Modalities
Listed below are all of the modalities offered by 180° Equine Therapies LLC with a brief explanation of the benefits!
Want to See the Modalities in Action?
Massage
Massage has been shown to improve range of motion and stride length, relieve pain, reduce tension, and improve proprioception. These benefits can lead to improved posture and balance while also reducing stress. Horses being seen by a bodyworker on a regular schedule will benefit most!
Introductory Massage Session: $120
Subsequent Massage Sessions: $95
Percussion Gun
The massage gun works to reduce inflammation by flushing lymph fluid and blood out of the muscle. I use a percussion massage gun sparingly and primarily on horses I have worked on multiple times. This tool helps to stimulate and relax muscles holding tension that my hands alone can’t reach effectively. Different muscles respond to different techniques: the direction, angle, and intensity of the gun will determine its effectiveness and it may not be right for your horse’s body.
No Added Charge
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, or LLLT uses a continuous red light with a wavelength between 630 – 700 nanometers. The light is used on a targeted area of skin to stimulate the production of mitochondria as well as promote cell growth and function. Commonly used to help alleviate acne, wrinkles, scar tissue, and eczema it has also been used to relieve pain by releasing endorphins. Currently I use a torch that utilizes red light wavelengths of 630nm and 660nm, infrared wavelengths of 850nm and 940nm, and blue wavelength of 460nm. I have used this on myself and it has visibly reduced scar tissue over my own surgical scars!
Red Light Add On: $10
Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology tape is applied directly to the coat and helps stabilize muscles and tendons, reduce pain from injury, and improve circulation without restricting movement. Personally I prefer using K-tape to improve posture and proprioception, reduce swelling, and to provide added support to compromised joints. Usually for a K-tape application, the area to be taped is wiped down with rubbing alcohol to remove natural oils, the area is then sprayed with an animal safe hairspray, and the taping is applied!
Kinesiology Taping Add On: $5 per 12” used
Cupping
Cupping is a technique using suction to benefit the body, for use in humans the cups are typically glass but I’ve found silicone to be much safer for equine applications. The suction increases blood flow to an area supporting healthy connective tissue function and promoting cell repair resulting in a release of tension. It is the belief of many that cupping helps balance yin and yang, the negative and positive, within the body.
Cupping Add On: $5
TENS and EMS
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation uses a low-voltage electrical current to stimulate sensory nerves and lessen pain signals. By applying the TENS stimulus to an area with tension, the brain will register relief instead of pain.
Electric Muscle Stimulation uses a slightly stronger current than TENS in order to contract a muscle. These pulses mimic a muscles active operation while the subject is at rest resulting in improved muscle function and faster recovery.
TENS and EMS target different nerve groups in the body. TENS targets sensory nerves to temporarily relieve pain while EMS targets the muscle via the motor nerves to improve and facilitate muscle performance. Sensory and motor nerves fire at different frequencies, which is why EMS and TENS devices affect the body differently.
TENS or EMS Add On: $10
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Typically this therapy is used via smell to engage the emotional center of the brain or via direct application to nourish the coat or relax the muscles. Essential oils have been purported to help ease anxiety, depression, digestive issues, and so much more, however some essential oils are toxic to your animals. I use Peppermint, Clary Sage, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang oils from a reputable dealer and dilute them with nourishing Jojoba oil. I chose this oil for diffusion because it is incredible for skin and is commonly considered an anti inflammatory.
No Added Charge