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Chronic back pain

Case study · Equidinamia

Chronic Back Pain

A 7-year-old Selle Français show jumper had developed chronic back pain over five months, with misbehaviour under saddle, poor performance and visible muscle atrophy over the right pelvis. Veterinarian Marta García Piqueres and equine physical therapist Mar de Echevarría Ruiz-Oriol, of Equidinamia (Madrid, Spain), combined VetkinTape with manual therapy and a structured rehabilitation plan.

Case study – Equidinamia

  • Company: Equidinamia
  • Website: www.equidinamia.es
  • Location: Madrid, Spain
  • Duration of treatment: Two months
  • Challenge: Recovery from chronic back pain developed over five months
  • Summarised by: Laura Wildschut, Equine Physical Therapist and Trainer

Equidinamia case study
About

About this case

Equine veterinarian Marta García Piqueres and equine physical therapist Mar de Echevarría Ruiz-Oriol from Equidinamia (Spain) successfully implemented VetkinTape in the treatment of a 7-year-old show jumper. More information about their work is available at www.equidinamia.es.

Symptoms & diagnosis

Symptoms and limitations

The horse had developed chronic back pain over a period of five months before treatment. She showed the following symptoms:

  • Misbehaviour while riding
  • Poor performance
  • Remarkable muscle atrophy over the right pelvis (gluteal muscles, hamstrings)
  • Mild lameness at the trot on the right hind leg (1/5 AAEP lameness scale)

Diagnosis

She was diagnosed with sacroiliac right pathology (chronic osteoarthritis), using scintigraphy and ultrasound. She was infiltrated twice without showing improvement.

Diagnosis of sacroiliac pathology

Treatment plan

A two-month, multi-technique treatment plan

Piqueres and Ruiz-Oriol set up a two-month treatment plan, combining:

  • Multiple VetkinTape applications
  • Manual therapy (chiropractic adjustments, myofascial release, mobilisation, stretching)
  • Functional electrical stimulation (FES, Equinew™)
  • A daily proprioceptive training programme

The training included lunging over poles, using elastic bands or proprioceptive bracelets, and up-hill/down-hill walking exercises unridden.

Kinesiology taping benefits
Kinesiology taping benefits

How the tape was used

The Equidinamia team placed VetkinTape equine kinesiology tape over the sacroiliac area and the painful spinous processes with the intention of decreasing the pain. A fascia technique was used over the thoracolumbar fascia to normalise the status of the fascia and allow the structures to move freely again. A muscle-relaxation technique was used on the tight paravertebral muscles, and a toning technique was used on the atrophied muscles to improve their function.

Results

Results

The combination of techniques resulted in significant improvement in the horse’s performance. The right pelvic muscles developed well, and the mare showed no signs of pain or sore areas anymore. Mobility across the back and sacroiliac area improved. Her rider continued a dynamic, controlled exercise plan for several months and was able to ride her without behavioural problems.

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VetkinTape veterinary kinesiology tape

VetkinTape is an elastic & adhesive kinesiology tape developed specifically for veterinary purposes. It is used by animal physiotherapists and veterinary professionals to relieve pain, improve muscle function, blood circulation & lymphatic flow, and support joints.


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Attention: We would like to remind you that certain tape applications provided on our website are not yet fully scientifically proven. Mentioned applications are based on extensive evaluation and case studies with licensed veterinary physiotherapists and/or other veterinary professionals.