reverses the spastic elongation of the antagonist muscle (the muscle(s) that counteract the injured contracted muscle(s)) so the joint may graciously slip back into alignment. Since this type of joint alignment is happening at the same time soft tissue is being released this modality can have the effect of manipulative chiropractic as well as soft tissue release associated with massage. It is less evasive to the horse than manual adjustments and horses (and people) tend to find great relief from pain without incurring pain to get there. This work is very beneficial in realigning and relieving pain associated with the spinal column, ribcage and appendicular joints and in some cases is the prime modality practiced by chiropractors. Even though strain/counterstrain and positional release can have chiropractic effect it is considered an osteopathic bodywork approach and therefore allowable, with certification, to be practiced by massage and physical therapist.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) techniques are based on the concept that the body has the power to heal itself. This non-invasive method, developed by Dr. John Upledger, a world renowned Osteopath, focuses on balancing the craniosacral system through light touch. The craniosacral system consist of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround that protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the scull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum (in the pelvis). This vital system has it's own rhythm like the respiratory, heart and lymphatic systems. CST effects the function of the central nervous system, the immune system, the endocrine system and visceral organs via the autonomic nervous system. It has been found useful in injury rehabilitation, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, seizure disorders, depressive reactions, motor dysfunction, vision disorders, tempermandibular joint problems (TMJ), headaches, poll and spinal column pain, chronic pain and fatigue problems and is used by doctors, physical therapist and bodyworkers around the world. I am certified as an advanced craniosacral and somatic emotional release therapist and I am one of the first in the world, along with 19 classmates, to be certified in Equine Craniosacral Therapy through Upledger Institute.
Myofascial Release
Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads thoughout the body in a three-dimensional web from head to hoof (or foot in the human's case) without interruption. Fascia surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, and organ, all the way down to the cellular level. I like to describe fascia as a huge three-dimensional piece of seran wrap. If it gets twisted in one area, it binds everything in its path. When there is an injury, whether acute or repetitive in nature, adhesions can occur in the fascia, tightening and binding the muscle, nerves, organs and blood vessels so they cannot function properly. Myofascial Release is a technique that unbinds this matter and allows the body to return to its elastic-rehydrated state. Working on the fascial layers helps prolong the relaxing effects of massage on the muscles, can break holding patterns and help correct postural problems. I am an advanced myofascial release therapist under the study of the John Barnes method.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT) stimulates the circulation of the lymphatic (immune) system's flow. The lymphatic system has a tremendous effect on health and many times due to injury or illness the lymphatic flow backs up in the body. LDT has been successfully used to alleviate conditions such as swelling (edemas) and cellulitis of many origins including post-injury, chronic pain, arthritis, post-illness that initially taxed the body systemically (such as founder), secondary lymphadema caused by cancer, the removal of lymph nodes and/or damage incurred from radiation and/or chemotherapy. LDT is used to detox and regenerate the body tissues by working with the lymphatic systems circulation process. Surgeons have found that by applying lymphatic drainage techniques prior to surgery they make cleaner incisions and patients have faster healing time due to the detoxed tissue. I am a certified lymphatic therapist through Upledger and Bruno Chikly, MD, DO, on humans and I have adapted this modality and spent several years using this practice successfully on horses.
Deep Tissue Massage and Sports Massage
Massage concentrates on muscles that cannot lengthen or relax on their own accord. Muscles are designed to contract and elongate to a certain point. When we push our muscles beyond this point, whether by over stretching the muscle or exhausting it so it no longer can function properly or respond correctly, the muscle can become injured. Muscles are made up of many fibers that with overuse can slightly fray. The body's response to this is to lay down new cross fibers in a manner which sews up the micro-tear so the body can continue to use the muscle. Every time we work out there is a line where we can overuse our muscles. This breaking down and rebuilding or remodeling of the muscle is desired and how we become muscularly tone. Overall its a good process if we stay within the range. And in the case that a muscle finds itself in a potentially dangerous tear situation, whether it's because we've ballistically used the muscle or pushed the muscle one too many times without proper recovery (repetitive injuries), the muscle will respond by hyper-contracting (so not to over stretch and rip fibers) and thus spasm. This is all done through a complicated and well designed nervous system that sends a message to the brain screaming "Contract now or it'll tear!" If a muscle becomes contracted and unelastic (due to repetitive patterns, injury or adhesions) and are left unattended for too long of a period the contraction may become an irreversible (known as fibrosis). Muscle injuries can be very painful for your horse. The injury can lead to new problems caused by the substitution of other parts of the body to compensate for the dysfunction. In some ways, muscle tissues could be thought of as the first line of defense, skeletally speaking, when considering soft tissue injuries. If muscles, the most viscous and elastic of tissues, are too tight to function not only may the injury involve a muscle group but the strain may creep up the line to involve and injure tendons, ligaments or bones (remember, tendons are on the ends of muscles, muscles move bones, and bones are attached to bones via ligaments). This is why proper warm up and cool downs, stretching, diet and optimum muscle conditioning is a must if we are to ask our horses to perform. Massage elongates the muscle, breaks down the adhesions in the muscle tissue, increases elasticity, increases the blood and lymphatic flow and in general increases the overall range of motion in muscles. Massage has been scientifically proven to improve the immune system. Even if your horse seems moderately healthy you may consider massage as part of his conditioning program to increase range of motion and to give him a cutting edge during competition.
Stretching
In conclusion, I must discuss the benefits of stretching. Stretching is vital part to any athletes regime. Like massage it promotes flexibility, suppleness, and balance and increases your horse's overall performance. I stretch horses during sessions and before and after my own riding. I show horse owners how to do simple stretches that can benefit and prolong their horse's physical health long after I leave the premises. I also teach equine stretching clinics. Stretching equals strength. An avid yoga, Feldenkrais and Pilates practitioner myself I believe stretching should be in all of our regimes. Not only do I stretch my horse clients, I also show stretches to people in my human practice. We can all use a little postural retraining, quadrupeds and bipeds alike, and in some cases working with the rider can also benefit the movement of the equine.
BodyWork Techniques
Lisa Gilley, BS, LMP, LAMP
If you would like an appointment please call 360.531.0563.
Appointments are made by telephone only. For other inquiries please email lisagilley@horsemassag.org
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