Horse and Hound Bodywork

Services

I offer a number of different therapies including myo-fascial release and structural integration, craniosacral therapy, cold laser and energy work.These are used separately or in combination, depending on the needs of the client. I firmly believe that the therapies in combination have a more lasting effect on the client both physically and emotionally.

Each animal is treated as a unique individual, requiring their own specific treatment plan. Treatments are safe, gentle and holistic, taking into account the whole body.

I begin by taking a history, watching the client move, a physical exam including palpation and checking the energy centers, giving some feedback and then discussion of a treatment plan. The session ends with watching the client move again and suggestions for training, exercises and stretches.

A more detailed description of each therapy is offered below.

Myo-fascial Release
Myofascial release is a very effective hands-on technique, that provides sustained pressure or stretching into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.
Fascia is the organ of form uniting every part of the body. It surrounds every bone, muscle, muscle fibre, nerve, organ etc. Healthy superficial fascia stretches and adjusts to strains. Deep fascia in a healthy body allows structures to slide over one another. However, following trauma, these layers can thicken, dehydrate and stick together, causing adhesions. Stresses occur through physical trauma such as:
Equine
- kicks and falls,
- a jump taken awkwardly,
- inflammation,
- unbalanced riders,
- poorly fitting tack
- the repetitive stress of training regimens.
Canine
- falls
- inflammation
- spinal and joint problems
- surgery
Thickening of the fascia can lead to restrictions in blood flow and around the nerves, as well as restriction of movement resulting in loss of range of motion. The longer this continues the more the animal will adapt to this new restricted way of going. As one area adapts, so surrounding areas also have to adapt leading to stresses in other muscles as well as joints. Using myofascial release techniques Jenny works with the fascia to rehydrate, release adhesions and restrictions and correct range of motion.
The immediate effects of this work are usually:
- muscular relaxation and relief from pain
- improved blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
- muscles become more rounded as session progresses due to release of restrictions and re-hydration.
- Improved range of motion
- Structural change
Craniosacral therapy
'Craniosacral therapy uses information from the body to guide us in the process of balance and healing. The craniosacral system has a deeper more overall effect because the system has such depth. It is the home of the central nervous system and the anatomical core of the body.'
E. Bailey Tune, L.M.T.
The animal's craniosacral system includes its cranium, spinal column and sacrum. The spinal fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord nourishes, protects and lubricates them. The CranioSacral Therapist, using a hands-on method, feels for imbalances and restrictions of the movement of the spinal fluid. Any restrictions or imbalances in the system may affect any or all aspects of the central nervous system. Restrictions can stem from imbalanced bones, scar tissues, tightness in muscles or soft tissue, calcifications etc. CranioSacral Therapy will assist in removing these restrictions, provide and restore balance and smoothness.
For instance, if a horse had a blow to the head, had a trailer wreck or a pull back accident, the intricate system of cranial bones is very likely to get out of balance.

CST assists animals with:
- Traumatic injuries
- spinal dysfunctions
- TMJ Syndrome
- post-operative rehabilitation
- emotional problems
- headaches
COLD LASER
I have recently added the Respond 2400XL Cold Laser to my treatment protocol. Cold Laser is proving useful in the treatment of:
- Inflammation - reduces swelling
- Analgesic - laser therapy has well documented analgesic effect.
- Accelerated tissue repair and cell growth- as a result of exposure to laser light, the cells of tendons, ligaments and muscles repair faster.
- Improved vascular activity- increases the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue that speeds up the healing process, closes wound quickly and reduces scar tissue.
- Trigger points and acupuncture points- stimulates muscle trigger points and acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeltal pain relief.
- Reduces fibrous tissue formation.
- Improved nerve function- slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and imaired limbs. Laser light will speed up the process of nerve reconnection.
- Faster wound healing.
The laser is useful in the treatment of sore backs, arthritis, sole bruising and laminitis.
Healing Touch for Animals^®
Healing Touch for Animals^®uses bio-field therapies – recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – to integrate, balance and clear the energy body.
Energy-medicine treatment (bio-field therapy)initiates:
- relaxation to the body
- releases endorphins.
- relaxes muscles.
- increases circulation.
- elevates oxygen levels.
- nutrients are absorbed more efficiently.
- Enzymes build for proper digestion.
- Hormones regulate to strengthen the body's constitution.
- Toxins release.
- Healthy cells begins to regenerate.
- A sense of well-being is established which promotes healing.
When the body has a stable physiology, the immune system is regulated. The resulting stability affects the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual facets of the body's energy field supporting self-healing.

HTA Assists Animals With:
- Health Issues
- Accidents and Injuries
- Pain Control
- Disease Prevention
- Cancer
- Behavioral Issues
- Anxiety Reduction
- Separation Issues
- Euthanasia Support
- Stabilizes Training
- Competition Performance
- Better Connection with Our Animals
HTA techniques are largely based on Healing Touch for Humans. The energy-based modality of Healing Touch has been recognized throughout the human medical community since 1989 and is used by more than 75,000 healthcare practitioners worldwide to help provide whole body wellness.
Reiki
Reiki is usually translated as "universal life energy". It is a holistic healing system and has been proven to alleviate pain and speed healing. Reiki is gentle and non-invasive and animals respond well to it.
Reiki assists animals with:
- aggression and behavioural issues
- abuse or trauma
- easing effects of long and short term pain
- releasing and healing emotions
- reducing stress and anxiety
- easeing transition from life to death
Reiki is a compliment to conventional treatment during illness and because it goes to the source of the problem and heals at a level that the individual is open to receive, it allows the animal to be a partner in healing rather than just a recipient.
Remote sessions
Remote sessions are for those animals that live too far away. An initial phone call is necessary to gather a history on the animal and set a time. The animal should be in a quiet place with few distractions, you need not be there although it may be interesting to observe. A follow up e-mail or phone call will discuss findings. The therapies used in these sessions are Craniosacral, Reiki and Healing Touch for Animals protocols.

'A living organism is dynamic

and fluid with all

components in instant and

constant communication.'

Ervin Lazlo

This mare sweated up on her left scapula as the muscle released. I was working elsewhere on her body!! Fascia connects everything in the body.

Presentation of horse at beginning of the first session. Note the 'camped out' posture of the legs.

By constantly stepping back and reassessing the changes occurring in the horse and adapting the work...

The end of the first session. The horse chooses a more square stance. Note the relaxation and increased length in the neck. The body has found more balance over all four legs. With the hind legs supporting the hindend, the lumbar can soften and release.
The combination of therapies structurally changes the horse.

'CST restores the movement of body fluids to areas traumatized by surgical procedures, which enhances the healing process and holds potential for reducing the formation of adhesions and scar tissue. CST also helps remove residual toxicity of anesthetics and pain medications’
John Upledger DO, OMM, CranioSacral Therapy.

Both Craniosacral Therapy and Healing Touch for Animals will induce relaxation in the horse, as they appear to turn inward and digest the changes occurring.

Typical release response.

'The communicative power of touch is often as important as its restorative effects.'

Rocky comes and finds Jenny in the barn when he needs work.

Amber presented with heat in her shoulder. Energy work resulted in a release, and Amber "ran home from the barn with a wonderful show dog trot" according to the owner.

Jenny working on equine client.

Please contact Jenny with any further questions:

303-478-7439

jenny@horsehoundbodywork.com

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Horse and Hound Bodywork

Services

Myo-fascial Release

Craniosacral therapy

COLD LASER

Healing Touch for Animals®

Reiki

Remote sessions

Healing Touch for Animals^®