What is the Theraplate?
The Theraplate has been designed by experts and is the result of more than 30 years of experience. This technology can be used in the treatment and prevention of injuries and other debilitating conditions in horses, humans and other animals. It offers ZERO impact experience, so you get the benefits without further injury or aggravating existing conditions. The Theraplate is a totally unique therapy platform which uses advanced, patented technology called Vortex Wave Circulation (VWC).
This patented technology is what sets the Theraplate aside from other Whole-Body Vibrating (WBV) platforms. The Theraplate motors move in a circular motion, which when an object is placed on the platform creates a centrifugal force, similar to a whirl pool or an airplane engine. This circular force acts on the whole body by increasing circulation, initiates involuntary muscle contractions targeting areas of muscle and bone damage, regenerates cells and makes tissues and bones stronger, so can be used from the very start of a recovery or rehabilitation program and is impact free with minimal wear and tear on the body.
The intention of the vortex waves is to reach deep into the tissues, potentially addressing areas that may be challenging to treat using other methods. These rapid tiny motions travel through the whole body, increasing blood and lymph flow.
The Theraplate just doesn’t treat problems; it helps prevent them. Horses dealing with arthritis, post-surgery recovery, or simply the aches of aging benefit from improved mobility, less stiffness, and faster healing. Even active, sporty horses thrive with sessions that support muscle health and keep joints happy.
VIDEO – A visual representation of this is when putting a glass of water on the Theraplate. The water represents blood and lymphatic fluid; the glass represents the rest of the body. Watch how the water is stimulated but does not splash over the edge as the glass is completely still. Circulation is being stimulated without aggravation to bones or joints.
Theraplate verses Vibrating Platforms
Unlike Whole Body Vibration plates, that move up and down or side to side and shake the body, these motions can cause joint and jarring injuries. The Theraplate using Vortex Wave Circulation (VWC) which does not produce any form of vibration or shaking motion. Vortex Wave therapy is impact and concussion free so injuries will not be further aggravated. The Theraplate does not Vibrate!!!! It is a zero-impact experience to the body and so does not aggravate any existing conditions, which can be a cause for concern with vibration technology.
Benefits – What can the Theraplate be used for?
The Theraplate operates on the principle that alternating circular waves can positively impact blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and tissue oxygen levels, which in turn leads to reduced inflammation and support to the body’s natural healing processes. VWC therapy administered through Theraplate is seen as a complimentary therapy for a variety of chronic conditions, widely used for rehabilitation and recovery following injury or exertion and also in the prevention of injury and general wellbeing therapy. The patented Theraplate is proven to counter the effects of chronic inflammation conditions, speed healing, reduce pain, and aid in the prevention of injury. The Theraplate is easy to use, proven effective, portable and very affordable. Introducing animals to the Theraplate is so simple. Animals quickly express that they are enjoying the relaxing and beneficial daily sessions on the Theraplate. The patented platform is proven to counter the effects of chronic inflammation conditions, speed healing, reduce pain, and aid in the prevention of injury. Treatment is suitable for horses, humans and other animals.
Aiding the recovery and/or support a wide range of injuries and conditions, such as breaks, tendon tears, muscle strains/ atrophy, Laminitis and Cushing’s to name just a few. Basically, if increased blood flow would help recovery, the Theraplate is the tool for the job!
What Equine conditions can Theraplate sessions improve?
Due to the Theraplate being non-invasive and concussion free it can be used from the very start of any recovery and/or rehabilitation program. The Theraplate is not just for recovery or rehabilitation though, it can be utilised for maintenance and prevention too. Theraplate can be used for many, many conditions. Essentially anything that can be helped by increased circulation can be helped by Theraplate.
