For Vets

The MAA offers vets and members of the public the reassurance they need to safely refer to and work closely with our therapists. The MAA promotes evidence based practice and is publishing and presenting research at conferences around the world (link to research page here). The MAA welcomes current industry developments and supports both the Animal Health Professions Register and the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners.

Musculoskeletal Care and Treatment

McTimoney Animal Practitioners aim to address the commonly seen relationship between biomechanical and neurological dysfunction, which can result from acute and chronic influences. The McTimoney chiropractic technique aims to rebalance the animal’s neuromusculoskeletal system using specific high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) adjustments at specific anatomical landmarks along the spine and pelvis, inducing a therapeutic response in joint structures, muscle function and nerve reflexes. Appropriate after care advice and any discussions with the animal’s veterinary surgeon provides for continued support and care for the animal.

Some examples of the externally peer reviewed evidence based research using the McTimoney chiropractic technique includes:

• McTimoney treatment has an immediate response on the equine longissimus muscle (Wakeling et al., 2006); treatment significantly decreased muscle tone and walking EMG activity compared to no change for control group of no treatment.
• Evidence of a statistically significant reduction in equine splenius muscle activity following chiropractic (McTimoney) treatment (Langstone et al., 2015)
• Positive evidence of a significant reduction in sensitivity to pain (indicated by increase mechanical nociceptor thresholds, MNTs) of the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral musculature following chiropractic treatment compared to no treatment. (Rossa et al., 2015, Vorster et al., 2018, Goodright et al., 2018)
• Quantifiable effects of (McTimoney) chiropractic treatment on equine back dimensions (Dalton et al., 2017) and pressure measurements beneath the saddle (Crosby Jones et al., 2015)

Important information for Vets:

Every therapist registered with the McTimoney Animal Association (MAA) must hold:

• Current professional and public liability insurance
• Either a PGDip or MSc Animal Manipulation (Chiropractic) from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic
• Fulfil 25hrs of continuing professional development per year
• Comply with the Veterinary Exemptions Order (2015) Legal information

The MAA has a Code of Ethics and Standards of Proficiency that all members must uphold and adhere to. The principles of the MAA set out below are overarching requirements for registration (and by implication, continued registration). The principles state that:

A member’s clients are entitled to expect that a therapist on the MAA register:

1. Has a high-level of training in animal chiropractic techniques, and competence, to assess and treat animals safely and effectively
2. Make animal welfare their first consideration in seeking to provide the most appropriate attention for animals committed to their care. This includes referring back to the treating vet as appropriate.
3. Ensure that all animals under their care are treated humanely and with respect
4. Understand and comply with their legal obligations in relation to The Veterinary Exemptions Order (2015) seeking permission of a veterinary surgeon prior to any treatment being given.
5. Foster and maintain a good relationship with their clients, earning their trust, respecting their views and protecting client confidentiality
6. Foster and endeavour to maintain good relationships with their professional colleagues, working as part of a vet-led team
7. Maintain and continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills
8. Uphold the good reputation of the McTimoney profession
9. Are recognised by a number of leading insurance companies in the event of a claim
10. Respond promptly, fully and courteously to complaints and criticism.

The MAA Research and Practice: A Review booklet (issue 02.2022) with summaries on research and McTimoney can be downloaded here or is available as a print copy on request (info@mctimoney-animal.org.uk).