Beagle Obesity Exploring the Benefits of Canine Massage

Benefits

What are the benefits of Therapeutic Canine massage?

Because Canine massage positively influences all 11 of the systems in your dogs body it can have a profound effect on your dogs general health and wellbeing.

Probably of most importance is its impact on their musculoskeletal, lymphatic and circulatory systems as massage of the body provides direct contact to these systems.

Orthopaedic conditions affect many of our canine companions and whilst massage cannot change these medical conditions it can be of significant support in the management of conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Elbow and Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Spondylosis.

Like in humans canine massage not only supports mobility issues but it also has a positive influence on the immune system by helping to flush out toxins and cellular waste.

Canine massage greatly influences the nervous system, especially the autonomic nervous system that can help calm your dog by relieving stress and anxiety.

Massage can promote healthy skin and hair by nourishing the skin and hair follicles through the actual action of massage. It also encourages blood and nutrients to rise to the skin, which encourages a healthy coat.

There are numerous benefits of canine massage including;

• Releases adhesions, trigger points and restrictions in the fascia and muscles that cause referred pain and create problems with natural movement
• Release of muscle tension providing drug free non-invasive pain relief
• Helps in the remodelling of scar tissue and reducing scar tissue adhesions
• Influences the autonomic nervous system in terms of both stimulating and energising the body and also calming the body by bringing a sedative effect to mind and body hence promoting relaxation, improving mood and helping anxiety and stress
• Keeps muscles healthy thus allowing smoother movement of joints which supports structural integrity, posture and balance
• Improves gait by encouraging biomechanical balance
• Increasing cardiovascular flow; i.e. bringing nutrients to the muscles, and especially to areas of injury, and removing waste and debris of cellular function
• Helping rehabilitation by promoting muscle tone, function and strength
• Supports the management of Orthopaedic conditions
• Helps stimulate the lymphatic system cleansing the body of waste and toxins thus supporting the immune system and strengthen resistance to disease
• Supports joint function and mobility by keeping tendons and ligaments functional and strong allowing and encouraging optimal range of motion hence giving your dog freedom of movement
• Increased energy levels
• Alleviates age related disorders
• Speeds recovery from exercise and injury
• Improves performance in agility, obedience and working dogs
• Reduce post surgery recovery times
• Helps regulate breathing and digestion
• Improves the health of the skin and coat encouraging shine and vibrancy and improves elasticity and normalises glandular functions i.e. sebum production that helps the skins suppleness and resistance to infection. Also helps regenerate tissue thus assisting with wound healing

What results can I expect to see?

There are many results owners have reported in seeing, however it should be stressed that because every dog is different in age, body type, history and lifestyle reactions to massage may vary. Here are some typical results observed:

• Reduced pain and discomfort
• Better focus and concentration
• Reduction of nervousness
• A healthier and shinier looking coat
• Reduction or elimination of lameness
• Ability to weight bear on all four limbs equally
• Improved movement and / or range of movement
• Willingness to go on walks and play
• Improvement in energy levels
• Happier mood
• Redevelopment of muscle tone where lost
• Happier and more comfortable sleep
• Faster recovery from injury or surgery
• Ability to go on longer walks
• No twitching or sensitivity down the back
• Friendlier dog, more loving and willing to be touched
• Ability to get in and out of car/ up on the chair or sofa/up and down stairs
• Improved speed and performance i.e. in agility or working dogs,
• For older dogs owners can see a decrease in stiffness, easier to get up or lay down, more engaged in life
• In overweight dogs owners have seen weight loss
• A stronger top line or straightness of their back or spine

To hear about some of the great things Canine Massage has done for my clients , visit my Customer Reviews page.

CANINE MASSAGE: BENEFITS AND DIFFERENCES FROM HUMAN MASSAGE

Long ago, we accepted the power of massage for helping us bipeds cope and alleviate the effects of stress and physical and emotional imbalances. We have been massaging each other for hundreds of thousands of years. Now, we are finally using massage to comfort and help our pet animals.

The Little Things Still Matter

Everyone knows how to pet and scratch a dog. Petting and scratching dogs is one of the great pleasures in life, for both dogs and their attentive people. Everyone who pets and scratches their dog sees how much their dog enjoys it. Petting, scratching and rubbing are aspects of pet massage,but they are not the whole story.

Pet massage is substantiallyprofoundlymore and different. Consider the difference between the results of a casual shoulder squeeze and the way your body feels after an hour-long therapeutic massage session.

The shoulder squeeze may offer a slight amount of brief, pleasant relief; the full-body massage, on the other hand, can create a course adjustment to your body that can alter your entire quality of life.

What Are the Benefits?

The benefits that dogs get frompet massageare similar to the benefits bipeds get. We have evidence pet massage affects mood, chronic anxieties, such as dog and food aggression and separation issues.

We know competition dogs have better times and less injuries when they get pet massage. Weve seen young dogs who are exhibiting growing pains find relief and old dogs, who can barely move, rise up and dance around like puppies.

Youve heard the list of benefits before.

