Complementary Therapies
Dr. Elizabeth Riddett offers specialized complementary treatments, including Spinal Manipulation Therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine Veterinary Acupuncture, Shockwave, Laser Therapy, and Dry Needling/IMS. These therapies support mobility, accelerate healing, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being—whether your horse is recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or striving for peak performance. By integrating these complementary therapies, we’re able to provide our clients with comprehensive care tailored to each horse’s unique needs.
These complementary therapies can be added on to your appointment with us at Epona, or can be booked directly with Dr. Riddett through Align Vet Services. at info@alignvetservices.com (please note she does have limited availability through Align Vet Services)
Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy
Veterinary Chiropractic (VSMT) is a manual therapy that targets areas of muscle tension causing subtle abnormal relationships between two adjacent bones. The nervous system, muscles, and bones are delicately intertwined to allow proper function, movement, and range or motion. This can relieve the abnormal pressure and irritation of nerves and soft tissues that result from restricted areas of movement along the pelvis, back, neck, jaw, and poll regions.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy works at the cellular level - light energy is absorbed by the cells, which stimulates mitochondria and energy production. The result is an increase in metabolism, enhanced cellular repair, and decreased inflammation. Microscopic vasodilation improves circulation to injured areas bringing oxygen-rich blood to the area and removing waste products.
Dry Needling/IMS
Dry needling or intramuscular stimulation (IMS) uses very thin needles to release myofascial trigger points, which are tight, hyperirritable bands of muscle. Trigger points can cause pain, restrict range of motion, and make it difficult for muscles to function appropriately. When a needle is applied to a trigger point, it decreases muscle tightness, increases blood flow, and reduces pain. Ultimately this allows for a return to normal muscle length and movement.
Shockwave
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a safe, non-invasive therapy that uses mechanical energy to reversibly change the cellular skeleton. The cellular membrane is "deformed" and this change is shape kick starts a reaction of the cell to release specific proteins of the healing process. Shockwave can help tendon and ligament injuries, osteochondrosis dessicans lesions, mild disc bulges, and more. To ensure peak efficacy of this therapy, the fur is trimmed over the treatment area.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Acupuncture
Dr. Riddett completed her acupuncture training in Spring 2025. Acupuncture helps the body heal itself by changing its physiology. Nerves are stimulated, blood vessels dilate and increase circulation, hormones are released, and stem cells are stimulated. Thin needles are inserted at specific points along various meridians to affect change. This is well tolerated and very safe.
