McTimoney Therapy

The McTimoney approach to manipulation is a non-invasive gentle physical therapy that works to realign and balance the animal's musculoskeletal system, restoring health, movement, soundness and performance.  John McTimoney developed this approach in the 1950s, modifying his human adjusting technique to apply specifically to animals.  The treatment is carried out by hand which most animals accept readily and it is a safe and effective treatment.

During McTimoney treatment the spine, pelvis and other relevant joints are examined for any misalignments and spasm in the associated muscles.  The problem areas are then treated with very precise and rapid adjustments which correct the misalignments, restore full range of joint motion and relieve muscle spasm.

Aftercare usually involves rest and/or limited exercise for a few days.  The animals may require several treatments depending on the nature of its injury, and it is recommended that animals receive regular check-ups to help maintain optimum performance and health as a preventative measure.

The treatment is holistic meaning the practitioner will assess the entire animal and its lifestyle in order to identify the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms.  McTimoney treatment can help relieve an animal's pain and restore movement after they have injured themselves.  In the vast majority of cases McTimoney practitioners see animals that have suffered an injury due to a trauma such as an accident, fall, bump or collision.  However, problems can also be caused due to issues such as excess weight and confirmation defects in dogs for example, or saddle fitting issues, incorrect foot balance or rider imbalance in the case of horses.  More information on when to seek help can be found on When is a treatment needed?.