Next Steps
Veterinary Physiotherapy
Our Services
Manual therapies
Offering a gentle and hands-on approach to support your pet’s healing and enhance their well-being. This service involves skilled techniques like massage, joint mobilisation, and stretching, all designed to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and decrease tension.
Electrotherapies
A gentle yet effective way to aid your pet’s recovery and boost their overall wellness by harnessing the power of electrical stimulation. We offer:
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT)
Low frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate and support the body’s natural healing processes, essentially recharging cells to help them work more efficiently. It can help to reduce pain, improve neurological function, heal bone and reduce swelling.
Laser therapy
Using focused light, laser can penetrate through skin to reach muscle, tendons, ligaments and joints which can help to heal, reduce pain and decrease inflammation.
Thermotherapy and cryotherapy
Thermotherapy (heat therapy) and cryotherapy (cold therapy) work in similar ways to aid the body. Thermotherapy uses warmth to relax muscles, increase blood flow (bringing nutrients and oxygen to heal damaged tissues) and reduces pain. Cryotherapy reduces blood flow and therefore swelling and inflammation, limiting further tissue damage.
Remedial exercise programme
Specially designed to support your pet’s recovery and enhance their overall well-being through a personalised plan. Each programme is created to address specific needs, whether it’s improving mobility, strengthening muscles, or encouraging proprioception, all while ensuring your furry friend is comfortable and engaged.
Each session is tailored to your pet, ensuring they feel comfortable with all aspects of assessment and treatment.
Prices
£50
1-hour initial session
including full assessment
£45
45-minute session
for follow up treatment
£20
20-minute session
electrotherapy only
FAQ
Why might your pet need Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can be used for a wide variety of animals including but not limited to those recovering from an injury or operation, sporting and working dogs who need to maintain their fitness, and older dogs who are struggling with their mobility. Alternatively, you may simply have concerns regarding a change in behaviour which could be but are not limited to:
- Reluctance on walks
- Finding it difficult to get up and down
- Avoiding or struggling with stairs
- Changes in behaviour
- Avoiding being touched in certain areas
What will a session involve?
The initial assessment will involve me looking at how your dog stands, sits, walks and trots as well as full body palpation, where I’ll be looking for areas of weakness and discomfort. Then a discussion will follow, going through your pets history and their day to day management to help piece the puzzle together of why they may be struggling, and how we may need to adapt this to aid the physiotherapy programme.
The outcome of this will determine next steps with regards to treatment. It may include manual therapies such as massage and stretching, electrotherapies (laser or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) and exercise prescription so we can continue progressing in between sessions. After the first session I will also write a report disclosing findings, treatment and the ongoing plan for your pet to send to their vet.
Who can have Physiotherapy at Next Steps?
I predominantly treat dogs although any animal can benefit from physiotherapy. Please get in contact for any enquiries about other cases including, but not limited to, cats, horses and livestock.
What needs to happen before your pet can have Physiotherapy?
Before I can assess and treat your pet, I will need a consent form signing from their registered vet. Not only is this required by law, it also means I can get a full clinical history from your pet to get an understanding of their overall health to target their treatment.
Maisie Marsh IMSc
Veterinary Physiotherapist
Growing up I was surrounded by animals and always knew a career with them was on the cards, having had cats and small animals growing up and being around relatives dogs any chance I could. At 16 I started working in a boarding kennels whilst at college and met an elderly Golden Retriever who was showing severe symptoms of osteoarthritis. He was a regular guest, and when one visit he was a completely different dog after receiving Physiotherapy/Hydrotherapy treatment, this fuelled my desire to work in the industry. I took the leap in 2018 and enrolled at Writtle University College, and then got awarded an Integrated Masters (IMSc) in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2022. After graduating I then worked towards my Level 3 and Level 4 certificates in Canine Hydrotherapy.
Since earning my qualifications I have worked for Davies Veterinary Specialists as a Hydrotherapist as well as at Dogs Trust as a Physiotherapist. While working at Dogs Trust I have enhanced my skillset working with nervous and reactive animals. I am passionate that these animals deserve as much care as any other and am confident in my ability to provide a service to these too.
I am a member of RAMP, meaning I am always carrying out CPD to extend my knowledge and skill set but also that I am monitored and regulated by a professional body.
In my spare time you can find me going on adventures with my Labrador Nev and caring for my cat Stella, who are the faces behind the logo.
My approach to Physiotherapy is rooted in scientific knowledge and fuelled by a genuine love for animals. If you would like to see more about my services, please feel free to contact me.
“Veterinary Physiotherapy to your door!”
By eliminating the stress of travel, this service provides an environment where your pet can relax and heal in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, allowing you to witness their progress every step of the way. Next Steps Veterinary Physiotherapy proudly covers East Anglia, bringing specialised Veterinary Physiotherapy directly to your doorstep. I cover a 25 mile radius of St Neots, including areas of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire. For an additional mileage charge I can travel further, please contact me for further information.
