An animal’s conformation may result in asymmetries and this will lead to compensatory patters developing to manage. Most humans have one leg slightly longer than the other, so as a result the pelvis sits slightly rotated. This impacts the back muscles, up to the shoulders, neck and head. Although the client’s leg cannot be made longer, the bio skeletal anatomy can be encouraged to work optimally avoiding knots, tight muscles, and discomfort as a result of developing compensatory patterns.
Dogs, for example, may have issues resulting from:- always being led on the same one side, jumping on or off furniture, getting in and out of cars, constantly going up and down stairs, repetitive ball throwing, having slippery floors in the house, rough playing with other dogs, sporting dogs eg dog agility, or working dogs may have repetitive use of the same side.
Horses’ issues may come from the imbalance of the rider, repetitive exercises or working in the same direction, poorly balanced shoeing, ill-fitting tack, capability of rider, constantly galloping around turnout field, vices.
If there is a restriction, a pattern of adjustment and compensation can develop and subsequently cause discomfort, joint restriction, reduced range of motion and nerve impingement.
This can manifest in a change in character, obvious pain, limping or an alteration in movement. For dogs, this can include crying when getting up, discomfort when being stroked, stiffness after exercise. For horses they may have cold backs, uneven wear of shoes, asymmetry, lameness, change of character eg bucking or rearing, or signs of muscle atrophy. This all influences movement patterns and reduces the capability of performing at their best which can mean all the difference between first and second place in a competition.