Palpation

Our hands are our most useful tool! Our hands connect us to our patients, to both assess and treat. The skill of palpation builds up over time and hundreds of patients – learning what is within normal limits for the age, type and training status of each animal, detecting changes in tissue structure and understanding how these changes relate to pathology and function. Manual assessment of the horse includes palpation of all tissue types (tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, fascia and joint capsules), assessing passive joint range of motion, spinal assessment and performing specific assessments of myotatic reflex responses, eg across the spinal muscles, sacroiliac tilts and abdominal lifts.

Lorna has been palpating horses’ bodies and limbs as a qualified veterinary surgeon for 14 years. Whilst Lorna only offers veterinary physiotherapy services through Equilibre (full veterinary services are offered through her employment with Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons), Equilibre clients benefit from her extensive experience and veterinary knowledge during this assessment process – the knowledge gained from her two professional streams cannot be separated. Where pathology is identified beyond the scope of a physiotherapy session, Lorna will liaise directly with your own veterinary surgeon, continue the investigations herself within the framework of a Rossdales ambulatory lameness work up (using nerve bocks and imaging modalities where appropriate), or refer to her colleagues at Rossdales Diagnostic Centre for more advanced procedures.

***Equilibre*** Bespoke equine veterinary physiotherapy from a qualified veterinary surgeon and veterinary physiotherapist. Promoting movement through freedom and balance.

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