THERAPIES
Equine Sports Massage Therapy and Stretching
Equine Acupressure
Electrotherapy - HWAVE, TENS, MICROCURRENT
Therapeutic Ultrasound
K-Laser Class 4 Therapy
Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy
Equine Kinesio Taping
Equine SUREFOOT Stability Pads
Rehabilitation - Longreining/Polework/Prescriptive Exercises
SPORTS MASSAGE AND STRETCHING
Racehorses are athletes and suffer from muscular stiffness, strains and injuries and can benefit from sports massage. Manual palpation can help determine the condition of the horses muscles. Massage manipulates the soft tissue, promoting tissue drainage, muscle relaxation, and pain relief. Tight and contracted muscles, tendons, ligaments, chronic inflammatory conditions, scar tissue and chronic oedema are conditions that can benefit from massage. Massage loosens and stretches dense connective tissue, has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, and can enhance lymphatic and blood circulatory activity. Imbalances in muscle tension or energy are very early signs of injury. Manual therapy can effectively prevent injury by keeping the soft tissues mobile. When connective tissue mobility is lost there is more strain on surrounding tissue, increasing the likelihood of fibre damage. Massage is combined with stretching exercises to maintain normal range of motion. A racehorse needs to be fast but agility is also vital - galloping at fast pace demands a certain amount of agility for rapid stride turnover. Elasticity of the muscles, tendons and ligaments allows for more controlled, quick movements and helps avoid muscle pulls. Stretching exercises will increase the stretch tolerance of the muscles and connective tissue.
Racehorses are athletes and suffer from muscular stiffness, strains and injuries and can benefit from sports massage. Manual palpation can help determine the condition of the horses muscles. Massage manipulates the soft tissue, promoting tissue drainage, muscle relaxation, and pain relief. Tight and contracted muscles, tendons, ligaments, chronic inflammatory conditions, scar tissue and chronic oedema are conditions that can benefit from massage. Massage loosens and stretches dense connective tissue, has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, and can enhance lymphatic and blood circulatory activity. Imbalances in muscle tension or energy are very early signs of injury. Manual therapy can effectively prevent injury by keeping the soft tissues mobile. When connective tissue mobility is lost there is more strain on surrounding tissue, increasing the likelihood of fibre damage. Massage is combined with stretching exercises to maintain normal range of motion. A racehorse needs to be fast but agility is also vital - galloping at fast pace demands a certain amount of agility for rapid stride turnover. Elasticity of the muscles, tendons and ligaments allows for more controlled, quick movements and helps avoid muscle pulls. Stretching exercises will increase the stretch tolerance of the muscles and connective tissue.
ELECTROTHERAPY
H-WAVE/TENS/MICROCURRENT
The H-WAVE is an unique electrotherapy machine which combines muscular and neurological stimulation for the first time. H-WAVE generates a signal that is revolutionary in electrotherapy - a bipolar exponential decaying waveform - which enables deep penetration. Traditional equine electrotherapy has used either square or diamond waves. These are broken and can , even at quite moderate intensity levels, be uncomfortable for the horse. The H-WAVE intermittent wave, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable when applied and it encounters very little dermal resistance and no appreciable muscle fatigue.
Two modes of action
The H-WAVE can be applied in two ways - using 2Hz or 60Hz impulses - through special pads placed over and near the injury.
2Hz Muscle Pump - The 2Hz 'therapeutic' mode creates visible muscular contractions which increase the flow of oxygenated blood and stimulate lymphatic drainage through an injury site. The dramatic increase in blood and lymph flow accelerates the removal of pain producing chemicals and toxins which build up around an injury - thus reducing pain. The lymphatic system can then operate more efficiently which in turn assists the removal of oedema and stimulation of the healing process.
The H-WAVE moves all muscle groups comfortably and with no muscle fatigue to the animal being treated.
60Hz Analgesia - The 60Hz pain relief mode produces a different therapeutic effect - that of deep analgesia. This is
achieved by shutting down the transmission of pain signals and is also believed to stimulate the production of the horses own pain-producing chemicals, endorphins and encephalins. In acutely painful conditions, H-WAVE on 60Hz may be applied to reduce the pain and thereby the 'vicious cycle of pain' before proceeding with the muscle pump. If discomfort persists after the muscle pump 60Hz can be used to improve equine comfort.
The H-WAVE High frequency treatment is very effective for the immediate relief of pain. But it is low frequency therapeutic mode which provides the effective long-term relief from any soft-tissue problem.
