Benefits of equine body work

Authors: Hughes S
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Integrative, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Equine body work consists of manual therapy used for preventing and treating disease or disharmonies. Equine body work practitioners use various manipulations applied to the body surface or deeper tissues; or apply special limb-stretching movements to prevent and treat diseases. Equine body work may have multiple descriptions such as Equine Shiatsu Therapy, Equine Tui Na, Equine Sports Massage, Equine Bowen Therapy. It is important to note that at this stage of development, Equine body work is an empirical art and science that has developed, like most of modern medicine, through practitioner experience. There is very little evidence-based Equine body work in the form of randomized placebo-controlled studies, yet there is overwhelming evidence of historical use and appreciation for this specialized applied manual therapy. While some researchers consider personal experience and expert opinion flawed when applied to medical practice, there is considerable debate whether controlled trials of evidence-based medicine itself are a realistic approach to the various exigencies of daily clinical practice1.

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