Now that being said, complementary therapies can be perform:
- while waiting for the veterinarian to make the horse as comfortable as possible
- after the veterinarian's visit to support the recovery
- as a preventive treatment.
Marma therapy is a specialty of Ayurveda. Marma points are special point of energy throughout the entire body. They are much like acupuncture points of Traditional Chinese medicine. Marma Therapy consists of treating the marma point with massage, direct pressure, touch, essential oils or herbal paste. It addresses the prana or life force in the body.
Marma Therapy is a great complementary treatment when it comes to colic. Working the marma points relative to digestion will:
- help with abdominal discomfort
- relieve pain
- relax the muscle system
- promote bowel movement by assisting the elimination process
- support the digestive organs
- strengthen the mind
- help increase circulation
- build immune system
- assist digestion.
If a horse has a tendency to colic or if it presents a risk of colic, a marma treatment may be perform as a preventive therapy.
** This post was written after I saw a horse who just had an episode of colic in the morning. The vet had already come but I've been asked by the owner to see the horse to support the recovery. I used the marma point to help digestion and belly movement. After a few point (solar plexus, top of head, navel, SI joints, legs) the mare started to release gases and soon enough I could hear bowel noise. One hour and a half later she had bowel movement and her manure looked good. **
