Sarah Edge Chartered Physiotherapist and ACPAT Physiotherapist

27/04/2026

Let talk about Fascia: The Body’s Secret Support System‼️

Did you know your dog’s fascia is one of the most important—and often overlooked—systems involved in movement, posture, and comfort?

Fascia is a continuous three-dimensional network of connective tissue made primarily of collagen, elastin, ground substance, nerves, and fluid. It surrounds and connects muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and organs.

Rather than separate structures working alone, fascia helps the entire body function as an integrated system.

When fascia becomes tight, dehydrated, inflamed, or develops adhesions after injury, surgery, inactivity, repetitive strain, or compensation patterns, it can lose normal elasticity and glide. This can negatively affect your dog in several ways:

• Reduced range of motion in joints�• Shortened stride length and altered gait mechanics�• Increased muscular tension and overuse of surrounding structures�• Poor posture and weight-shifting patterns�• Decreased performance in sport or working dogs�• Pain or sensitivity during movement or touch�• Slower recovery after exercise or injury

Because fascia contains sensory receptors involved in proprioception (body awareness) and pain perception, restrictions may also affect coordination, balance, and movement confidence.

A restriction in one area can create tension elsewhere through fascial chains.
For example, tightness through the shoulder may influence the neck, back, or opposite hind limb as the body compensates.

Supporting healthy fascia in dogs is very important and often overlooked.

Things that can help regulate the fascia include:

• Regular varied movement and controlled exercise
�• Appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines
�• Hydration and good nutrition
�• Weight management
�• Massage and soft tissue therapy
�• Rehabilitation exercises
�• Manual therapy from a suitably qualified canine physiotherapist - please talk to us if you would like a consultation

Sometimes a dog that seems “lazy,” stiff, or unwilling is actually dealing with mechanical restriction and discomfort.

Healthy fascia supports healthy movement 🐾🐶

21/04/2026

Let’s talk about Arthritis ‼️

Osteoarthritis in dogs is the most common long-term condition we see in clinic- especially as dogs get older, but it can affect young dogs too.

It is a progressive joint disease where the cartilage within the joint gradually wears down, leading to inflammation, stiffness, discomfort, and reduced mobility over time.

One of the biggest challenges with canine osteoarthritis is that dogs are exceptionally good at hiding pain. As a result of this, they often continue to carry on as normal for quite some time, and the early signs can be very easy to miss.

Many owners expect pain to look obvious — crying, yelping, or refusing to walk — but arthritis pain is usually much more subtle. It often shows as small day-to-day changes such as:

▪️Slowing down on walks
▪️Lagging behind or tiring sooner
▪️ Stiffness after rest, or first thing in the morning
▪️Reluctance to jump into the car or onto furniture
▪️Difficulty with stairs
▪️Sleeping more than usual
▪️Changes in posture or the way they sit
▪️Irritability, reactivity or seeming less sociable
▪️Licking at joints or limbs
▪️Or just acting old

Because these signs develop gradually, they are often mistaken as simply normal ageing. In reality, many older dogs are not “slowing down because they’re old” — they are slowing down because they are in pain.

By the time owners notice something more obvious, such as limping or lameness, the disease has often already progressed significantly. Joint changes may have been developing for months or even years before that point. Once arthritis is advanced, it cannot be reversed, but it can absolutely be managed.

That is why early recognition and early intervention are so important. The sooner osteoarthritis is identified, the sooner steps can be taken to reduce pain, protect mobility, and improve quality of life.

If your dog is slowing down, hesitating, struggling with movements they once found easy, or just doesn’t seem quite themselves, please discuss this with your vet.

Pain in dogs is often quiet, but that does not mean it is not there 🐾

Just to finish- a photo of my beautiful girl who is no longer with me but who taught me so much about learning to read the subtle signs of pain. Please share to spread- this is such an important message!

14/04/2026

Started the Canine Arthritis Management Advanced Practitioner Course today 🤩……looking forward to deepening my understanding and bringing even more effective, tailored care to the dogs I work with. I’ve got a year to complete it….wish me luck 🧑‍🎓📚

03/04/2026

My boy looking like the magnificent hound he is 😍

01/04/2026

The lovely Barney in clinic this morning starting his new exercise routine

28/03/2026

13/03/2026

🐾 The Power of Exercise for Your Dog 🐾

Great to see this article in Veterinary Practice News 😃

Exercise is one of the most powerful things you can do for your dog’s health and wellbeing. In fact, no other single therapy offers the same range of benefits.

Regular movement can relieve pain, protect cartilage, assist with weight loss, build muscle, and even improve cognitive function 🐾

Veterinarians have a host of therapeutic options for their patients suffering from OA, including oral medications, targeted joint injections, supplements, weight management, as well as modalities, such as shockwave therapy or photobiomodulation, and acupuncture. Each therapy consideration has its un...

10/03/2026

Another lovely review 🥰

It means a lot to me and my team when we get feedback and it helps others to have confidence in choosing us for their animals 🐶 🐾

07/03/2026

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

02/03/2026

Due to high demand and full booking, I have added an additional 10 SPACES.

If you have a Doodle who barks excessively, reacts to other dogs or people, or seems highly sensitive to their surroundings, this is for you.

On Monday 30th March at 7pm, I am hosting a free live webinar where I will help you understand what is really happening beneath reactive behaviour.

During this 60 minute session, I will cover:

• What reactivity really is and what it is not
• Why Doodles can be prone to over arousal
• Understanding thresholds and trigger stacking
• Practical first steps you can take straight away

There will also be a live Q and A session at the end so you can ask your questions.

Reactivity can feel overwhelming and isolating. When you understand the emotional drivers behind behaviour, everything becomes clearer.

All attendees will also receive an exclusive 20 percent discount on my From Reactive to Relaxed online course.

To access the registration link, you must be a member of my Cockapoo and Doodle Dog Hub Facebook group. Join the group via the link in my bio or the comments and you will find full details there.

17/02/2026

Definitely recognise this! 😂😂😂