The overriding principle applied here is that:

“Structure governs function and function modifies structure”.

Structural conformation is assessed to discuss morphological physical capacities, strengths and limitations.

Structural and postural conformation is……

Muscular conformation is assessed and evaluated to determine preferred postures and asymmetry caused by long term movement deficiencies.

Antalgic (pain-avoiding) postures produce an alteration in body mechanics. Over time, the altered mechanics of the posture will overload ‘compensatory’ muscle groups, causing secondary issues such as gait abnormalities and ‘contractures’ within specific muscles. This usually contributes to muscular overload.

To determine how the conformation impacts on the functionality of the horse the gait is closely observed as each horse is walked and trotted out, led, backed and turned to assess for:

• Straightness
• Head carriage
• Articulation of spine
• Equal use of pairs of limb
• Range Of Motion (ROM) of joints
• Individual hoof placement
• Neurological proprioception dysfunction (spacial perception)
• Flight patterns

JENT incorporates the use of 3 types of near-infrared red lights at different intensities as integral elements of the systems’ overall effectiveness; they are:

• Photonic SLED Red Lights
• The QUANTUM WARP 10 SS-LED Phototherapy unit
• The Erchonia PL5000 class II Low Level Light ‘Cold’ Laser

Designed to stimulate acupoints, which are just on and under the epidermal layer of the skin and have been called ‘subcutaneous photo receptors’ by Veterinarian Dr Brian McLaren, unarguably the world’s top authority on Photonic Red Light Acupoint therapy.

When Photonic Red light is placed on known acupoints (acupuncture / acupressure points) for just a few seconds, it excites nerve arousal through the intraneural collagen matrix of the body and stimulates the brain to release neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in response. Red light thus becomes a medium with which we can activate the acupuncture points of Treatment Plans as available in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) studies. Photonic Red Light effectively provides an excellent alternative to needling, negating any requirement to penetrate the skin to produce the result. This approach is fast, easy, safe, non-penetrative or intrusive.

Tensegrity = Tensional Integrity

Dianne’s 43 years in the horse industry and 20 years of empirical experimentation in her JENT interventions is seminal work, and has now been supported by Myofascial Mechanoreceptor research done by Professor Robert Schleip PhD, and discussed in his paper, ‘Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation’. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (2003).

Fascia envelops all organs and plays a particularly important regulatory role in the tensegrity of the musculo-skeletal tissues. Professor Schleip from the ‘Fascial Research Project’ in Ulm University in Germany reports that fascia has up to 10 times more sensory nerve supply than muscle. Schleip refers to these as ‘interstitial myofascial tissue receptors’ stating that most of them originate in ’free nerve endings’. Research cited by Schleip by Mitchell and Schmitt (1977) has shown that ‘the majority of these interstitial nerve receptors do in fact function as mechanoreceptors, which means they respond to mechanical tension and / or pressure’.

This new appreciation of the nerve rich innervation of fascia has led to us taking Schleip’s recommendation and renaming Fascia as ‘Neuro-Myo-Fascia’ (NMF). This more technical term supports what we know about ‘fascial distortions’ from the thousands of trial and error interventions Dianne has undertaken with her clients.

There is no doubting the benefits of ‘hands-on’ deep remedial massage and soft tissue therapies.

A ‘healing tactile touch’ has been enjoyed and revered for thousands of years. In recent times they have been rigorously researched to reveal the repeatable biological principles of their mechanisms. In addition to the physical benefits, clients often demonstrate welcome feelings of euphoric relaxation and well-being.

The reasons for this is becomes more clear as we appreciate to role that the neuromyofascia plays in regulating biomechanics and sympathetic nervous system activation. It has recently been determined that the ‘fascia’ is much more than just connective tissues; in fact it is 10 times more enervated than the muscles. The implications of this is enormous and explains why we all respond so well to light to firm soft tissue massage.

In fact the most skilled practitioners can activate self-healing, repair and regenerative responses in their clients. Our three main domesticated animals – dogs, cats and horses – all love being massaged.

This technology uses a low-mass / high-acceleration force generated by a variable spring loaded ‘accelerometer’ to send a rapid ‘kinetic pulse’ into and along the spineous process of each vertebral segment and into the Central Nervous System (CNS). The energy produced by the kinetic pulse re-initiates or ‘kick-starts’ normal neuronal transmission from the CNS that has fallen out of ‘communication’ with the brain and the peripheral nerves due to injury or disease.

Reduced neuronal transmission from the CNS to the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) affects specific parts of the viscera such as the extremities and organs. In simple words, when a horse falls heavily, is cast or is caught in wire fencing and struggles hard, they can incur neuronal subluxations, i.e. the nerve impulse connection is lost between the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves that branch out from either side of each vertebra. Muscular tension sets in and fascial tissue thickens becoing fibrous and holding the problem in place unless treated. The spine loses is articulation and flexibility and organs and limbs can lose their normal nerve impulses.

