Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Equine Mobilisation & Stretching
A natural complement to massage, I cannot commend highly enough the benefits of movement, mobilisation and stretching, in their own right, both of the bodies of our animals, and of our own.
Time and again, I have worked with both humans and animals whose bodies are compromised by inflexibility, often as a result of years of misuse and misunderstanding of the body’s true nature. Extended periods of repetition, whether occupationally, competitively or recreationally, often culminate in one of more areas of injury, or congestion; from joint concussion and frozen muscles, to repetitive strain and persistent pain.
And the saying that “a flexible body is a flexible mind” carries a lot of weight too. When we feel comfortable in our own bodies our minds are free from the restrictive burden that insidious discomfort and pain can lead to, and vice versa.
Encouraging flexibility in our bodies, not only enhances our physical state of well-being and acts to slow the ageing process, but also has the ability to create a positive state of empowerment in our minds.
Equine Gut & Diet
Increasingly, we are beginning to fully understand and appreciate that what both we and our animals eat, how it is processed and in what circumstances has a fundamental impact not only on a whole range of aspects of physical health but also on daily performance and behaviour too, and vice versa. Underrated, overlooked and all too often fed a modern-day quick fix, the gut is now recognised as a key player, alongside the brain and the heart. It’s never too soon to take a long, hard look at both diet and nutrition and how we can intrinsically improve our animals’ physical and mental health (and our own).
Applied Animal Herbal Choices Farm, Exotic & Companion Animals
Applying the skills and experience acquired whilst working with horses, dogs and cats, to expand my remit, was a natural progression for me. Every species listed below has been a joy to work with, in their own right, and has served to further inform and enhance my practice.
Donkeys (Equine - Herbivore)
Stanley choosing herbs and powders having made crystal clear selections of Angelica, Violet Leaf, Ginger and Wild Thyme essential oils.
Cattle (Bovine - Herbivore)
Violet Leaf, Wild Carrot Seed and Blue Chamomile provided relief for this dairy cow suffering from a condition of unknown cause.
Goats (Bovine, sub Caprine - Herbivore)
Hemp essential oil prompted Daffodil the Golden Guernsey's lip curl, characteristic of the Flehmen response, and Valerian, Jasmin and Lavender a spectacular yawn
Sheep (Bovine, sub Caprine: Ovine – Herbivore)
Storm the Soay sheep self-medicated with Vetivert, the 'Oil of Tranquility' or 'Fragrance of the Soil', and Jasmine, an emotional 'hug in a bottle'
Alpacas (Camelid - Herbivore)
Defying all odds to survive following the loss of his Mum, 4 and a half week old Lazarus intuitively chose Angelica, Violet Leaf, Peppermint and Ginger essential oils, followed by a herb smorgasbord of Marigold, Jack-by-the Hedge, Chamomile and Violet Leaf
Rabbits (Leporine – Herbivore)
Presenting with bereavement and respiratory issues, Babs the Himalayan Rex selected Violet Leaf as a dried herb, Cornflower essence, and Angelica, Lavender and Wild Thyme essential oils
Guinea Pigs (Cavie – Herbivore)
Nutritious and restorative Wheatgrass, Dandelion Root and Milk Thistle were Mango's herbs of choice, followed by reassuring and relaxing Angelica, Violet Leaf, Hemp and Hops hydrosols and essential oils.
Pigs (Suine – Omnivore)
Mango, Kiwi and Lime enjoying calming and relaxing Hops, Seaweed, often indicated for 'movement', Vetivert, and Linden Blossom, the Lime tree's 'Flower of Grace', from the luxury of their muddy puddle
Poultry:
Chickens (Galline - Omnivore)
Ducks (Anatine -Omnivore)
Self-selecting, Silver settled on Angelica hydrosol, Vetivert (linked to the hypothalamus and an appropriate choice for heightened sensitivity) and Wild Thyme essential oils
Lucky ducks engaging with and processing Valerian, Vetivert, Linden Blossom, Wild Thyme and Neroli essential oils
Chinchillas (Chinchilline – Omnivore)
Sheila enthusiastically utilised Violet Leaf, Hops, Hemp, Wild Carrot and Lemon - useful for calming, relaxing, reducing anxiety and subduing an overwrought fight/flight/freeze mechanism
Ted feasted on highly nutritious Rosehip Shells and endocrine balancing Devil's Claw
Consultations are available on any/all of the species listed on this page. If you have one that is not listed, and would like a Consultation, please contact me to discuss this further.
Merishia Equine Massage: Holistic & Deep Tissue Techniques
Massage stimulates the body's mechanoreceptors, thereby encouraging it to take action in areas that are either too tight or too loose, and can aid injury or post-operative rehabilitation by stimulating circulation, facilitating movement, easing compensations and improving proprioception. Skeletal and gait anomaly assessments, additional deep tissue massage procedures, detailed mobilisation and gentle release techniques, and unique quick fire release techniques for very restricted tissue. All these tools and more not only provide clarity when it comes to creating a picture of your horse (or other animal's) health but also combine some of the best possible methods for enhancing optimum well-being and performance.
Muscle Testing for Energy Imbalances & Emotional Release
A Kinesiology based technique, similar to Dowsing or Healing (Reiki), which can be used to assess for and identify energy imbalances within the body on a physical, biochemical, emotional and energetic level. This can be performed in person (with or without owner involvement) as well as distantly, to inform the practitioner of the best possible method/s of correction. The required response of a muscle to 'meet the pressure' illuminates the more subtle changes within the body, as well as providing a means to accessing and clearing 'stuck' emotions at their root. It's also an excellent method when used to re-test for efficacy, post correction.
Canine Reflexology
Much like humans, dogs (and other animals) carry an entire body map on their feet and hands - or paws, in this case - as well as their ears! The ancient art of Reflexology maximises this astonishing fact by combining assessment, massage and mobilisation techniques (as well as Acupressure and Kinesiology) to access and correct imbalances within all areas of the body. Utilising 'zone theory' (whereby massage points are 'reflected' in a corresponding area within that same zone of the body) Reflexology is a full body, multi-functional approach to reinstating and maintaining good health. It applies to all systems and organs of the body, and incorporates proprioception and how this influences posture, by accessing the body's Meridians or energy lines.
Canine Rehabilitation & Strengthening
"Treatment for an injury or illness aimed at restoring physical abilities." Rehabilitation via practical exercises targeting specific muscle groups aims to enhance wellbeing, speed recovery time, restore proper body function and prevent further occurrence of injury or disease. Consideration given to appropriate recovery time frames, realistic potential for rehabilitation, environmental and inflammation assessments are all key to understanding and informing the necessary stages of the rehabilitation process. Gait analysis and a sound understanding of the mechanics of the musculoskeletal system inform both the exercise plan and the incorporation of the use of simple equipment which will enable rehabilitation to address conditions causing dysfunction and typical resultant gait/movement compromises, as well as the process of healing and repair.
Triangulation
This osteopathic, One Point Correction method, is equally useful for both assessment and treatment of visceral dysfunction and imbalance. The ultimate 'hands on healing' approach, it is based around creating a fulcrum from which primary (and secondary) areas of tension can be released, via stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, fascia and fluids. Non-invasive and yet extraordinarily effective, the body is scanned in its entirety utilising only a limited number of specific holds and employs a level of palpation finely tuned to relay the most subtle of interactions within the body (similar to craniosacral and visceral therapies). Instead of being drawn to obvious sites of tension, Triangulation leads the practitioner directly to the underlying root cause and therefore results in longer lasting treatment outcomes.