Being in Balance Physical Therapy

04/20/2026

Physical pain is often a cause of behavior issues in our dogs.

It's estimated that between 33-80% of dog and cat behavior cases have an underlying pain component.

This is a wide range, which only makes it more important to accurately rule out or confirm pain with the best of our abilities as animal medical professionals.

When an animal isn't feeling well physically, we cannot expect them to be at their "best".

Behavioral concerns, like aggression and noise sensitivity, can be exacerbated by painful conditions like osteoarthritis, GI upset, allergies, and more.

More and more studies are showing that pain and behavior problems are significantly correlated, with pain often being an underlying cause or contributing factor to what seems to be purely behavioral issues.

"Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs"
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071134/

04/16/2026

It’s not just you. Many people “hit a wall” when receiving physical therapy services.

That doesn’t mean that PT isn’t for you.

Every practitioner has a unique skill set and background.

Those who work for large healthcare systems are sometimes limited in what / how they are allowed to treat their patients.

If you need a fresh set of eyes to help you through that wall, contact me for a free phone consult. 510-543-1637.

03/12/2026

When lockdown started in 2020, I thought that I was going to hate providing virtual Physical Therapy sessions.

I was so wrong.

It was such a challenge to be more creative with both my assessment and my treatment techniques.

Fast forward 6 years, and I am still providing virtual sessions for my human clients.

Just this morning, I helped a client palpate her own Median Nerve and find 2 areas of adhesion. Virtually!

Now our treatment plan is even more specific.

Virtual sessions available for clients in Oregon, Washington, and California.

03/09/2026

Messages like this from clients make my heart so happy. 🐾💛🐾

When dogs start to feel better, they naturally resume the activities that they used to do.

Returning to movements, postures, and activities that were part of their routine before the injury/surgery/pain is a sign that things are moving in the right direction.

Canine Physical Therapy services can speed up their recovery.

I’m so glad to be able to help Duncan get back to being part of the family. 🐕

03/05/2026

I’m now one of 10 practitioners in the US to have completed the McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release Level 2 training!

This gentle and effective work makes such a difference for scars from

Mohs surgery
Breast cancer
Top surgery
C-sections
Joint replacements
Any abdominal surgery

Wondering if you could benefit? Schedule a free phone consult at 510-543-1637.

02/18/2026

In dogs, improved posture = better muscle strength = a more resilient body.

It doesn’t take much to make a difference.

Check out the difference in Harlow’s standing posture with JUST 2 WEEKS of foundational exercises.

Hind legs wide = core and hind limb weakness = increased risk for falls/injuries

Hind legs narrower = improved core and hind leg strength = increased chance of a longer and healthier life!

02/02/2026

01/26/2026

I love learning new manual physical therapy techniques. I especially love it when the technique works well on both humans and canines!

After a single session of Dermoneuromodulation, here is what a human client had to say:

“My arm is doing great! When I was getting ready for bed, I was able to lift my arm fully above my head AND put it behind my back! The band of pain around my upper arm hasn’t been there and the back of my shoulder feels much more relaxed.”

I tried the same technique on the dog below.

She usually moves around a lot, and it’s hard to get her to stay in one place (even when motivated by wonderfully tasty treats).

While I performed the Dermoneuromodulation technique, she sat still in my lap for 4 minutes! That’s a win!

01/19/2026

I have had a couple of clients this week with pain after rock climbing.

One was a minor exacerbation of an existing issue.

One was a new and moderate injury.

The beginning of the year often involves starting new physical activities.

If you end up with pain that’s lasting more than 48 hours, call me for a free phone consult at 510-543-1637.

Letting the pain continue will create compensation patterns that increase your risk of injury in the future.

01/14/2026

Some days at work, everyone wants to sit in your lap. 🐾💛🐾 We got some good work done, too! Home programs for strengthening, manual therapy that calms the whole system down, and plans to maintain conditioning for the future.

01/13/2026

2026 marks 10 years of private practice and almost 30 years of working in the physical therapy industry.

How time flies!

Today, I run an exclusive practice devoted to providing specialized physical therapy for dogs and humans.

Access to your PT between appointments.

Premium care at competitive prices.

Office visits or home visits available.

Free phone consults before booking. 510-543-1637

12/19/2025

Treating scars isn’t just about how the scar looks. It’s about re-wiring the way your brain uses muscles near the scar.

Have you ever had a surgery and then felt like your muscles just worked a bit differently afterwards?

These compensation patterns often lead to pain in neighboring areas.

Exercise alone is NOT enough to correct the compensations.

You will see significant change in just a few sessions.

Text me at 510-543-1637 to set up a free phone consultation.

www.mstr.international

Also see our new free presentation about fascia and scarring at:

www.mcloughlin-scar-release.com