Three kinetic passes using an accelerometer on the transverse or spinous process of each vertebral body resets or ‘switches back on’ normal neuronal transmission from each affected vertebral segment to re-enervate all systems ‘downstream’, fed by that segment. Typically during that process reflexive ‘reads’ can be felt and seen indicating the presence of a neural subluxation. As the nervous transmission is ‘switched’ back on these reads disappear. Restorative bloodflow is also induced into compressed spinal complexes.When myofascial release is then employed muscular relaxation is restored. Flexibility of the neck and back returns with exercise and stretching, and horses can once again use themselves more effectively improving their performance.

The stimulation of self-healing is the result. VONIT relies on an animals innate ability to heal itself once neuronal integration is restored.

This procedure was devised and refined by Dr William INMAN Veterinary Surgeon in US. See www.vomtech.com Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) is widely used in the US and Canada as a harmless, non-invasive, non-painful and highly effective health care intervention.

Dianne was invited to the US in Nov 2013 to train in Veterinary Orthopaedic Manipulation (VOM) also known as Veterinary Orthopaedic Neurological Integration Technology (VONIT) and in the use of the Erchonia PL5000 Laser by Dr William Inman (see: http://www.vomtech.com/). This is a Low Level Light Laser; also known as – LLLT or 3LT®, or as a cold laser as it produces not thermal energy.

Low Level Laser

She then returned in July 2014 to receive advanced training in the application of the PL5000 with 60 Vets and Chiropractors.

The biological effects of has been well researched and documented. It is a unique field of self-repair and regenerative ‘energy’ medicine that can do no harm.

The mechanism of action is at a cellular level.

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that light photons, delivered at the correct wavelength spectrum, when irradiating tissue with a receptive absorption spectrum, repairs and stimulates mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) by exciting high energy electrons in a photo-receptive molecule called cytochrome-c-oxidase, to begin an ATP cascade.

ATP is a Tri Phosphate molecule and releases energy to excite a cascade of biological effects such as cellular division, which are then used to support and direct maintenance and metabolism in the cells and tissues; simultaneously producing effects at organ-systemic and symptomatic-therapeutic levels.

Essentially as the cell repairs or regenerates and heals, synergistic metabolism ensues and the organ systems cooperate for an enhanced effect, resuming equilibrium and normal functioning.

The resumption of proper organ function will then reduce signs / symptoms that were the hallmark of any disease processes and are a ‘barometer’ in the evaluation of the healing process.

At the therapeutic level, as the organs resume their functionality the signs / symptoms resolve and we see the organism repair and heal.

Simply put, the stimulus of the red light laser induces a self-repair and regeneration effect.

Stretching is an Integral Component of JENT.

After neuromyofascial correction it is essential to take the horse through a series of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretches to let them feel the difference as an adjunct to retraining the muscle memory.

The horse is gradually taken through a series of full range postures and allowed to lean into the static pressure stimulating the proprioceptors to release. This has two effects:

• Increase in ROM

• Increase in confidence

Recovery is the key to Remodelling. Each horse will accept and process the changes differently according to their predisposition, temperament, age, general health and how long the issues have been present.

Immediately after a JENT session horses should be quietly walked in straight lines for 15 mins and then allowed to rest quietly for an hour or so. They can then be turned out or travel.An ‘active recovery’ exercise and rehabilitation program is advised, discussed and formulated to optimise the horse’s performance.

During the neuromyofascial remodelling / realigning phase of the program between sessions 1 & 2, horses are not to be ridden or lunged and if driven, are not circled, or worked hard for long periods or asked for collected or extended paces. Exercise in a mechanical walker or hand-led on soft ground is recommended to promote sustainable neuromyofascial / postural changes. Recovery rates depend on the individual horse’s health and the extent of pathology/damage present.

After the first JENT session horses often appear tired and exhausted. It appears that they process relief after the release from the tyranny of constant low grade pain and discomfort. To recuperate, they need lots of rest to integrate the changes. Spending hours out in the field is an ideal remedial recovery, as they innately know how to care for themselves and wandering around at liberty for the better part of the day will assist faster more progressive results. During this period some horses are a little uncoordinated in their paces, as they develop a spacial and temporal perception, this can make them appear mentally scattered, irritable or just plain grouchy. It’s a normal response, as the issues addressed may have been carried in the body for the whole of the horse’s life.

As the changes are integrated into a new way of carriage, they usually become bright again within 2-3 days.

These ‘recovery’ behaviours do not reoccur after the second and subsequent sessions.

EquineIR in Australia – “The IRT Camera Sees what the Horse can’t Say”

JENT uses the latest FLIR T400 Series Thermal camera; see: www.flir.com/

We take advantage of InfraRed Thermography (IRT) technology by offering a full scan of your horse prior to, during and after treatment to detect anomalies in your horse’s unique infrared signature to confirm our JENT analysis and/or to refer through for Veterinary intervention. These ‘heat’ anomalies (when interpreted accurately by a Veterinary specialist) are highly correlated with either infection or inflammation and pain, which shows up just before serious injury or with abnormal function.