Massage increases and balances the circulation of all the fluids in the body. This includes blood, lymph, cerebral spinal fluid, interstitial fluids, cellular fluid, saliva, urine, synovial fluid, the fluid in the eyeballs and even the oily wetness on your dogs nosethats a lot of fluids. The way fluids move in the dogs body is different.

Dogs do not perspire through their skin (largest organ of the body). They have a different system of temperature control than we humans. The closest they come to perspiration is wicking off heat through the evaporation of their saliva and release of moisture from between the pads of their paws.

Dogs get sweaty palms, too. Mostly, temperature is controlled through conduction. When dogs are hot, they lay on the cool ground. When they are cold, they retain their body heat by curling up into a ball.

They Heal Themselves

Pet massage supports the balance and circulation of fluids within the fascia. The movement of water within the tissues controls the temperatures throughout their bodies, including core temperatures, organ temperatures, as well as temperatures of the skin and superficial muscles.

The normal wear and tear of muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin and fascia that dogs have from romping and playing keep their bodies in a constant state of self-repair and maintenance. Dogs, like humans, have the innate ability to heal themselves for most conditions.

Dogs, like humans, sometimes need external touch and support to re-establish balance

Differences between Human and Canine Massage

What are some of the differences between the massage you would give a human client and a massage you would give a dog?

With a dog, the practitioner must stay absolutely present, or else the dog will get up and walk away. A dog will not tolerate deep pressure that induces exquisite pain.

Dogs live in the moment and do not have the capacity to project into the future that relief may come after enduring discomfort. If it hurts now, it may hurt forever unless the dog does something to make it stop.

Moving away, yiping, snapping and biting are natural responses; although, I did have one client whose old fragile German Shepherd appreciated his masters touch so much that he stayed motionless even with the heavy-handed pressure his master used. It was sweet and at the same time, sad, to witness the dog enduring the massage, shuddering and wincing in pain.

Dogs use a wider, and different, range of senses than our paltry five. They are hardwired to notice sounds, movement and subtle nuances of smells. They are keenly aware of everything that is going on in the room and on the other side of the walls in the next room.

Utilizing Self-Awareness

So, an essential part of the role of a pet massage practitioner is self-awareness of body mechanics and body language.

Any inadvertent movement, such as holding ones breath or squaring ones shoulders, to the dog can quickly shift the dynamics of a session. The addition of aromas, or rather the lack of the introduction of aromas, is a big component of a session.

Dogs monitor the practitioners mood, thoughts, presence and level of support by tracking minute fragrance shifts in practitioner perspiration. I do not encourage the use of fragrant oils. Anything that masks this information complicates and diminishes, rather than enhances, a dogspet massageexperience.

Pet massageaccesses and supports the fluid energy within the tissues. In the process, it initiates subtle changes to the body. It supports the animals intuitive self-healing abilities.

Pet massagecombines the use of knowledgeable, compassionate touch, fascia releases, presence and understanding to effect inner body-language communication and resolution.

Author:Jonathan Rudinger, L.M.T.

Link:https://www.massagemag.com/canine-pet-massage-benefits-and-differences-from-human-massage-8714/

*Need help with your pet? Access our expert Teleconsultants here - from Vital Vet to your home.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Massage for Dogs: Understanding Trigger Points and Choosing the Right Massager

Our furry friends aren't just pets; they're family. And just like us, they benefit from treatments that improve their well-being and physical health. One such treatment that has garnered attention recently is the therapeutic massage for dogs.

The Magic of Massage

The touch of a gentle hand does more than just comfort. For dogs, massage offers a plethora of benefits. It aids in relaxation, promotes better circulation, provides pain relief, and fosters a deeper bond between the pet and its owner.

Delving into Trigger Points

But what are trigger points? These are sensitive areas in the muscle that can become sources of pain and discomfort. There are two main types:

• Active Trigger Points: These cause discomfort when pressed and can lead to pain in other parts of the body, a phenomenon known as referred pain.

• Latent Trigger Points: They don't cause spontaneous pain but can make movement difficult or lead to muscle weakness.

Referred pain can be deceptive. A trigger point in the shoulder, for example, might cause discomfort in the neck or back. It's essential to understand this interconnectivity to address pain effectively.

Canine Massage: The Benefits And Proper Technique

Not only is a canine massage enjoyable for our furry friends but its also proven to have many health benefits for them. You can perform a basic canine massage at home, and it only takes a few minutes. Plus, its a wonderful way to build and strengthen the bond you share with your canine companion.

The Benefits of Dog Massage

1. It Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Massage is proven to reduce stress and anxiety, which is a huge plus for any dog and especially helpful for pups that are easily stressed or worried. Like with humans who experience anxiety, anxious dogs can benefit from a consistent, reassuring routine. Incorporating massage into your dogs daily routine perhaps as a nighttime ritual or a morning routine can provide a comforting form of relaxation.

Gentle hands-on massage can effectively reduce everyday anxiety in our pups, including during stressful situations such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. Dogs really enjoy a good massage, as the physical contact can help calm them when anxious.

