Karen Ambrose Chiropractic

Investigation into the effects of McTimoney chiropractic treatment, Static Magnetic therapy and a combined treatment intervention on the Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold values in Thoroughbred Racehorses. - McTimoney Animal Association Support evidence of a positive effect of McTimoney Chiropractic and with the use of Magnetic rug(1000gauss) on the horses’ back muscle sensitivity to pain (increased MNTs) compared to no treatment intervention for 14 days Further research is required on the differences between the treatments on mu...

📣 Breaking news! You can now access support 24/7 by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option 2. This new single phone line simplifies access to vital help for people of all ages. Whether you're in crisis or concerned about a loved one, trained professionals are ready to guide you to the right support. At Oxfordshire Mind, we're encouraged by this step forward in making mental health care more accessible, though we recognise the challenges the NHS faces and this by no means reduces the long waiting lists. Together, we can work towards ensuring everyone gets the help they need when they need it most. 💙

Horses are smart enough to plan and strategise, new study shows It's hoped the findings lead to more humane horse training regimes and improvements to welfare.

THIS ⬇️ is why I might suggest changing your dog’s harness and why I recommend certain harnesses.

I’ve often compared H-type harnesses that cross the chest to girls wearing tight, on-the-knee pencil skirts (it changes how you walk, get in/out of a car, go up and down stairs etc and this has a negative impact on your joints and tendons) but this visual of a band around your arms, chest and back really highlights the problem in a better way.

Imagine how uncomfortable, disconcerting and frustrating this would be and all the things that would be impacted - you wouldn’t be able to drink, eat, greet people properly; take a photo or answer a call; getting in and out of the car would be hard. Walking would be harder as we use our arms to help us walk and balance. Would you look forward to walks if you had to wear this band every time?

Yes, I will always recommend a harness over a collar but it must be the RIGHT harness....

Always choose a Y-Shape Harness that doesn't impinge any shoulder movement or rub around the underarm. I love a Perfect Fit or T-Touch but dogs come in different shapes and sizes so you need to find the right harness for YOUR dog.

Walking backwards - rein back - step back

This has always been an exercise I recommend and a recent article has used 3D motion capture to explore back and pelvis motion during the movement - Jobst, Zsoldos and Licka, 2024

'A significantly larger maximum and a greater ROM was reached between the withers, thoracic region and sacrum (labelled D-angWmT16S2) in Backwards Walking compared to Forwards walking, indicating a lifting of the back, an effect necessary to facilitate strengthening of the horse’s core and therefore often desired in equine physiotherapy and in equestrian sports (Clayton, 2016; Shakeshaft & Tabor, 2020)'

A few steps backwards - Unmount SD Cardnted - as part of groundwork and before mounting are a really good idea to mobilise your horse's back.

Link to article:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023324001412?via%3Dihub

Choosing a chair

There are no bad chairs – only the wrong chair in the wrong place at the wrong time. And how often do you find yourself sitting in the wrong chair, in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Many people hope that by choosing the right chair – in the office, in the kitchen, in the sitting room – they can avoid back pain. Prevention is better than cure, so it is important to think about what you need, when choosing a chair. Especially if it’s one you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting in.

A good chair should have the following features:
When you’re sitting in it, your thighs should be at right angles to your body or your knees slightly lower than your hips. There should be a small gap between the front of the seat and the back of your knees. This will help you to maintain the natural curve in your lower back and supports your thighs, while giving your legs space to move.

It allows you to have your feet firmly on the ground. You might need a foot rest to do this. The basic rule is plant your feet on the floor and support your back.

It has an adjustable seat and back, both in height and tilt.

It allows you to do what you need to, like writing, reading or computer work without forcing you into an awkward position.

Whatever chair you use, it is important to get up and move around – change your position regularly. Staying active is a key part to preventing and managing back pain. Do this about every 20 minutes as spending long periods of time in the same position can cause a lot of discomfort. It’s a great excuse to get another cup of coffee, or go to chat to one of your work colleagues for the latest gossip.
This advice has come from www.backcare.org.uk

[email protected].
Karen Ambrose Chiropractic
Harwell Innovation Centre
OX11 0QG
07734 872318

Summer heat - horses and dog hair! - AskAnimalweb The effect of hair on heat loss With the promise of summer finally arriving in the UK early next week, we’ll be posting regularly with advice about how to keep your animals safe and comfortable in the hot weather, but in the meantime, you can check out all this information as a FREE RESOURCE here...

NEW HAY COULD BE HIGH IN CALORIES & SUGAR!

As we go from last year's late-cut hay (a load of hay was cut in the UK in that sunny spell in September) to this year's hay cut in May/early June, this could deliver a significant increase in calories and in sugar and fructan (water soluble carbs / WSC) to our horses and ponies.

