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EQUINE HOLISTIC WELLNESS

Benefits of Equine Manual Therapies

  • Improves circulation

  • Enhances muscle performance

  • Relaxes the nervous system

  • Improves muscle tone

  • Increases connective tissue pliability

  • Prevents adhesions

  • Assists in lymphatic uptake

Equine Myofascial Release

 

The fascial system is a system of soft connective tissue that encompasses all other anatomical structures. The fascia is a piezoelectric tissue, which means, mechanical energy can be converted to electrical potential energy and vice versa. The therapist applies gentle sustained pressure into the fascial system via compression, traction, or moving a body part which creates an electrical current. The current allows for rehydration of the ground substance located in the fascial system, and return of energetic flow.

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Any horse can benefit from myofascial release therapy, especially those with a history of neglect, injury, or lameness. The following are scenario examples that can benefit from MFR interventions:

 

  • A history of chronic lameness

  • Decreased performance with no diagnosed problem

  • Pain sensitive areas/trigger points

  • Irritability

  • Unwillingness to work

  • Maintenance of the high-performance athlete

  • History of neglect

  • Heighten awareness/increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli

  • Gaiting/ranges of motion

Equine Craniosacral Therapy

 

The technique is a very gentle hands-on therapy that encourages the horse to release the restricted movement of the bones of the skull, spine, and pelvis.  Through Equine Craniosacral work, issues that are very often seen as conformation issues have been shown to be postural issues. As a therapy, it offers an excellent and extremely effective alternative to more conventional therapies such as massage and physiotherapy, especially for nervous or anxious horses.

Adjunct Modalities

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Tammy Tomich-Gandee
Tammy Tomich-Gandee
Tammy Tomich-Gandee
JH Farrier & Forge
Tammy Tomich-Gandee
Oriental graphic element

Tammy L Tomich-Gandee

LMT, EMFT, CLT, JFB MFR Practitioner

I became interested in John F Barnes’ technique while working in the equine industry in the Midwest during the 1990s. There was much talk and wonderment around a new way of treating lameness and gait disturbance. My curiosity grew as I continued to hear about the positive outcomes John’s Myofascial work was having with horses.

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During my career with Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in the Oncology Rehabilitation Department, I was continually empowered to further my educational interest. It was during this time I became certified in Clinical Research, Tai Chi Fundamentals training, Leduc Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Manual Lymphatic Bandaging, Total Control Instruction with the Women’s Health Foundation, Clinical Instruction for Gateway PTA Students, STAR Provider with Oncology Rehab Partners, and John F Barnes Myofascial Release (JFB MFR) theory, practice, and application.

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I continue to empower other practitioners through the instruction of Myofascial Release CEU courses at Phoenix College. I am hopeful with the support of technological advancements the growth in fascial research will further cultivate our healthcare community in recognizing the importance of myofascial treatment. I am excited to play a role in this ever-evolving discipline.

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I have attended and completed the following JFB Myofascial Release Seminars certifications; Myofascial Release I, Myofascial Release II, Myofascial Unwinding, Fascial Pelvis, Cervical- Thoracic Myofascial Release, Subtle Energy   Level I, and Mark Barnes’ Equine Myofascial Release, Dr. Angelique Barbra’s Holistic Animal Courses; Equine Myomanipulative Functional Therapy, Equine Cranial Sacral Therapy, Equine Kinesiology taping.

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