FAQs

What Is An ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist?

Physiotherapy is an established healthcare profession having been in existence for over 100 years. Animal physiotherapy has been recognised for over 25 years and now has formal professional qualification routes. Our training route means we are qualified to treat human patients first before we continue our further postgraduate study with animals. This means your animal is being assessed and treated by Chartered Physiotherapists who are governed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. In addition we are also regulated by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy – ACPAT. This is the gold standard for animal physiotherapy.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Me Or My Animals?

Common complaints treated by Chartered Physiotherapists in Human and Animal musculoskeletal therapy include:

- Spinal problems : Such as disc disease

- Joint problems : Osteoarthritis (OA), Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), swelling, pain, stiffness

- Post surgical rehab : Orthopaedic or neurological

- Sports injuries : Injuries to muscle, ligaments and tendons

- Poor performance issues

Also routine maintenance checks to keep your animal in peak fitness.

What Treatments And Techniques Do You Offer?

Manual hands on treatments such as Spinal and Joint Mobilisation, Muscle Reflex Reciprocal Inhibition (Ellis) Technique, Soft tissue Mobilisation, Trigger Point and Myofascial Release work, Stretches and Neuromuscular Facilitation is obviously a large part of my work as a Physiotherapist, with the purpose to restore and maintain mobility, function, independence and performance of both small and large animals.

I also have the following Electrotherapy Modalities which can be used as an adjunct to hands on treatment :

- Ultrasound, which has been proved to be effective in tendon and ligament injuries to accelerate / improve healing, as well as on general soft tissue injuries

- Low level light laser (Class IIIB) again for tissue healing but also for pain relief, trigger points, soft tissue injuries, and especially on open wound healing.

I am also equipped with Neuro-muscular Electrical stimulators (NMES) that are used to assess muscle activity and can affect and assist in muscle strengthening pre and post operatively. As well as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS): a pain relieving modality that works by stimulating the sensory nerves and has a pain gating effect at spinal cord level, stimulating the release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain killer). It is particularly effective for chronic conditions. As for all electrotherapies, it is non-invasive. In addition it is versatile regarding location of pain and easy to administer for the owner. I also pair this treatment with homework (Home Exercise Programmes).

I actively encourage clients to help themselves with home exercise programmes and encourage owners to be involved in the care and rehabilitation of their animals with exercise programmes such as core stability, strength, stretches, balance / proprioception coordination and active gait rehabilitation.

All Visits and above Techniques aim to accelerate the healing process, aid pain relief, and improve movement, balance and performance, and to help identify and prevent injury before it happens or becomes chronic.

Do I Require My Vet's Written Consent? Yes and No !

As an ACPAT and RAMP Member I adhere to a strict code of Professional Conduct and the relevant legislation.

Rules have however changed re requiring Veterinary consent for my visits.

If your animal is suffering from an active disease or injury, I MUST BY LAW, seek Veterinary permission before I can attend, assess and treat and this also ensures I am covered by my insurance company.

However should the visit be for:

Care and maintenance for the well being and mobility in a healthy animal

Care to improve function and competitive performance in a healthy animal

These visits DO NOT require Veterinary permission

Having discussed your requirements I will complete a Veterinarian Authorisation form if required with all the relevant details I will then submit a form to your Veterinary Practice for signature.

I always maintain open communication lines with your Vets should I have concerns or if an animal is presented with an injury or condition that might need attention from a veterinary surgeon, then I will then refer to the Vets for such attention as it needs. Even in cases of doubt, expert veterinary attention should be sought. Only a veterinary surgeon can diagnose a disease or condition in an animal and prescribe the necessary treatment.

http://cept.org.uk/legal-3/

How Long Is An Initial Appointment?

Between an hour and an hour and a half.

What Do I Expect At A First Appointment?

There is some paperwork to complete with you on site such as your signed consent and then we will complete a full detailed History about your animal, its problem (if any), use, workload, feed, farrier, dentist, saddler (if equine client!) etc. We will then complete a full physical Objective Examination which will include looking at your animal moving in hand, possibly on the lunge and under saddle as appropriate, or on the lead in the case of canines. I will then complete a palpatory assessment of the muscles looking for any areas of discomfort, I will look at range of motion of the neck, back and legs. I will discuss with you my findings, before performing any treatment techniques and will then treat as appropriate at the time.

Any treatment is specific to your animals individual problems. The treatments will be adapted to how your horse responds to treatment and how he improves. You will be able to see a clear difference in the palpation after treatment.

If there are any areas of concern I will communicate with your Vet immediately. As appropriate I will also liaise with other professionals such as veterinary nurses, farriers, saddlers, behaviourists, trainers and of course, yourself the owner

Is Physiotherapy Covered By My Animals Insurance Policy?

Most pet insurers cover physiotherapy treatment undertaken by an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist.

You should check with your insurance company directly prior to starting treatment to ensure that costs will be met. This Information is often in the section of Complementary Therapy. I do however request that you settle my invoices directly and claim back after, and I am happy to complete any necessary forms required.

What Are Your Costs And Services?

I provide highly qualified physiotherapy intervention at competitive prices. However I am a small business therefore ask that fees are paid at the end of each treatment. Prices include any time spent liaising with other professionals (e.g. vet, farrier, Instructor, GP, Consultant) and any documentation.

I have not raised my fees since 2021 but from the 1st April 2024 my charges will be:

First Assessment and Treatment: £58

Check-up / Follow-up Appointment (only if already been assessed previously): £50

All prices are EXCLUDING travel which is charged according to mileage at 55p per mile

Is Michele Brooker Physiotherapy Fully Insured?

Yes, I hold a comprehensive Insurance Policy through James Hallums for my Animal work, which along with the Insurance Cover I have with my Membership of the Chartered Society Of Physiotherapy, covers me with Full public and Professional malpractice indemnity. All Chartered Physiotherapists abide by the standards for fitness to practise set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Code of Professional Values & Behaviour set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Do You Keep Up To Date With Further Training?

Yes, as a Member of the CSP, ACPAT and RAMP I have a legal obligation to Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to complete a MINIMUM of 25 hours. Every year I attend Courses, Conferences, Seminars, Regional Training Sessions, as well as reading Research to keep myself up to date on current Practice. I also have educational links with the Royal Veterinary College (University of London). In addition, we are subject to a random annual audit process to ensure we adhere to the highest standards of health and safety, record keeping, professionalism and competency. All members maintain full public and professional malpractice indemnity.