Barbara - Galen West Norfolk

Barbara - Galen West Norfolk I am a Galen Myotherapist, I treat dogs with muscular issues arising from injury, Arthritis, Hip Dysplaysia etc. Veterinary Consent is Required

Galen Myotherapy works on the dogs muscular system where issues are an extremely common and underestimated cause of pain. These issues can manifest themselves in many different ways. The pain can cause stress that will have a negative effect on how the dog functions both physically and psychologically. Galen Myotherapy promotes muscle function. This is achieved through easing congestions within th

e fibres, caused through injury, compensatory or repetitive strain issues. Injury and muscle fibre damage can cause a shortening within the muscle which will cause stress over the joints they move. By easing tension and increasing muscle length, joint function is improved and optimum 'range of movement' is achieved. This results in improved mobility, performance and a reduction in pain perception.

23/12/2025

Galen Myotherapy Holiday Guide: Supporting Canine Movement and Myofascial Health

As dogs age, their mobility, endurance, and cognitive function change. Visiting family members may unintentionally overestimate their capabilities, increasing risk of strain or discomfort.

Educate visitors and modify interactions to align with your dog’s current physical abilities, ensuring safety and wellbeing.

For example, making sure your dog is not encouraged to jump on and off the sofa, or into and out of the car, especially if you usually lift them up and down.

22/12/2025

Galen Myotherapy Holiday Guide: Supporting Canine Movement and Myofascial Health
During the holidays, it's tempting to enjoy the extra time by taking your dog on an extended walk. However, when considering myofascial health, remember that longer doesn't always mean better.

A significant increase in distance, especially without proper conditioning, can lead to increased fatigue, overload tissues, and encourage compensatory movement patterns.

Focus on the quality of movement over the distance covered. Shorter, more “sniffy” walks that maintain good posture and rhythm often support myofascial health much better than occasional, lengthy excursions.

👉Don’t forget to share pictures of your favourite walks with us!

12/12/2025

Our Paws to Learn resource hub now features an invaluable new download:
The Galen Myotherapy Puppy Physical Development Programme

Discover key insights into puppy physical development and learn about safe exercise practices.

Adapted from Julia’s bestselling book ‘How to Build a Puppy... Into a Healthy Adult Dog’, don't miss the opportunity to download your copy 👇

https://galenmyotherapy.com/pawstolearn

08/12/2025

Remember when we mentioned “lazy bum” in our Tongue to Tail series?

We are going to find out how you can tell if your dog has a lack of gluteal activation?

Perhaps your dog struggles with the stairs (both going up and coming down).
They may no longer want to jump, or struggle to get onto the sofa.
Visually, their "bum" may appear less "rounded."
They might even be shifting their weight forward onto their front legs and shoulders.
By regularly observing your dog, from "Tongue to Tail," you can start to notice any changes and imbalances, allowing you to address them quickly.

If you would like to learn more, have a look at our Foundational Postural Analyst course 👉 https://galenmyotherapy.com/shop -courses

30/11/2025

In our last Tongue to Tail, we talked about how biomechanical imbalances in dogs can develop when the gluteal muscles aren’t engaging the way they should.
When the glutes are underactive, other structures—like the hamstrings, lumbar spine, and hip flexors—step in to compensate.
Over time, this creates dominant, overworked muscle groups and a body that has to work much harder to move comfortably.

The good news?
With proper assessment, treatment and exercise moderation, we can help restore balance and support comfortable, efficient movement.

If you would like to learn more, have a look at our Foundational Postural Analyst course 👉 https://galenmyotherapy.com/shop -courses

17/11/2025

Our 'Tongue to Tail' series continues with a focus on the hip flexor group, which includes the Iliopsoas, Re**us Femoris, Sartorius, and Tensor fasciae latae muscles.

These muscles are responsible for flexing the hip joint and bringing the thigh forward towards the abdomen, initiating the next stride once the leg is off the ground.

If you have noticed any discomfort when your dog extends their hip (perhaps they no longer stretch out their back legs like they used to); they have a shortened stride length or are lame; there could be a muscular imbalance, which is always worth investigating.

09/11/2025

In our previous Tongue to Tail post, we explored the significance of the anticlinal vertebrae—the "peak point" of your dog’s spine where the angle of the vertebrae changes direction.

Connecting to this crucial point, and extending to the femur and pelvis, is a powerful muscle group known as the Psoas Muscle (Iliopsoas group). This group plays a vital role in movement, enabling hip flexion and assisting dogs with sprinting, climbing, and leaping.

Why They Matter Together:

You might notice heat over your dog’s anticlinal region or observe a more "roached" posture. These signs can indicate a shortening of the iliopsoas muscle, often due to postural changes.

03/11/2025

The anticlinal vertebra is the point in your dog’s spine where the angle of the spinous processes (those bony bumps you can feel along the back) changes direction.

In dogs, this is usually found around T11 (the 11th thoracic vertebra).
Above this point, the spinous processes tilt backward, and below it, they tilt forward — forming a kind of “peak” or “hinge” in the spine!

It represents a zone of transition where spinal motion and stress distribution change, which can be relevant when we think about fitting harnesses on dogs.

Keeping our dogs healthy starts with understanding what makes their bodies unique, fromTongue to Tail!

26/10/2025

Let’s talk about the latissimus dorsi - a broad, powerful muscle running along the sides of the body from the lumbar region (lower back) to the upper front leg.

The “lats” are key players in shoulder retraction, and stabilising the trunk. But when they become tight or overworked — often from repetitive activities like ball chasing, digging or slipping on floors — they can restrict shoulder mobility and even affect movement patterns.

This is a very touch sensitive muscle, which relies on myofascial balance in your dog's body and is vital for their physical health of your dog - from Tongue to Tail.

23/10/2025

We’ve just released the new dates for our Foundational Postural Analyst (FPA) course and places are filling fast!

Starting Wednesday, 10 December, this course will provide a whole new perspective on the intricacies and impact of canine posture — helping you better understand loading, balance and symmetry.
👉 Enrol now: https://galenmyotherapy.com/shop -courses

21/10/2025

We’re excited to launch our brand-new “Paws to Learn” resource hub!
Created especially for dog guardians, this new online space brings together a wide range of resources to support canine comfort and wellbeing — including:

👉Insightful blogs
👉The Galen Comfort Scale
👉Downloadable PDFs to help you understand and support your dog’s muscular health

We’re passionate about sharing accessible, evidence-based information to help every dog live more comfortably.

We’d also love your input!
What topics or tools would you like to see in our upcoming free downloadable resources?

Explore Paws to Learn here 👉 https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/pawstolearn

20/10/2025

At Galen Myotherapy, for the last 20 years we’ve discussed the risks that slippery floors pose to our dogs’ musculoskeletal and myofascial health.
Repeated slipping can create micro traumas leading to compensatory patterns that affect posture and movement over time.

To help raise awareness, we’ve created a free, eye-catching, and informative PDF that highlights these risks — perfect for sharing or displaying in your practice and with clients.

Download it, share it, and help protect dogs from preventable injuries.
👉 https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/pawstolearn -floor-booklet

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