Manual therapy is the hands-on part of physiotherapy. We use our hands to assess and treat muscles, joints and soft tissues, to ease pain and stiffness and help your animal move more comfortably. It's suitable for everything from older pets to performance horses.
Techniques we use
- Joint mobilisations: controlled movements to improve joint movement and reduce stiffness
- Massage, including lymphatic drainage, to ease muscle tension and spasm
- Myofascial release for tight, restricted soft tissue
- Trigger point therapy: sustained pressure on tight, tender spots in muscle
- Stretching and range-of-motion work, passive and active
- Neural mobilisations: gentle techniques where nerves aren't gliding freely through surrounding tissue
Who it helps
- Older animals with arthritis and stiffness
- Animals recovering from surgery or injury
- Sport and working animals, from agility dogs to showjumpers, as part of regular maintenance
- Animals with tension from compensating for a sore leg or back
What to expect
Every session starts with a hands-on assessment. Treatment is guided by your animal's comfort, and we work at your home or yard, in surroundings your animal knows. We'll often add exercises for you to continue between visits, and may combine manual therapy with laser therapy or Electrotherapy.
We work alongside your vet, who diagnoses and manages the underlying condition, so that your animal's treatment fits together.
Frequently asked questions
Is manual therapy the same as massage?
Massage is one technique. Manual therapy also includes joint, soft-tissue and nerve techniques chosen from a physiotherapy assessment.
Can manual therapy help my competition horse?
Many sport horses have regular sessions as part of their maintenance, alongside their vet, farrier and saddle fitter.
Is it suitable for nervous animals?
Yes. We go at your animal's pace and treating at home usually helps nervous animals settle.
Where we work
We're a mobile practice, so we come to you: at home, at the yard or on the farm. We cover Betty's Bay, Botrivier, Gansbaai, Grabouw, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Pringle Bay, Somerset West, Stanford and Stellenbosch, and the areas around them. See our service area map.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Every animal is assessed individually, and we work alongside your vet.