Swelling / Inflammation:
can be secondary to a lot of conditions and not always visible. Swelling can be seen after a clear injury like a kick, or an infection like Cellulitis. However, some inflammation is not quite so obvious to the eye, like that associated with arthritis or laminitis. Inflammation is the part of the body’s defense system. It is the process by which the immune system recognises and removes harmful and foreign stimuli and begins the healing process. Inflammation can be acute (starts rapidly and becomes severe in a short time) or chronic (slow, long term, lasting for prolonged periods of time). Improving circulation increases blood flow and more oxygen and nutrients will be utilised in the tissues. Oxygen and nutrients fuel the growth of new tissue. Healthy circulation decreases the likelihood of acute inflammation persisting. In some instances, simply reducing inflammation is enough to reduce pain and accelerate recovery.
Foot Conditions / Hoof: (Abscesses – Fractures – Improve hoof conditions – Increasing digital cushion circulation)
Helping to improve blood flow into the hooves can aid in clearing and cleaning the circulatory and lymphatic systems and abscesses. Increase healing of fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, increasing the circulation helps to reduce inflammation, aid pain relief within the foot and stimulate hoof growth.
Tendon, Ligament and Cartilage Injuries: (Sprains, Strains, Ruptures of Check, Collateral, Dorsal spinal, Sacroiliac ligaments and Suspensory / SDFT – Superficial digital flexor tendon, DDFT – Deep digital flexor tendons, Bowed tendons and meniscal injuries).
Horses have poor blood flow to the feet and legs, Increasing the blood flow to the damaged fibres improves circulation delivery of essential oxygen and nutrients to fuel the growth of healthy new tissue after injury. It also decreases the likelihood of acute inflammation persisting and contributing to further injury, improving the body’s natural ability to heal itself improve healing by up to 50% faster using the Theraplate.
Bones: smooth and improve Bone spurs, decreases healing time of Bucked shins, Splints, Fractures. Increases and Improves bone density ideal for horse on box rest or recovery from injury and has a reduced work load
Nutrients and oxygen are transported around the body by the blood towards the injury site which enables the cells to have what they need for promoting new bone formation growth and repair, while removing the waste for the injury site, reducing inflammation, soreness and relieving pain.
Arthritis / Joint Stiffness: from injuries (Acute or Chronic) or old age, (Cervical – Neck, back, shoulder, elbow, carpus, knee, hips, stifle, hock, fetlock, pastern and coffin). Osteoarthritis (OA)- Joint wear and tear of cartilage leading to bone on bone or Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) An immune system attack, the immune system damages the joint. Increasing circulation throughout the body including within the joints, using the Theraplate will results in an increase of a steady supply of nourishing oxygen and nutrients in to the synovial membrane as well reducing inflammation between bone on bone.
Muscular: increases and develops muscle tone without impact on joints and soft tissues. Builds lean and even muscle distribution throughout the whole body. Improves muscle atrophy, muscle soreness and muscle damage, including PSSM and tying up, by removing the toxins and lactic acid from the muscles and increasing the blood flow and repair of these damaged muscles, also helps loosen muscles up for pre / post-performance / Race / Pre-show, while aiding the relaxation of the muscles. Preventing muscle related problems, reducing the risk of injury
Lungs – Improves breathing conditions by loosening mucus in the lungs and reducing inflammations and fluid in and around the lungs. Aiding symptoms for Asthma and Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (Bleeders)
Stomach – increasing blood flow to Ulcers in the stomach can speed up healing, increasing the blood and the fluid flow in the body can help to move colic impactions and reduce a gassy stomach
Blood and Lymphatic’s – The rapidly repeated muscle contractions create an efficient skeletal muscle pump effect, which facilitates the movement of blood and lymph through vessels intertwined within the muscles. This effect enhances peripheral circulation, especially for microcirculation, an area where the cardiovascular system falls short.
Stimulating and improving blood circulation, improves blood and fluid flow around the body reducing fluid build-up around the body and stocking build up in the legs, improving inflammation with the legs can improve Cellulitis, Lymphatic conditions and CPL.
