Restoring health in animals with osteopathy

ADVERTORIAL Restoring health in animals with osteopathy

Jane Clothier, Equine Bodyworker

Interest in treating animals with osteopathy has grown considerably in recent years, with an unprecedented number of postgraduate and lay programs in musculoskeletal therapies emerging in online programs. As a global leader in animal osteopathic education, the London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO) has recently launched one of the highest levels of training currently available, providing osteopaths with the opportunity to expand their career through work with animals. The rapid uptake of the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy by veterinarians, osteopaths and animal bodyworkers has demonstrated that this kind of accessible learning for animal osteopathy is in high demand.

The International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy, with optional equine and canine streams, has grown from the lifelong work of the LCAO’s founder, Stuart McGregor, DO. Stuart’s interest in treating animals was already showing itself when he graduated from the UK’s European School of Osteopathy in 1984, with his dissertation The Principles of Osteopathy Applied to the Horse being the first known work about osteopathy for horses. His long-term aim was to find a way to use osteopathic techniques to work with and benefit animals, and he achieved that sooner than expected.

On graduation, he immediately began treating horses and dogs, and it was not long before his Osteopathy Centre for Animals in Oxfordshire, England, was formed. Other osteopaths and veterinarians soon came across Stuart’s work and were keen to learn more. It made sense to start bringing his new and evolving techniques together in the equine and canine osteopathy programs that he has now been teaching since 1998 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Throughout this time, he has continued to refine both the approach and his methods of instruction, leading to the osteopathic articular balancing (see box on the left) training that he practices and teaches today.

LCAO founder, Stuart McGregor

What is osteopathic articular balancing?

Osteopathic articular balancing (OAB) is a general osteopathic treatment that is deeply rooted in classical osteopathy and the philosophies of Andrew Still. It gently disrupts the body’s state of dysfunction and restores integration, and thereby homeostatic state of health. This is achieved through functional techniques with slow, controlled, long lever moves, with the focus on quality of movement rather than range of motion.

Stuart says, “One of the main principles in osteopathic medicine is that treatment should restore health to the local tissues. This involves the restoration of blood supply, nerve supply and lymphatic drainage. Where any of these are absent, the tissues can only be in poor health.” In practice, OAB is a system of techniques that ease pain, remove tension and restriction, and restore full movement in every joint of the animal’s Find out more body. The therapist examines the functional anatomy of each joint and its The International Diploma in Animal accompanying structures, before mobilising associated bones. The direct and Osteopathy (Int’l DipAO) is available indirect relationships throughout the skeletal system are also considered, to Osteopathy Australia members with posture, gait assessment and palpation forming part of the assessment. www.animalosteopathycollege.com

Be part of something bigger.

There’s safety in numbers. And with safety comes confidence; the confidence to fly high and reach new heights, especially in your career. At Guild, we’ve dedicated the last 58 years to building a network of professionals to provide the support to help you reach those heights. We’ve partnered with Osteopathy Australia for over 19 years, working with them to grow the network that’s dedicated to protecting you and safeguarding the future of the osteopathy profession.

Whatever journey you decide to take, and whatever stage of your career you’re at, we’re here so that you don’t have to face challenges alone. We may not be front of mind, but we’ve got your back when you need us most. Because when you’re a part of Guild, you’re part of something bigger. Find out more and get a quote today by visiting guildne.ws/osteopath or calling 1800 810 213.