Matrix Alignment Therapy

Introduction

Therapists worldwide specialise in modalities that complement and enhance the traditional medical system to improve the symptoms and quality of life for their clients. It is now an accepted part of the veterinary system of treatment internationally and these modalities include acupuncture, osteopathic or chiropractic treatments, energy treatments and massage to just name a few. The International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing (IAATH) define energy work as “Therapies in which practitioners seek to restore proper circulation and a balance of energy field in and around the client’s body, to relieve stress and promote healing”. The modality of energy treatment is equivalent to Matrix Alignment Therapy as it also restores circulation throughout the animal’s body to promote healing and quality of life.

Overview
Our approach to caring for the animals that we are treating is that of a holistic nature, this is to ensure optimal health of the animal and correct functioning of the connective tissue and nervous system throughout the animal’s body to optimise mobility of the individual animal. We are of the belief that incorporating a number of tissue release techniques such as matrix alignment therapy and a stretching regimen that it is possible to reprogram the nervous system of the animal and give quality of life to that individual animal. Treatments in our view need to be via relatively gentle mechanical manipulation techniques and avoiding high velocity manipulation.

Animal's Response
During and after the treatment you could see your animal showing signs of responding to the individual treatment, these signs and the time frame of response does differ as each animal works through the changes in its body. The most common responses that you as the owner could see are: the eye lid starts to drop or close, the animal's breathing pattern could change so you see the entire rib cage moving not just the last few ribs, the tension in the muscles will change and you could see twitching as they release, their posture or stance will change. You could see (in horses specifically) things like dropping of the head, yarning, chewing, releasing of the tongue, lifting of the tail and differences in the way they stand and move.

What Can You Do?
You should give your animal at least the day off any type of work or in some cases up to 3 days off and monitor their response. If they show signs of improving, then you can start them back into work - (for horses) in a long and low walking gait (head about wither height) allowing them time to adjust to the changes. Only increase the workload as your animal can cope with it or as per advised treatment program for your animal. To ensure the best results please follow any instructions left with you by your consultant and, if follow up treatments are required, ensure you adhere to the timeframe recommended to achieve the best outcome for your animal.