Manual Therapies

Manual therapy suits a wide range of cases: age-related arthritis and stiffness, soft-tissue strains or overuse from energetic play, post-operative soreness after procedures like TPLO, hip/elbow dysplasia management, and performance maintenance in sports/working dogs.

Typical signs that your pet may benefit include slower starts after rest, reluctance with stairs or sofa jumps, a shortened stride, licking at joints, stiffness after walks, or a new preference to lie on one side.

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During treatment we use clinical massage, soft-tissue release, myofascial techniques, trigger-point work, joint mobilizations (grades I–III), passive range-of-motion and carefully progressed stretching.

These techniques aim to reduce stiffness, calm overworked muscles, improve circulation and prepare tissues to move well again.

For many pets, especially seniors and those returning from surgery, manual therapy provides the calm, low-stress foundation that makes every other part of rehab more effective.

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Every plan starts with veterinary consent and a thorough 60–90 minute assessment: gait observation (often with video), palpation to find tender or tight areas, range-of-motion testing and baseline comfort measures.

We then deliver a focused, one-to-one session using the most suitable manual techniques for your pet that day.

You’ll go home with a clear, easy home-exercise plan to support the hands-on work and simple drills you can actually fit into life.

Follow-ups are typically 30–45 minutes, where we progress as your pet improves.

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Manual therapy often pairs beautifully with our PEMF, Class 3B/IV laser and therapeutic ultrasound to settle pain and prepare tissues before we mobilize and stretch.

Used together, these non-invasive therapies can make sessions more comfortable and help your pet accept movement work sooner.

Everything is tailored: no generic “packages”—just the right mix for your animal on that day.

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Active Paws Physio provides expert manual therapy for dogs and cats in Hemel Hempstead and across Hertfordshire.

Manual therapy is the heart of veterinary physiotherapy: gentle, hands-on techniques that ease tension, improve joint movement and help your pet feel more comfortable day to day.

If you’ve searched for dog physiotherapy near me or canine physiotherapy in Hertfordshire, this is often the first, safest step that starts real progress.

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Hands-on techniques: gentle massage, soft-tissue release, joint mobilizations, targeted stretching.

Active Paws Physio based in Hemel Hempstead, serving Berkhamsted, Tring, St Albans, Harpenden, Watford, Kings Langley, Abbots Langley and surrounding Hertfordshire areas, making it easy to access veterinary physiotherapy close to home.

If your pet is slowing down, stiff after rest, reluctant to jump, recovering from surgery, or just “not moving like themselves,” manual therapy is a safe, effective starting point.

Many owners notice softer movement and happier walks as sessions progress

Book an assessment today and let’s create a personalized manual therapy plan that restores comfortable, confident movement - one calm, hands on session at a time.