CAM blogs

CAM Meets Julia Robertson

Julia Robertson brought Canine Myotherapy to the UK. Galen Myotherapy is a unique and highly specialised manual therapy and exercise management. It uses appropriate, effective and targeted massage techniques and exercise management to manage the chronic muscular pain and inflammation that is caused from many different conditions that are so common in a dogs life. Julia  is the expert within this modality and has treated over 8,000 dogs, developing the therapy from her extensive experience. Julia established the Galen Therapy Centre in 2002 and gained the full external accreditation on the Galen Myotherapy Diploma in 2006. The Diploma course has now been running for over 10 years.

Julia holds qualifications in the following areas:

  • Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
  • Dip. Canine Myotherapy (OCN)
  • Dip. Canine Exercise Physiology
  • Dip. Sports and Remedial Massage (ITEC)
  • Dip. Equine Sports and Remedial Massage (ITEC)
  • Canine Massage ITT (NCTMB) U.S.A
  • Reiki (second degree)

Julia is an award winning therapist, a published author of three books and 2 x DVD’s and a sought after International Speaker.  (India, Taiwan, Australia, USA. Many countries in Europe, Scandinavia, Czech Republic).  Due to travel in 2018 to China, Mexico, Southern Ireland and Poland.

 

Julia kindly agreed to answer some questions for us.

What are your feelings on how we currently manage this common debilitating condition in dogs?

I think that sometimes it is misdiagnosed and many lameness’s, especially if the dog is over 6 years old, is put down to osteoarthritis (OA) whereas sometimes it is a soft tissue/muscular problem.  Therefore, often dogs are put onto unnecessary medication such as non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that often have little or no effect on muscular problems but can have debilitating secondary effects on the dog for no or little benefit.

The compensatory issues that result from any pain and mobility issues result in secondary pain that is often not considered within any treatment plan.  By addressing both the condition and the compensation, OA could be managed so much more effectively.

 

As a  therapist what do you feel is essential for managing canine arthritis effectively?

More education in preventative care, environmental issues that can exacerbate physical injury that can be a possible cause of OA; also exercise programmes especially ones for puppies and re-homed dogs.

 

How do you see treatment options for arthritis progressing over the next ten years?

Better education regarding prevention.

A better ‘team’ approach for managing the condition as a whole, not just from a joint perspective.

 

If you could had the opportunity to give one tip/ piece of advice to an owner with a dog suffering from arthritis what would it be?

I would have to give two!!

  1. Consider the ‘environment’ your dog is living with regards flooring and how this environment could be aggravating their already debilitating condition.
  2. Consider the compensatory effects and how by easing these they could help manage the perceived pain.

 

Julia Roberertson
Galen Therapy Centre, The Paddocks, London Road, Bolney, West Sussex RH17 5PY

Tel: 01444 881027
Email: mail@caninetherapy.co.uk