Sofia Graham Veterinary Physiotherapist

30/01/2025

“This may sound stupid, but….”

I remember one of the first times someone said this to me. We’d been rehabbing her border collie, I honestly can’t remember what for, and at her second appointment, I asked how they’d been getting on since our first visit.

“This may sound stupid, but… she’s started being able to scratch her ear with her back foot again, she hasn’t done that in ages.”

Not stupid in the slightest. A valuable observation, an outcome measure that indicated the dog was progressing and feeling more comfortable and capable.

Since then my ears always prick up when I hear that phrase.

Its often accompanied by an astute observation, or valuable information.

Or its a phrase used by someone trying to learn something – which is never something that should be discouraged.

Never be afraid to ask what something means – you’re supposed to feel educated and empowered to cope with whatever issues we are addressing in a session.

Never be afraid to ask why – sometimes it isn’t clear why something will work, or why its relevant in a particular case. I always try to explain reasonings, but equally I’m always happy to elaborate. Compliance increases with understanding!

This is especially crucial with management changes and exercise programmes.
(This also applies to understanding why I might be telling you to avoid, or not do, something!)

I can be most effective in my treatments and plans when I have as much useful information as possible.

I believe a crucial part of my role is to educate.

Please, never feel afraid to tell me something you think is relevant, no matter how ‘stupid’.

Please, never feel afraid to ask a question you think might be ‘stupid’ – there’s no such thing. None of us are above learning, we all have blind spots somewhere!

20/01/2025

‘Blue Monday…? Nah, quite chilled after my physio today, thanks’

🥰

08/01/2025

It’s okay to take the pressure off, particularly at this time of year.

It’s cold, wet, dark, muddy…. I think this is easily the worst part of the year, and I’m sure I’m not the only one counting down the days until the clocks change again.

So here’s just a small reminder, that you don’t have to beat yourself up about what you’re not doing. As long as their needs are met, you don’t have to do all the extras right now.

If your horse is still getting a good amount of regular turnout, they shouldn’t lose all that much fitness.

You can keep their work ticking over decently with sessions 2-3 times a week – quality over quantity! These sessions can be in-hand too – short sessions of walking pole work can be so beneficial, just a few reps on each rein.

Or basic groundwork – walk/halt transitions, bending on both reins, etc. Do some loops around obstacles, let your horse approach and investigate something, like a jump filler that they’re not too keen on.

And if that is still too much – it can be really beneficial to have a break. Physically and mentally, for them and us. Be that for a week, or for the whole season, do what works best for you and yours.
Equally, if you’re in full work mode, and you thrive on that, good on you (…and please share your secrets!).

Obviously if you’re in rehab mode, and not just maintaining, this may need to look a little different. But in a lot of cases, it’s fine to take things a bit slower than planned, as most things are optimised to take as short a time as possible (because people want to see results quickly, of course). Just check in the relevant professional and they should be able to guide you through how best to adapt your plans.

Now just keep swimming…
🐠🐠

03/01/2025

I've been mentioning face-to-face for a while, but so it's out there properly, time for prices to go up.
I've kept prices steady as long as possible, but its been over 3 years since last time, so here we go.

I still believe this represents very good value for experience and time spent at appointments (no 20 minutes in-and-out here!).

Any appointments already in the diary will be at the current rate - I'll apply changes as of Monday 6th.

So if you've been thinking 'Oh I need to book in at some point', this weekend is a great time to do it!

21/12/2024

Really don’t think I could have ended the working year on a cuter pair if I’d tried! And we even had the sunshine for a few hours 💜

Thanks for all your support in 2024, it’s as appreciated as ever. Back to work on January 2nd, let’s see what 2025 brings 🐾

16/12/2024

A few weeks ago I spent another day on a course, this time focusing on the diaphragms (yes, multiple!). I really enjoyed the techniques we learned, and feel they’ve slotted straight in to how I like to work. Plenty of my clients will have heard me speak about the respiratory diaphragm before (can’t relax, or function properly, if you can’t breathe!), but this opened up more methods, and more detail.

