What is Galen Myotherapy?
Galen Myotherapy: Targeted Massage Therapy to Reduce the Discomfort of Musculoskeletal Issues in Dogs
Galen Myotherapy is a specialised, hands-on clinical canine massage treatment designed to provide targeted pain relief for dogs living with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Each session is tailored to your dog's specific needs, with personalised massage treatments complemented by lifestyle and environmental advice to support their overall well-being.
This therapy can be integrated into a multimodal approach to pain management for various conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Luxating Patellas
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
- Cruciate Ligament Issues
- Spondylitis
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (CDM)
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Ongoing or Intermittent Lameness
- Compensatory Issues
- Prehabilitation & Rehabilitation
Galen Myotherapy follows the Positive PACT method, a consent-based approach that allows dogs to choose the pace and depth of treatment, ensuring a stress-free, positive experience.
Regular sessions can help dogs move more freely, feel more comfortable, and stay active for longer, making it a valuable part of a multimodal approach to their care.
Veterinary Consent & Booking Information
It is a legal requirement for all dogs receiving myotherapy to have signed consent from their vet to confirm the dog is in a suitable state of health to receive treatment. I’m happy to assist with this process—please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Benefits of Galen Myotherapy
Galen Myotherapy is a specialised form of canine massage therapy designed to improve dogs’ mobility, comfort, and overall well-being. This non-invasive, hands-on therapy focuses on targeting muscular issues, relieving tension, and addressing areas of compensation caused by injury, chronic conditions, or postural imbalances.
For dogs with chronic conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or postural issues, Galen Myotherapy plays a key role in managing pain and improving quality of life. Dogs naturally adjust their movement and posture to compensate for pain, stiffness, or past injuries. Over time, this can lead to muscular imbalances, discomfort, and restricted mobility. Galen Myotherapy helps to:
Reduce stiffness and maintain joint mobility.
Enhance relaxation through the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers.
Improve proprioception, which helps dogs stay aware of their body position and improves movement.
Release tension in overworked muscles and fascia that may be causing restriction.
Improve circulation to promote healing and nutrient delivery to tissues.
Encourage balanced movement by addressing postural adaptations.
Additionally, sports dogs and highly active dogs can greatly benefit from Galen Myotherapy. Dogs do not need a diagnosis to receive or benefit from treatment.
Regular treatments can help prevent injuries, maintain flexibility, and support overall muscular health, allowing them to perform at their best while reducing strain on their bodies.
What to Expect
1. Enquiry
Contact me to find out if myotherapy is right for your dog. I’ll answer any questions and discuss how myotherapy may help.
2. Initial Assessment & Booking
Once we’ve determined that myotherapy is the right choice for your dog, I will send you a booking form to complete. This form includes a section for you to provide pictures and videos of your dog, which allows me to conduct a thorough postural and gait analysis before the first treatment. You will also complete the Galen Comfort Scale, which helps assess your dog’s comfort levels and any areas of discomfort or restriction.
Both the postural/gait analysis and the Galen Comfort Scale along with the lifestyle information you provide are essential tools in tailoring the treatment plan to your dog’s specific needs. They also serve as benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment over time, helping us track progress and make adjustments as needed.
3. Vet Consent & Scheduling
Once I receive the completed form, I will arrange vet consent. After gaining approval, we’ll schedule a time and date for your dog’s first massage session. The service is mobile and will be delivered in your home.
4. Initial Treatment Plan
Dogs will typically require a course of initial treatment, which must be scheduled 7–10 days apart. This allows time to assess how your dog responds to therapy while maintaining continuity in their treatment. I usually recommend 3, but some dogs will need more. After these sessions, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and work together to develop a long-term maintenance plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs. Dogs with underlying issues may require regular maintenance treatments.
5. Service Delivery
Massage sessions are booked in advance. Galen Myotherapy follows the Positive PACT® approach, a consent-based concept that allows your dog to choose the pace and depth of the massage. The duration of each session depends on how your dog responds—some may take longer to adjust, especially if they are sore. Others may engage for shorter periods. The goal is to create a positive, stress-free experience where your dog feels comfortable and in control. Appointments usually last an hour, with dogs free to engage as and when they feel ready.
6. Follow-up & Ongoing Care
At the end of the session, I will provide you with tips on managing your dog’s lifestyle and environment, along with rehabilitation exercises to help you and your dog get the most from their treatment. These strategies not only support recovery but also help manage your dog’s condition as part of a multimodal approach to their overall well-being.
Positive Pact®
I joined Galen Myotherapy because of the Positive PACT® methodology, which improves outcomes by building trust and fostering clear communication between the therapist and the dog. Developed by Julia Robertson, Positive PACT® is a choice-led process that involves the dog, their guardian, and the therapist. This approach empowers the dog to control the intensity and pace of their treatment, promoting autonomy over their body and allowing treatment of chronic muscular pain or dysfunction, even in sensitive areas.
