Galen Myotherapy is an organisation specialising in the treatment of dogs. We are physical therapists and specialists in massage techniques targeting chronic myofascial discomfort and pain, Galen Myotherapy over 20 years ago.
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GALEN MYOTHERAPY
CANINE MASSAGE
BIOMECHANICS
REHABILITATION
​At Galen we observe each dog from a 360 degree perspective enabling us to target our treatments.
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By decoding posture we can assess and interpret chronic myofascial pain and discomfort, also utilising our Galen Comfort Scale© to provide an assessment of associated pain related behaviours.
​​​​During every treatment we use an effective and ethical choice-led treatment methodology called Positive PACT®. This scientifically supported practice is unique to Galen Myotherapy and registered Galen Myotherapists.
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We are also an international training organisation teaching professional CPD’s as well fully accredited level 3 and level 5 diploma modular courses ensuring we can encompass all knowledge bases from pet guardians to veterinary professionals.
We were the first education provider in canine myotherapy/massage and have always worked closely with experts in animal health. We’ve inspired many of the luminaries that have gone on to transform the industry. We’re very proud of our close working relationships with experts in their field, such as Professor Daniel Mills, Hannah Capon (CAM), Sindhoor Pangal and Turid Rugaas, as well as our ongoing research partnerships with establishments such as the University of Lincoln. We’ve built a legacy of effective treatment protocols for chronic conditions by ensuring dogs are regarded as sentient beings. This has led to the development of our science based Positive PACT® treatment protocol.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
WHAT MAKES GALEN MYOTHERAPY UNIQUE
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CHOICE LED TREATMENT
It’s vital for the dog being treated that they feel they have a ‘choice’ in the treatment. We never use forced restraint, and treatment will always take place on the floor or on a low level, which is where a dog is most comfortable. The practice of ‘choice’ is one that has now become main-stream with many top trainers and behaviourists using the term.
GUARDIAN EMPOWERMENT
We recognise that when your dog is struggling you want to help, and often it is difficult to become involved in their treatment. However, we always include the guardians in their dog’s treatment plan, imparting techniques that are safe to use, along with exercise planning and ‘environment’ management.
HIGH LEVEL OF SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING
All Galen Myotherapists are qualified to an exceptional level, and this anatomy and physiology learning is directed at functional application. They understand the dog’s anatomy in terms of movement, how the dog’s body works and how stress can be reflected through behaviour.
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BEHAVIOURAL UNDERSTANDING
We were the first therapy organisation to discuss the direct connection between muscle pain and specific behaviour patterns. We guide owners and handlers in understanding how muscle pain can be reflected in their dog’s behaviour. This information and knowledge is also invaluable when assessing and detecting changes.
SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE
The welfare of dogs is our primary concern, and this takes priority over all other considerations. Therefore we believe in sharing knowledge through training, workshops, symposiums and events all over the world.
CONTINUAL DEVELOPMENT
Much of our course content has changed radically over the years due to new developments in understanding the behaviour and physical changes of dogs with muscular issues. We ensure we keep up to date with the latest evidence and findings, and modify our treatment and teaching to incorporate this.
Julia Robertson, founder of Galen Myotherapy, has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of dogs since 2002. In this time she has treated thousands of dogs and trained hundreds of people in Galen Myotherapy techniques. Julia was one of the very first in the UK to understand and treat the effects of adaptive change (or muscular compensation) in dogs.
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Through her years of dedication she developed Positive PACT® by observing the trends and patterns of behaviour of dogs during their treatments; her observations and conclusions concur with many respected scientific studies. She is an expert in interpreting postural and physical changes that occur in a dog when they are suffering with muscular pain.
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This quantification of the nature of the changes has now been formalised into the Galen Comfort Scale©. Julia is an expert, pioneer and leader in her field of Canine Myotherapy both in the UK and worldwide and she has been invited to speak at national and international symposiums. She is a published author and was awarded the US Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America, for her ‘Tongue to Tail’ DVD. Julia published her latest book 'How to Build a Puppy... Into a Healthy Adult Dog' in 2022.
JULIA ROBERTSON
CANINE EXPERT AND PIONEER
