Canine massage is benificail to all dogs, from working dogs to the family pet. During everyday activities such as chasing a ball, fast changes of direction and sudden turns of speed, dogs can injure their muscles. This may not be noticed by the owner to begin with. The dog may limp slightly or be a little stiff for a day or two however this will usually subside. The dog will learn to compensate for its injury by moving in a slightly different way and the muscle injury will never heal. In fact the different way of moving can cause injury to the other muscles that are being used. These injuries cause stress to the tendons ligaments and joint which in turn can cause serious problems later in life.
Massage is used for many different reasons. A gentle massage can help nervous dogs to relax and gain trust in human contact. Massage increases the circulatory system and lymphatic drainage, which can speed up the healing process after illness or injury For dogs that like to show off in the ring, massage helps them to move more freely and due to the stimulation of the sebasious glands the coat is glossier. Massage is also known to improve stamina and increase the dogs performance in activieites such as agility and fly ball. The passive and active stretches I perform during the massage increases the dogs range of movement which can really help with conditions such as Arthritis, Canine hip/elbow dysplacia and degenerative joint disease.
Pre event massage. This massage is designed to enhance the performance of the canine athlete. The massage stimulates the circulatory system bringing more oxygen to the muscles and improving stamina. It also increases flexibility and and reduces muscle tension.
Post event massage. This is performed after competition. Massage reduces muscle spasm and metabolic build up of toxins and lactic acid which occurs during vigorous exercise. This prevents injury and the dogs experiencing muscle soreness and becoming stiff.
Post operative massage. This prevents muscle damage occurring in the other muscles which are compensating for the injury itself. Massage relaxes the dog and provides comfort. It also speeds up the healing process .
Massage is never a replacement for proper veterinary care. A consent form must be completed by the animals vet before any massage can be carried out.