This approach means that, while Positive PACT® is highly effective for most dogs, I cannot guarantee how long a dog will engage in treatment. Each dog is unique, and for some, the process may not be suitable, as they may not be ready or willing to engage fully. However, for the majority of dogs, this method improves outcomes by allowing them to participate on their own terms, reducing stress and promoting a more positive therapeutic experience. By respecting each dog's individual needs and emotional state, we can create a treatment environment that fosters trust and leads to better overall wellbeing.
Where I Work
I am currently based in Newcastle upon Tyne and offer a mobile service across North East England. Services are delivered in your home, which for many dogs helps them feel relaxed enough to engage in treatment.
I currently serve most of the North East including (but not limited to)
Newcastle upon Tyne
Gateshead
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
South East Northumberland
West Northumberland
Sunderland
If you do not see you area listed please drop me a message as I may still be able to help.
Telephone Support
This one-hour call provides calm, expert support for owners who want to better understand their dog’s comfort, mobility, and general musculoskeletal health. While I cannot assess, diagnose, or treat your dog remotely, this session creates space to talk through any concerns you may have and to help you feel more confident about the next steps.
We can explore common signs of pain, age-related or activity-related musculoskeletal issues, and simple warm-up ideas that support safer movement. I can also discuss ways to help your dog maintain healthy muscles, reduce strain, and stay comfortable in everyday life, including exploring complementary therapies, how these may help your dog and signposting to services in your area.
If you’re preparing for a veterinary appointment, we can look at questions you may wish to ask, how to explain what you’re noticing, and how to feel more informed about potential investigations such as imaging. Where appropriate, I can also signpost you to other qualified professionals or services that may support your dog’s needs.
After the call, you’ll receive a clear written summary covering everything we discussed, giving you practical points to refer back to in your own time.
Contact me to discuss if this service is right for you.
"Thank goodness for Liz and her knowledge and understanding of pain and its effects . I had an amazing phone consultation with Liz after sending a wee video of my Border Terrier who is currently under a behaviourist and a pain trial. Liz helped me understand what might be going on with my wee boy and helped me with a wee roadmap for what we might explore next with him. As we get closer to a diagnosis, it was good to get a different perspective from Liz as the behaviourist is covering what's going on in his head , the vets is providing a pain free circumstance for those behavioural changes to take place. But Liz can offer a different perspective of knowledge and support (and banter) around pain management, progressing towards a diagnosis and supporting and helping a wee dog who is in pain and can't tell us what's wrong. Highly recommend and will continue to rely on Liz's advice as we move towards the next part of our journey. Thanks so much Liz" - Chris
Pricing
Initial Assessment Appointment - £60 - 1 ½ Hours
Initial appointments are arranged once I have received your booking form and a signed consent form from your vet.
What's included?
- Postural and gait analysis
- Massage session around 45 minutes*
- Written plan including advice on environment, lifestyle and equipment
- Support during the session and via Whatsapp afterwards
- your vet receives a report after the inital course of treatment
I am a mobile therapist and all treatments will be delivered in your home.
Follow up/Maintenance Treatment - £40 - 1 hour
Follow-up appointments support your dog’s progress and continue to improve their comfort. These sessions are usually scheduled 7–10 days apart during the initial course of treatment.
Maintenance treatments help to keep your dog at their optimum level of comfort once the initial course is complete. The need and frequency will vary depending on your dog’s individual condition.
What's included?
- Massage session around 45 minutes*
- Support during the session and via Whatsapp afterwards
- Review of you written plan and any further recommendations
Your vet will receive a written report following the initial course of treatment.
I am a mobile therapist and all treatments will be delivered in your home.
Multi Dog Households
Do you have more than one dog requiring treatment? No problem!
Please contact me to discuss your specific needs. Price on enquiry.
Price of treatment is based on a travel distance of 15 miles from NE15 6AZ.
For locations beyond this, the fee is charged plus 45p per mile (both ways), calculated using Google Maps. This will be agreed upon prior to your first appointment.
* I aim offer 45 minutes of massage to your dog, however I used a consent based approach and length of time your dog will be massaged for depends on how much they are willing to engage in any given session. You can read more about POSITIVE PACT® here.
Telephone Support - £25 - 1 hour
A supportive call covering signs of pain, common musculoskeletal issues, warm-ups, and ways to maintain healthy movement. I can’t assess or treat your dog remotely, but I can offer clear guidance, help you prepare for vet visits, and signpost to suitable professionals or services. A written summary is included after the call.
Contact Me
Telephone: 07891865972
E-mail: liz@lmcaninetherapy.co.uk
Opening hours: Tuesday - 1pm - 7pm, Wednesday 10am - 6pm, Friday 10am - 6pm, Saturday 1pm - 6pm