Tying up - Electrical stimulation can be used as an adjunct to the normal treatment of tying up, or exertional rhabdomyolysis ( this is a term which means "dissolution of muscle" and refers to a condition in which myoglobin ( muscle protein ) appears in the urine after strenuous exercise. Horses exhibit this painful condition after racing, hard work,early stages of basic training and times of stress. A decrease in muscle bloodflow caused by muscle spasm prevents the removal of lactic acid and painful cramping results. Massaging the muscles with low intensity electrical stimulation aids in the removal of lactic acid and other waste products of exertion,reducing soreness and can help reoccurence of syndrome the following day combined with veterinary treatment.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. It is a therapy that uses low voltage electric current for pain relief.
The difference between TENS and EMS, TENS stimulates the nerves - this stimulation blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. EMS mimicks the action potential that comes from the central nervous system causing the muscles to contract. But both deliver low voltage electric impulses to stimulate.
MICROLIEF EQUINE MICROCURRENT THERAPY
MENS - Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulator - Is the only electrical therapy that can penetrate the cell wall - aiding resolve soft tissue problems by re establishing normal cellular activity - MENS acts at cellular level.
H-WAVE/TENS/MICROCURRENT
The H-WAVE is an unique electrotherapy machine which combines muscular and neurological stimulation for the first time. H-WAVE generates a signal that is revolutionary in electrotherapy - a bipolar exponential decaying waveform - which enables deep penetration. Traditional equine electrotherapy has used either square or diamond waves. These are broken and can , even at quite moderate intensity levels, be uncomfortable for the horse. The H-WAVE intermittent wave, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable when applied and it encounters very little dermal resistance and no appreciable muscle fatigue.
Two modes of action
The H-WAVE can be applied in two ways - using 2Hz or 60Hz impulses - through special pads placed over and near the injury.
2Hz Muscle Pump - The 2Hz 'therapeutic' mode creates visible muscular contractions which increase the flow of oxygenated blood and stimulate lymphatic drainage through an injury site. The dramatic increase in blood and lymph flow accelerates the removal of pain producing chemicals and toxins which build up around an injury - thus reducing pain. The lymphatic system can then operate more efficiently which in turn assists the removal of oedema and stimulation of the healing process.
The H-WAVE moves all muscle groups comfortably and with no muscle fatigue to the animal being treated.
60Hz Analgesia - The 60Hz pain relief mode produces a different therapeutic effect - that of deep analgesia. This is
achieved by shutting down the transmission of pain signals and is also believed to stimulate the production of the horses own pain-producing chemicals, endorphins and encephalins. In acutely painful conditions, H-WAVE on 60Hz may be applied to reduce the pain and thereby the 'vicious cycle of pain' before proceeding with the muscle pump. If discomfort persists after the muscle pump 60Hz can be used to improve equine comfort.
The H-WAVE High frequency treatment is very effective for the immediate relief of pain. But it is low frequency therapeutic mode which provides the effective long-term relief from any soft-tissue problem.
Tying up - Electrical stimulation can be used as an adjunct to the normal treatment of tying up, or exertional rhabdomyolysis ( this is a term which means "dissolution of muscle" and refers to a condition in which myoglobin ( muscle protein ) appears in the urine after strenuous exercise. Horses exhibit this painful condition after racing, hard work,early stages of basic training and times of stress. A decrease in muscle bloodflow caused by muscle spasm prevents the removal of lactic acid and painful cramping results. Massaging the muscles with low intensity electrical stimulation aids in the removal of lactic acid and other waste products of exertion,reducing soreness and can help reoccurence of syndrome the following day combined with veterinary treatment.
TENS
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. It is a therapy that uses low voltage electric current for pain relief.
The difference between TENS and EMS, TENS stimulates the nerves - this stimulation blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. EMS mimicks the action potential that comes from the central nervous system causing the muscles to contract. But both deliver low voltage electric impulses to stimulate.
MICROLIEF EQUINE MICROCURRENT THERAPY
MENS - Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulator - Is the only electrical therapy that can penetrate the cell wall - aiding resolve soft tissue problems by re establishing normal cellular activity - MENS acts at cellular level.
THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND
Therapeutic Ultrasound differs from diagnostic Ultrasound. Diagnostic obtains information without intentionally producing a biological effect, whereas therapeutic ultrasound does. The frequency for the diagnostic unit is from 1 megahertz ( 1 million cycles per second ) to 10MHZ. The therapeutic Ultrasound units range from 0.8MHZ to 3MHZ. 1MHZ is ideal for sound absorption in body tissues.