Another angle to assess and use to influence change in the body 🥰

20/09/2024

Teamwork can work wonders!

This gorgeous boy, Logan, has come on leaps and bounds over the last few months, having undergone kissing spines surgery to shave some of the vertebrae bone, back in the early Spring with Lingfield Equine Vets

He has been having regular The Equine Touch International bodywork sessions with me from 6 weeks post surgery, to help him recover from the surgery, unwind past trauma and develop new healthier postural patterns in his body as well as a relaxed and happy mind.

His owner has been dedicated to an exercise program of gymnastic groundwork to build correct balance and movement all at his own pace, without force or exercise aids which has given him the time to rehabilitate properly.

He has had the depth of knowledge and support for his hoof care from Penny Thorpe Applied Equine Podiatrist which is so important to help him develop healthier neural pathways through his whole body.

And more recently, Sofia Graham Veterinary Physiotherapist has come onboard to bring even more depth of knowledge and an educated eye from a Physio’s perspective.

His owner has said he has never looked so well, he is holding his weight and looking in a great place to go into winter. He is a happier and more relaxed horse all over.

I honestly don’t think you could guess he had KS surgery if you didn’t know his story. He’s a trooper ❤️

28/08/2024

We often talk about coat changes and abnormal posture being signs of discomfort and compensation, but sometimes these things aren’t that obvious, until they’re not there any more…!

This little Westie has been struggling with pain from a left cruciate injury, and arthritis. Due to her age, we’re aiming for conservative management over surgery.

So she’s contracted her body in an attempt to shift her weight forwards off her hind legs. And you can see the ‘wave’ in the fur on her side, where the connective tissue over the ‘overactive’ muscles end up pulling on the follicles, hence the change in coat direction.

This is 6 weeks of regular physio, including bodywork, active work using some basic equipment at home, laser therapy, and daily homework for the owner, alongside hydrotherapy and appropriate pain management.

Her posture has lengthened, where she doesn’t need to compensate so much, and those muscles on her side have got a much better resting tone. She’s also not flopping into a sit at every available opportunity, choosing instead to stand, because she comfortably can. And her stamina has significantly increased.

You definitely can teach an old dog new ‘tricks’, and markedly improve their levels of comfort and quality of life 💜

18/08/2024

Have you ever wondered about what a veterinary physiotherapist does?

Or do you even know we exist?
(When I meet someone new, and they ask 'so what do you do?', I'm still regularly met with 'Oh, I've never heard of that before')

There are many variations of titles - Veterinary/animal/equine/canine etc physiotherapist
Musculoskeletal therapist
Vet rehabber
Bodyworker

And so on... depending on qualifications and preferences.

But we're all aiming to help restore, maintain or improve our animals' musculoskeletal health.

This might be post-op rehab, looking after our golden-oldies and keeping them comfortable, or enhancing the performance of competing animals in a wide variety of disciplines.

We'll use a variety of hands-on techniques, electrotherapies, exercises during the session and for you to continue afterwards, and management guidance specific to your circumstances.

There's always an 'ideal protocol'. And real life is often very different.

We can help merge these circles as much as possible. We can explain why certain things have been recommended, and why you've been told to avoid others. We can guide you with where you can push things, and where you need to pull back.

It's about giving YOU as much knowledge and context as possible, to help your animals as much as you can.

So if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed being told that your dog has arthritis, or needs a hip-replacement, or that your horse has back pain, or needs steroid injections, please know that there is more support out there.

13/08/2024

Although I always say I’ll never complain about the heat, (we don’t have it enough, and I hate being cold!) days like yesterday can definitely test the limits.

I was pleasantly relieved when I turned up to my first visit of the day to find a few fans pointing our way!

Saffy definitely enjoyed a post-physio doze with the fan on her face 💜

25/07/2024

Teamwork and delegation are great things 🥰

10/07/2024

Nothing better than someone enjoying their session 💜

Some make it clearer than others if they’re enjoying themselves. Rocky usually has a good time, but he really made it obvious this time that it was the right spot. 😁