2. It Decreases Pain

Beyond the obvious benefits of relieving muscle tension, canine massage therapy can be a powerful tool for realigning the spine and body, which is great for your dogs health. Gentle rubbing and kneading on your dog can increase circulation to a sore area or joint. The gentle pressure of your hands causes tissues to contract and increases local blood flow. Take caution not to press too hard, and stop if your pet flinches, moves away, nips, or growls.

The act of massaging a dog stimulates the release of endorphins, which helps to alleviate pain. If your dog has spent a long day running, playing, or even swimming, this exertion can sometimes lead to soreness and stiffness in the joints and muscles. Massage will help to relax those muscles and release tense areas.

Dogs with conditions like arthritis will also appreciate massage for this reason. If your dog is recovering from a painful injury, you can ask your veterinarian if there are any specific massage techniques you can perform at home to relieve pain.

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3. It Assists in the Recovery Process

Canine massage can be a wonderful form of therapy for animals who are rehabilitating from an injury or surgery. Your vet may be able to show you specific massage techniques to help your fur baby along in the recovery process. Plus, its not only the injured area that can benefit from healing touch, so its helpful to take a holistic approach to massage in recovering dogs.

For example, to compensate for an injured leg, over time a dog will have put excessive stress and strain on many other muscle groups throughout the body. Therefore, their whole body can benefit from an efficient massage during recovery. This can really help your dog tremendously.

4. It Improves Circulation and Lymphatic Flow

Dog massage is great for increasing a dogs circulation and lymphatic flow, which benefits their entire body. Good circulation ensures your pup gets a healthy supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to their brain and other organs, and keeps their skin and coat healthy.

Improving the flow of the lymph fluid in the lymphatic system helps carry metabolic waste away from their muscles and internal organs. Your dog will have a better chance of avoiding certain health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body). There are so many important factors regarding your dogs health.

5. It Helps You Identify Potential Health Issues

The more you get familiar with your dogs skin and hair, the easier it will be to notice if something feels different or wrong. Another added benefit of regular canine massage is that you become familiar with your dogs body and can better recognize what is normal and not normal. This allows you to identify any trouble spots to bring to your veterinarians attention for further investigation.

As you massage your pup, look for any unusual swelling or lumps, changes in surface temperature, sensitivity to touch, or quality of skin or hair. Early detection is one way that regular massage can add to the length and quality of your dogs life. Dog massage is also vital to strengthening your pets immune system.

How to Massage Your Dog

Step 1: Slowly start dog massage therapy

Pick a quiet part of your living space for the massage to help your dog feel calm and secure. Do not try to start the massage if your pet is overly fearful or showing resistance. First, softly stroke the area of interest. Use flat palms to press against the skin lightly. Move your hands slowly using long, sweeping motions and in circular motions.

While massaging, take note of any swelling, increased sensitivity, and pain. Stop if it seems to hurt your dog in any way.

Step 2: Work on the whole body

Using the technique described above, start from the head and neck, and work down the body, gently increasing pressure if your dog seems to enjoy the massage therapy. Work in circular motions and sweeping motions. Do not press straight down on bones or joints. This can hurt them. Avoid all areas where your dog doesnt like to be touched.

Step 3: Focus on the base of the skull & tail

A gentle massage at the base of the skull and tail can stimulate relaxation. Remember to make the experience enjoyable for them, and be sure to stop if your dog recoils, cries out, yelps, or seems to be in pain.

Things to Keep in Mind

The main thing to remember when massaging your dog at home is that you want to use gentle motions and techniques to ensure theyre comfortable throughout the entire process. While some humans may enjoy deep tissue massage, with dogs, its best to use light pressure and avoid anything fast, hard, or abrupt to prevent any adverse effects. Dog massage should be done with more caution, and be sure to give them plenty of treats as a reward.

Three massage techniques that are simple enough for you to do at home while still providing your dog with the wonderful health benefits canine massage has to offer are outlined here:

• Effleurage Long, soothing strokes are used to begin and end the dog massage. This technique helps dogs relax, warms up the underlying tissues, and encourages blood flow throughout the body.
• Petrissage Kneading or rolling motions that increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage and stimulate the removal of any toxins that may be trapped in the tissues of dogs.
• Compression This is done by gently pressing the muscle against the bone to help spread muscle fibers and increase circulation. Applying two hands on opposite sides of the limbs, not pressing very hard at all.

Depending on the age and mobility of your dog, regular massages and treatments acclimate them to the treatment protocol, loosen the fascia and muscles, and relieve muscle tension and pain. Semi-regular top-up massage treatments can maintain these benefits.

Animal massage not only provides numerous health and therapeutic benefits, but it also makes your dog feel good! Massage can increase the amount of quality time you spend with your dog. Start pampering your pup with their first canine massage, and you will have a happier, healthier, and more balanced canine companion on your hands in no time!

Conclusion:

Through direct work on a dogs soft tissues, canine massages can improve blood flow, alleviate stress, reduce pain, discomfort, relax tight and sore muscles, and help heal sprains, strains, and joint issues. In addition, many believe it also strengthens the immune system, improves digestion, and lowers blood pressure. Massage definitely strengthens the bond between humans and their dogs.