In order to feed enough of a moderate to high calorie/WSC hay, it may need to be soaked. If not, in order to maintain a healthy bodyweight (and healthy insulin levels in ID (insulin-dysregulated) affected horses and ponies) it would need to be restricted too much for gut and psychological health.

Soaking research studies have shown variable losses depending on the composition of the hay (including fibre, maturity, sugar, fructan), volume of water, temperature of water therefore my guidance is to:

SOAK FOR THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO KEEP YOUR HORSE HEALTHY (AND SLIM) WITHOUT RESTRICTING TO AN UNHEALTHY AMOUNT

Rather than sticking to a set number of hours of soaking.

(Some tips for soaking are: max 12 hours, out of the sun, make sure it is not going off, fresh water each time, in as big a volume of water as poss).
🐴🍏

FRIDAY FACT - Hearing

Horses have a highly developed sense of hearing that’s well outside our range. They hear higher pitched sounds than we do and will often stand listening in a stance of heightened awareness.

Sound waves travel as vibrations in the air and are picked up by your horse’s large mobile ears which can be used independently rather like antennae. As well as directing sound, they also indicate emotion.

🐴 Often when being ridden, one ear is directed towards the rider – this indicates concentration
🐴 Ears pricked - your horse is alert
🐴 If they fall sideways they indicate relaxation
🐴 Pinned flat back indicate aggression

CAM QUIZ!

Play along by writing your answer in the comments, and we will give you the correct answer next week!

Here is the answer to the last quiz question:

True or False: Client compliance with treatment plans is crucial for the successful management of canine arthritis.

Answer: True.

Are you looking for a safe and natural solution to back, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, or minor sports injuries?

Then you have come to the right place.

Chiropractors are committed, highly educated primary health care professionals focused on helping you to be as active and healthy as possible. An underlying principle of chiropractic is that a healthy spine facilitates a healthy life.

Chiropractors practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. By offering expert drug-free spinal health care, dietary and lifestyle advice, chiropractors help you to lead a healthy life and maintain wellbeing.

Please email me at [email protected] or visit www.karenambrose.co.uk for more information

"What aggravates Ankylosing Spondylitis?"

A question from Tiktok (surprisingly as I have no idea how that app works 😆)

Here are 5 things that can (or might) make symptoms worse 👇👇👇

🧵

2. Highly processed diet / excess abdominal fat

These increase your bodies general level of inflammation and this is what is causing the symptoms of AS

Simply more inflammation = Worse AS

3. Being Sedentary

In AS activity almost always makes symptoms better immediately and in the long term

Both general activity levels e.g. the number of steps in a day and also intentionally exercising are very beneficial factors

4. Getting Sick

As a double punishment getting sick requires your immune system to increase its activity a lot and this will often significantly increase the symptoms of AS

5. S*X (no not that 😉)

Being Male tends to mean more structural changes in the spine

Being Female tends to mean more widespread pain and joint / tendon pains in the arms and the legs

Want to ask a question or learn more? Check linktr.ee/rheumatology.physio for courses, books, blogs, videos etc 😎

Submit Qs via the contact form or drop me a DM 👍👍

Smash Like & share with others, thank you!

It’s Spring at last! Drier weather is hopefully on the way, make sure you get outside and enjoy it

FREE McTimoney College of Chiropractic Webinar presented by McTimoney Animal Association members Vanessa Davidson and Amanda Powell.

Thursday 28th March 7.30pm. To register and for more info click on the link in our below.

https://facebook.com/events/s/understanding-pain-behaviours-/2923095711181704/

McTimoney treatment focusses on achieving symmetry, alleviating compensatory movement patterns, and thereby improving athletic performance.

Animal Therapy Magazine Vet Times

Wow 20 years as a chiropractor!

Useful reminder at this time of year

Happy Halloween

Tuesday tip - Backing up

This is a low-impact exercise with no moment of suspension. It can be done in-hand and ridden, and your horse should move his limbs in diagonal pairs.

Performed well, it requires your horse to carry more weight on his hindquarters, and maintain increased hindlimb, lumbosacral and back joint flexion throughout the stride cycle.

Executed correctly with relaxation, impulsion and with the head lowered, the movement increases the throacic vertebral rotation, encourages core recruitment of the abdominals , thoracic sling and hip flexors. It also contributes to back mobility, the ability to collect and good posture.

For maximum benefit ask your horse to back up in-hand daily. Start with 1 or 2 steps and progress to 20 steps. The aim is good quality, long, marching steps.

This is great resource. All dog owners should check it out