About Us
Merseyside Canine Physiotherapy (MCP) provides tailored assessment and treatment services to our canine clients following a referral or approval from the vet. Unlike human physiotherapy, where clients can self-refer, The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015 only allows veterinary physiotherapists to treat animals if they have been approved by a vet first. This does not mean you can't self-refer; when you request an appointment, we will ask if you have already gained consent from your vet. We will then ask for your veterinary details and gain their consent prior to your appointment. We can gain this consent on your behalf, or you can request a referral form from our website to discuss with your vet.
MCP aims to work alongside the veterinary teams to optimise function and quality of life for your canine companion. Whether your canine is a companion animal or elite competitor, physiotherapy aims to restore and maintain mobility, function, independence and performance.
Here at MCP, I am a chartered physiotherapist specialising in animal physiotherapy. I am therefore a member of HCPC, CSP and ACPAT Cat A. I use clinically reasoned and evidence-based approaches to provide the most appropriate and safe management of our clients.
MCP is located in Knowsley and will be happy to provide our services to any in need.
-Please note-
There are many canine practitioners, some with qualifications and some without. It is advised that you check the qualifications of the person treating your animal to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications and insurance.
Physiotherapy is an established health care profession in the UK which requires a formal degree level qualification. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a regulatory body that governs all formal health practice in the UK. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) regulates all physiotherapists within the UK and The Association of Chartered Therapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) is an organisation within the CSP which specialises in animals. Membership of all bodies means we are qualified, insured, and required to provide evidence of continued professional development to ensure high quality and safe practice.
Benefits
Animals, like people, respond to physiotherapy. The purpose of physiotherapy is to restore and maintain mobility, function, independence and performance. Physiotherapy encourages healing and improves range of movement, prevents secondary complications and enhances/maintains function. Our services do not only help to reduce physical discomfort for your pet, but may also help to prevent more serious health problems later in life, such as wear and tear in other joints as a result of compensating. A physiotherapist can help treat the initial problem, thereby improving the dog’s long-term quality of life.
Physiotherapy assists with the management of joint or spinal problems, to rehabilitation after surgery or injury. Our profession is now considered an essential addition to medical and surgical management.
This is not just for the injured animals; it is also beneficial for the older animals or those with joint abnormalities such as hip or elbow dysplasia, or arthritis. It was once thought that exercise for these dogs should be restricted, however lack of exercise for dogs with joint problems has several negative consequences, such as decreased flexibility, increased joint pain and stiffness, poor muscle strength, chronic pain, weight gain and an overall reduction in quality of life. Low-impact exercises can help improve arthritis by increasing muscle strength and joint mobility, decreasing the need for pain medication, and decreasing stress on joints. With the right care, each of the symptoms can be treated to slow down the process of degeneration and reduce the overall effect on your dog’s quality of life.
Canine Therapy Services
Merseyside Canine Physiotherapy Offer The Following Services
Physiotherapy (stretches/mobilisations/manual therapy/assessment)
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Massage/Myofascial Release
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Exercise Programs (strength, proprioception, balance)
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LASER Therapy (light therapy used for a variety of conditions to relieve pain, reduce swelling and promote healing)
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Underwater Treadmill Therapy
We can offer a wide range of treatments in one location for a single cost per session instead of per treatment. Services provided will be based on thorough assessment and not all services will be appropriate for your dog.
Treatments provided aim to relieve muscle tension and spasm, improve and maintain muscle strength, reduce pain, improve function, performance and quality of life.
Conditions Commonly Treated
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Musculoskeletal Issues (tendons, ligaments, muscle, weakness, inflammation, swelling, reduced range of movement, compensation)
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Orthopedic issues (post-surgery, arthritis, dysplasia, lameness)
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Neurological issues (degenerative conditions, post spinal surgery, ataxia, nerve injury)
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Balance and co-ordination issues - some conditions may leave your dog unbalanced or uncoordinated. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation can attempt to improve this in your dog, reducing compensation and pain, aiming to improve quality of life. We can also provide advice and education to help you support and care for your dog.
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Some conditions will resolve completely, where others, such as arthritis or neurological conditions may show symptoms that come and go. Long term conditions may benefit from ongoing, maintenance therapy.
Physiotherapists can sometimes find problems in dogs, when the owners may not have noticed any changes. This is particularly common in active, working, or sporting dogs. We therefore, advise that these dogs should have at least six monthly checkups to remain in optimum shape. It is more effective and beneficial to prevent issues before they occur.
Underwater Treadmill Therapy
Underwater Treadmill Therapy (UWTT) can be used for:
Weight loss
Improving Range of Movement
Improving Muscle Strength
Gait Re-education
Orthopaedic conditions
Neurological Conditions
Balance, Co-ordination & Posture
Conservative & Post Op Management of Spinal Disorders
Stable Fractures
Post Op Hip/Knee Surgeries
Improving Exercise Tolerance/ Cardiovascular Fitness
How does UWTT improve…
Pain – water is heated between 28 and 31 degrees to relieve aches and pains
Range of Movement – buoyancy of the water reduces weight placed on the joints. Less impact on the joints can allow gentle and controlled exercise.
Strength – the water and adding an incline provides resistance during movement.
Gait patterns – buoyancy reduces weight through the limbs; changing the speed allows the therapist to control the quality of gait
Balance and Co-ordination – changing the height of the water aids balance and joint stability
Weight Loss – A fun, physical activity.
What To Expect:
If you feel your dog will benefit from UWTT we will need to gain consent from your vet to do so. Your first appointment will be a ‘land based’ full physical assessment where we will discuss appropriate goals/ exercises and talk about what to expect from your UWTT sessions.
The UWTT sessions will involve your dog wearing a water harness before walking into the treadmill where they will be joined by the physiotherapist. The water will then be filled from the bottom of the treadmill towards an appropriate level depending on the dogs needs and speed will be adjusted accordingly.
Your dog will carry out short bursts of walking or trotting with regular rest intervals. The aim would be to progress this over time. Your dog will be fully supported by the physiotherapist at all times.
Meet the Team
My name is Alice and I am the owner of Merseyside Canine Physiotherapy. I graduated from the University of Teesside in 2016 with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. Since qualifying, I have worked for the NHS.
In 2018, I began my journey toward achieving my goal as a Veterinary Physiotherapist and in January 2021 I was able to graduate from The University of Liverpool. I am HCPC, CSP and ACPAT Cat A registered.
I am extremely excited to begin working with you and your canine companions.
My Husband Jack, is the brains behind the business! He's our tech guy and is always on hand to help lift our heavier dogs!
Zeus is our most trusted assistant. He is currently learning the ropes; he is very clingy and can be mischievous at times but is very well behaved and always makes us laugh. Zeus loves playing tug-of-war, running around the park or the garden and is a master of stealing your spot on the couch!
Contact Us
Treatment Hours
Wednesday: 9:00am - 20:00
Thursday: 9:00am - 20:00
Friday: 9:00am - 20:00
Call me to schedule an appointment or use the contact form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Please check you spam for responses!
3 St Brendans Close, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
Contact Number : 07862041644