Ultrasound is used in physiotherapy for the treatment of a variety of conditions e.g soft tissue injury and inflammation, circulatory disorders and stimulation of tissue repair. It penetrates deeply enough to reach damaged tissues. it warms up tissues without warming the skin and can cause a temperature rise of 5 degrees or over to a depth of 5
centimetres.
Ultrasound waves are pressure waves of mechanical energy moving in a straight line from the source. There is very little divergence, giving more power to penetrate tissues. A soundwave is one cycle of compression and rarefraction. Particle density is the greatest during compression phase and less dense during refraction phase. Compression waves move along in a row as the waves move deeper into tissue, like a 'slinky toy'. They differ from electromagnetic waves which are up and down and can
be transmitted through space. Ultrasound waves are longitudinal waves that consist of to and fro movement of particles and require some medium to travel through - gel.
Therapeutic Ultrasound differs from diagnostic Ultrasound. Diagnostic obtains information without intentionally producing a biological effect, whereas therapeutic ultrasound does. The frequency for the diagnostic unit is from 1 megahertz ( 1 million cycles per second ) to 10MHZ. The therapeutic Ultrasound units range from 0.8MHZ to 3MHZ. 1MHZ is ideal for sound absorption in body tissues.
Ultrasound is used in physiotherapy for the treatment of a variety of conditions e.g soft tissue injury and inflammation, circulatory disorders and stimulation of tissue repair. It penetrates deeply enough to reach damaged tissues. it warms up tissues without warming the skin and can cause a temperature rise of 5 degrees or over to a depth of 5
centimetres.
Ultrasound waves are pressure waves of mechanical energy moving in a straight line from the source. There is very little divergence, giving more power to penetrate tissues. A soundwave is one cycle of compression and rarefraction. Particle density is the greatest during compression phase and less dense during refraction phase. Compression waves move along in a row as the waves move deeper into tissue, like a 'slinky toy'. They differ from electromagnetic waves which are up and down and can
be transmitted through space. Ultrasound waves are longitudinal waves that consist of to and fro movement of particles and require some medium to travel through - gel.
K-LASER
What is Class 4 Laser Therapy?
Grainne is a Certified K-Laser Practitioner - the K-LASER is a Class 4 Dynamic therapy uses several pulse frequencies to produce a combination of analgesia, inflammation reduction, biostimulation and antimicrobial effects, thus accelerating the regeneration of tissues and increasing cellular energy. Cells are then able to thus absorb nutrients more quickly and eliminate waste substances. As a result of the exposition to laser light, the cells that constitute tendons, ligaments and muscles are repaired more quickly.
K-Laser Dynamic Therapy has anti-oedemic effects since it produces vasodilation while activating the lymphatic drainage system, which results in swelling reduction.
The Importance of Wavelength The wavelength of light not only determines colour in the visible spectrum, but also it's depth of penetration into the body system. In general, longer wavelengths allow energy to penetrate more deeply into the body than shorter wavelengths. Wavelengths also have different absorption efficiencies for particular body structures.
660 nmThis wavelength is well absorbed by the melanin contained within skin ensuring a high energy concentration within the superficial tissue layers. Laser therapy provides excellent results in wounds healing and scar tissue regulation as the light both inhibits bacterial proliferation and increases cellular growth.
970nm Blood is the body's main transport system. It provides cells with oxygen required for metabolism and removes waste. The 970nm wavelength is well absorbed in allowing a large part of the energy delivered by the therapy to be is transformed into heat. The deep tissue layers are thus transformed into localised heat points that create temperature gradients at cellular level. They also boost local microcirculation thanks to the increase in oxygen provided to the cells.
The 905nm wavelength enables the peak absorption of light energy by haemoglobin, water, melanin and Cytochrome C oxidase. This results in more oxygen being available to cells and so speeds up the natural healing process.
800nm K-LASER research determined that enzymes absorbed best at 800nm. Cytochrome C oxidase is the terminal enzyme of the respiratory chain and determines how efficiently cells convert molecular oxygen into ATP. An ATP molecule is generated for each oxygen-reduction cycle accomplished. Photon absorption from laser therapy accelerates this cycle and so increases ATP production.
The Frequency of Laser Light Lasers can deliver their light energy either as a Continuous Wave (always on) or pulsed. The number of times the light is switched on or off each second is called the Frequency.
Different pulse frequencies elicit different physiological responses depending upon the anatomical part being treated (i.e. bone, soft tissue, and fat).
K-Laser provide an Intense Super Pulse (ISP) mode that deliver bursts of high peak power for a short period of time.
The greater the depth of the cells you are treating the more energy is needed to produce a therapeutic effect. By starting out with more energy at the skin surface treatment times are dramatically reduced compared with less powerful lasers.
