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Myofascial Release (MFR): Myofascial release generally addresses specific areas in the fascia. Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up. We can improve fascial damage through stretching and massage and fascial release. This can be done only by hand or using hand tools such as Gua Sha or fascial release guns. It is really the most important step before any massaging on the body takes place. Using hands, specific stretching, and certain hand held tool like gua sha or tuning forks, we can remove restrictions.
Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy (EMFT): Myo-manipulative means making changes to the muscle and functional therapy is defined as addressing dysfunctions in the body's ability to move optimally. These hands on therapies restore proper mobility, helps the body to function more effectively and realign itself, speeds up healing, decreases the chance of injury or re-injury.
Stretching Techniques: Stretching incorporated into the horse's daily routine is so important for a variety of reasons. It helps horses not only warm up but, cool down. It helps increase flexibility in the muscles, which can improve overall performance and release tension, tightness and pain. Stretching can also help gain mobility in areas you may be having dysfunction in. Short stride, hips not flexible, neck immobility and more. There are so many amazing techniques that can be used before, after or during a body work session. Stretching also becomes homework for horse and owner in between sessions
Massage Gun Therapy: The gun is a wonderful tool that not only allows the hands to rest during hands on therapies, but allows for a deeper trigger point and fascia release. By using multiple heads, it is designed for specific areas of the horses.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST): Craniosacral therapy or cranial osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine that uses gentle touch to feel non-existent rhythmic movements of the skull's bones and supposedly adjust the immovable joints of the skull to achieve a therapeutic result. CST frees motion that is restricted in the bones of the skull, the column of the vertebrae and the pelvis. This is done by manipulating the central nervous system so that we can restore the optimal pulse and restore balance. CST realigns the skeletal system and helps in relaxing the horse.
Vibrational Therapy (VT): this healing methods uses tuning forks, which uses sonic vibrations to stimulate qi. This encourages the body's energy to flow naturally. Striking a tuning fork, then holding it against an area that feels tense or painful stimulates the quick fire mechanoreceptors in the body to alleviate symptoms and encourage healing. they can also stimulate mental energy and heighten self-awareness, encouraging the body to realign itself, release myofascial tension and increase of circulation.
Kinesiology Taping (KT):
Equine kinesiology, or the study of horses' muscular movement, reveals surprising similarities between horse and human muscle action as well as similar problems with muscular tension. Kinesiology taping is a taping technique designed for use in both therapeutic (injury rehabilitation) and working athletic situations. K-Taping can help with a variety of issues such as, pressure relief, pain, circulation, supporting joint mobility, supporting muscle activity and improves proprioception. Results can be seen minutes after application.
Cupping Therapy: cupping targets sore muscles, improve circulation, and promotes relaxation to the horses. Cupping tends to drain excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions (tight fascia), revitalizes connective tissue, increases blood flow to skin and muscles, stimulates the peripheral nervous system, reduces pain and modulates the immune system.
All of these techniques are using in conjunction with each during a session unless I feel one would be more important at the time. This of course depends on the issues at hand. I firmly believe in listening to the horse with each modality.