Hormonal Condtions – EMS and Cushing’s:
- EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) is similar to type 2 diabetes in humans, insulin resistance. Horses with EMS often also have poor circulation. Increased circulation is a direct result of exercise and it is proven that exercise improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, but for a horse suffering with laminitis exercise of any significance can be difficult. A session on a Theraplate can increase circulation by up to five times the resting rate safely and effectively without any undue stress to the horse. In fact, the horse doesn’t even need to leave its stable!
- Cushing’s Disease (Pituitary Dysfunction- PPID). Theraplate will primarily aid the management of associated symptoms like laminitis, poor circulation and muscle issues while reducing cortisol levels
Wound Healing – increasing blood flow to a new wound, will increase healing time and recovery rate. Improving elasticity of scar tissue in old wounds and tendons
Neurological Conditions – Wobblers and trapped nerves can be improved by stimulating muscle contractions and increase circulation to the damaged nerves and improving balance
Well Being and Overall Health
Increased joint mobility & flexibility, muscle tone and conditioning. Relieving stress & anxiety in performance animals. Prevent further injuries, reduce inflammation around the body, improve performance your animals focus during training.
Case Studies
Arthritis – Meta and Ace have had regular individual sessions for arthritis, video evidence can see how they are both walking before the sessions, and how they are both more flexible and supple after the session. Owners of both Meta and Ace report improvements in the way they both go in their work, Meta struggles to pick up canter on one side, after the sessions she has made a large improvement in attempting and cantering on her weaker side.
Cushings
Paddy has Cushing’s and without tablets the Theraplate has been able to reduce his ACTH levels. Scientific Study – read here.
Muscle Mass increased in a horse on box
Carumba was on box rest for 4 months due to a hock injury, he gained more muscle mass having been on the Theraplate regulator during his box rest than when he started on rest – Scientific Study, link coming soon.
Laminitis / Asthma
Stanly, my little Shetland has had his fair share of challenges having previously struggled with laminitis as well as asthma. Since hiring Katie’s Theraplate we’ve seen such a positive change in him, his stiffness has really improved, he’s moving more freely and comfortably and its also helping his breathing by keeping everything draining and moving as it should after his dry salt sessions. The biggest sign of all is how much he enjoys it. He will happily stand on the plate by himself without encouragement. it’s been a fantastic addition to his routine and will definitely be a regular part of his ongoing care. I’m so pleased with how well he is doing – Lydia & Stanley (Hired the Theraplate)
Theraplate Research
Theraplate has been the subject of more than 200 peer-reviewed clinical studies as well as studies and trials in university veterinary and physical-therapy programs. The studies show the application of the Vortex Wave therapy in the rehabilitation of common problems found in horses of all disciplines including navicular, bowed tendons, back soreness, arthritis, poor hoof growth, PSSM and more.A common result in all clinical studies and personal testimonies from Theraplate users was the reduction of healing time and creating a second chance for animals and people.
Improvements of Muscle mass using the Theraplate while on box rest – link coming soon.
The Science – blood flow and why it matters
Increased blood flow means that blood moves more efficiently through your veins and arteries. This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body, the muscles, organs and tissues in a better way
so when blood flow is slow or blocked, your cells can’t get what they need to function properly. This can lead to feelings of tiredness, achy muscles. By improving you circulation using the Theraplate, it helps encourage your blood to travel around the body removing waste materials. Swelling in the legs often happens when fluid builds up in your tissues due to poor circulation. Think of it like a clogged drain in your sink—water can’t go down properly and starts to collect. In the legs, when blood doesn’t flow well, it can cause fluid leakage into the surrounding tissues. Theraplate helps keep fluid from building up, reducing swelling and discomfort.
Why Is Healthy Blood Flow Important?
Healthy blood flow throughout the body is vital for supporting the proper function of every bodily system. The blood is responsible for carrying necessary nutrients to every body part. The most important of these nutrients is oxygen, as blood flows through the lungs, carries oxygen throughout the body, and returns to the lungs to resupply. Healthy blood flow offers many important benefits for the body. For example, increased blood flow to muscles during exercise allows them to perform the same amount of work with reduced effort compared to muscles under typical function. Better blood flow to your muscles also supports muscle growth and energy output. As part of the healing process, blood flow becomes even more critical, as your body needs even more nutrients to support the recovery of an injury.