What can K-Laser Therapy Treat? K-LASER class 4 therapy has been used by thousands of practices across the world to successfully treat a wide range of conditions and species.
Clinical results form the basis for K-LASER Dynamic Therapy in both physiotherapy and veterinarian rehabilitation, with very important protocols.
Anti-inflammatory - K-LASER produces an anti-oedema effect: in fact, it both promotes vasodilationand activates the lymphatic drainage system.
Analgesic - K-LASER positively affects pain receptors: it increases pain threshold while reducing the transmission of pain stimuli to the brain. Pain is reduced due to the anti-inflammatory and anti - oedema effect. Endorphin production are also triggered.
Improved Vascular Activity - K-LASER therapy significantly increases the formation of new capillaries, thus accelerating the healing process of damaged tissues, quickly healing wounds and reducing the damaged area.
Improvement of Nerve Function - K-LASER is used to treat nerve injuries such as traumatic or iatrogenic paresthesias, dysesthesias and anaesthesias using reference protocols.
Increase in Metabolic activity - K-LASER therapy increases the productionof specific enzymes for the transport of oxygen, thus facilitating the repair and the regeneration of damaged cells.
Improvement of Wounds of Soft Tissues - K-LASER therapy allows wounds, ulcers and mucositis to heal faster thanks to tissue biostimulation and consequent better wound healing.
PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY
BIOMAG 2 THERAPY UNIT
Internationally recognised Chartered Scientist and Clinical Engineer, Dr David Somerville, who incorporated the features to match current scientific research findings on pulsed magnetic field therapy and phototherapy, designed the concept of the biomag system.
The Biomag can be used to treat a variety of conditions - Pain management, treatments for swellings, oedema and general bruising injuries, Sports Therapy( toning ), Orthopaedics - fractures.
The basis of all treatments have been designed using research findings from both human and veterinary studies. Pulsating fields induce small electric currents in the target tissue, which may result in increases of cellular potentials, which could have been lowered due to damage. Establishing near normal voltages may re-establish nutrient flows into and out of the cells to repair and regain normal function.
Metal impants do not affect or reduce the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic field therapy. Also any bandaging or plaster cast will not have any effect on a pulsating magnetic field applied through them and as such treatment can be given with these in situ.
Pulsed Magnetic therapy can be combined with phototherapy.
BIOMAG 2 THERAPY UNIT
Internationally recognised Chartered Scientist and Clinical Engineer, Dr David Somerville, who incorporated the features to match current scientific research findings on pulsed magnetic field therapy and phototherapy, designed the concept of the biomag system.
The Biomag can be used to treat a variety of conditions - Pain management, treatments for swellings, oedema and general bruising injuries, Sports Therapy( toning ), Orthopaedics - fractures.
The basis of all treatments have been designed using research findings from both human and veterinary studies. Pulsating fields induce small electric currents in the target tissue, which may result in increases of cellular potentials, which could have been lowered due to damage. Establishing near normal voltages may re-establish nutrient flows into and out of the cells to repair and regain normal function.
Metal impants do not affect or reduce the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic field therapy. Also any bandaging or plaster cast will not have any effect on a pulsating magnetic field applied through them and as such treatment can be given with these in situ.
Pulsed Magnetic therapy can be combined with phototherapy.
SUREFOOT STABILITY PADS
What are Equine SUREFOOT Pads?
SUREFOOT Pads are Equine Stability Pads. They can help a horse improve his own balance, posture, stance, movement, balance and behaviour. They can benefit a horse pre/post exercise, during a training session to improve/enhance performance, recovery from injury while stall bound or in limited movement reset proprioceptors to re-establish normal patterns of movement.
The Official SUREFOOT Stability Pad was launched in January 2016 after 2 years in development. Grainne completed the SUREFOOT Practitioner Program run by IRVAP at Newmarket Horseracing Museum and Retraining of Racehorses Centre in Palace House.
The Pads have 4 different densities and 2 basic designs – rectangular and angled. Each Pad is 25cmX30cmX5cm providing sufficient area for horse’s hooves and thickness to absorb horses weight. The variation in density provides the horse with different sensations and responses. Each pad also has too different surfaces each side (except the impression pad) – the coloured surface distributes the horses weight while the direct surface will give wherever hoof makes contact with the pads.
The Impression Pad retains the imprint of the horses hoof for a period of time so the therapist can see how the horse is weight bearing on the different hoof structures ( Interestingly there has been no differences in responses between barefoot or shod horses).
REHABILITATION - LONGREINING/POLEWORK/PRESCRIPTIVE EXERCISES