Before any examination and treatment can commence, veterinary consent is required. This does not always mean a trip to or visit by the vet, but will require me to contact your vet to discuss your animal. This is required by law, and is in place to safeguard you and your animals. The majority of vets are aware of the benefits of McTimoney manipulation and are happy to give their permission for the animal to be treated.

The consultation has several aspects:

1. The Record Card
You will be asked to give details of the symptoms that your animal is displaying, and any previous accidents, injuries and illness for a record card. I will also assess aspects of the animal's lifestyle and conformation, which may affect the prognosis. This will help to build a picture of the animal, and allow for appropriate treatment methods to be used.

2. Biomechanical assessment
Your animal may be assessed in motion, at both walk and trot, and on tight circles to assess for gait abnormalities, asymmetries and stiffness. This will give a picture of how the animal uses its body, and will help to pin point potential problem area.

3. Palpation
The musculoskeletal system will be palpated or 'felt' by hand to assess for changes in muscle tone and skeletal misalignments, indicating that individual joints may not be moving through their optimum range of motion.

4. The Treatment
Once the animal has been thoroughly assessed the treatment can begin. McTimoney therapy uses very precise, high speed thrusts directed at a misaligned bone. The effect of this treatment is to contract the muscles, which are in spasm and holding the bone in a misaligned position. When the spasmodic muscles relax, the joint returns to optimum mobility, and the vertebrae rotate to their natural position.

5. Aftercare
Advise is given to you as owners, which will help to prevent reoccurrence of muscle spasm and may help to prevent more serious injuries in the future. Small changes in your animal's lifestyle may need to be made to help them stay as fit and active as possible.