How Does an Injury Heal?
Just as increased blood flow provides several benefits during regular daily functions, it has a key role in healing. By understanding how injuries heal, we can better understand how blood flow plays a part in the healing.
Muscular or other tissue injuries usually occur due to a contusion or strain. Contusions result from trauma or force directed to the muscle, and strains result from too much stress on the fibres through movement or a stretch in the wrong direction. In a tissue injury, muscle fibres and blood vessels can tear.
After an injury, like a sprain or muscle tear, the first step in muscle repair is repairing torn capillaries and forming new ones around the injury. These capillaries help increase blood flow to the area and support the regeneration of new cells. Blood then carries macrophages and other important cells to the area to remove dead tissue and begin regenerating the damaged fibres.
The body can pinpoint where more blood flow is needed and enhance circulation to that area. Overall, blood flow is vital to healing joint, muscle, and tissue injuries. Blood flow carries oxygen and nutrients to the site of an injury. Oxygen helps support cell growth and protein synthesis, which are key parts of recovery.
Not only does the blood carry important nutrients throughout the body and to the site of an injury, but it also carries waste away from the injury. Recovery involves many chemical processes, which consist of cells using important nutrients that they need, creating waste that these tissues do not need. The blood picks up this waste and carries it to the kidneys, where they filter it out of the body. Improved circulation allows damaged tissues to get nutrients and eliminate waste faster, allowing the injury to heal sooner.
How To Increase Circulation and Healing: The Connection You Can’t Ignore
Your body has an incredible ability to heal itself. Whether you’ve scraped your knee, sprained an ankle, or undergone surgery, your body gets to work repairing the damage almost immediately. But this remarkable process doesn’t happen in isolation. It relies on one critical system: your circulation. Without proper blood flow, your body struggles to deliver the oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells needed to repair tissue and fight infection. Understanding the relationship between circulation and healing can help you take proactive steps to promote faster recovery and prevent complications.
When it comes to healing and performance, blood circulation plays a far greater role than most people realize. The circulatory system is the body’s transportation network, a vast system of arteries, veins, and capillaries that carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to every cell while removing waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
After any physical activity, from a light jog to an intense workout, the body enters a recovery phase where it repairs tiny muscle fibres, restores energy stores, and reduces inflammation. For this recovery process to happen efficiently, the muscles need a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, which can only be delivered through healthy blood flow.
When circulation is poor, this process slows down. Muscles take longer to repair, fatigue lingers, and soreness can become more intense. In contrast, when blood flows freely with the help of the Theraplate, nutrients reach the muscles faster, damaged tissues heal quicker, and the body bounces back stronger. In short, good circulation isn’t just about feeling warm or energized, it’s the foundation of effective recovery.
Price Hire Cost
Home Hire
£15.00 per day – minimal hire is 3 weeks (21 days).
Using the K21 Theraplate for Horses (7ft x 3ft).
Using the K12 Theraplate for Shetland ponies (3ft x 2ft).
Price includes delivery, set-up, demonstration, remote support and collection. Can be used up to 3 times a day for intensive treatments for chronic or severe conditions or fractures.
What is needed to be able to hire the Theraplate
- A covered area / stable where the Theraplate will be placed and left for the duration of the hire period, away from loose horses and yard traffic to avoid damage to the machine. The K21 is the largest in the Theraplate family measuring 3ft wide and 7ft long, perfect for all Equines.
- A secure yard for the Theraplate to be left.
- Payment – if by bank transfer, must be paid 24 hours before the Theraplate is delivered and the hire period starts. If cash, cash on arrival of delivery to your yard.
- A horses health and consent form must be completed and signed upon Theraplate arrival.
Recognised as a TheraPlate Specialist by IATS (The International Association of TheraPlate Specialists)
