By Karen Garza and Karen Yamamoto
Canine Massage Therapists & Certified Pet Tech Instructors
For many years, massage has been generally considered as a mainstream option to promote healing in a wide variety of conditions in humans. The equine community has also embraced the use of massage for pleasure and race horses alike. Now, massage is
becoming more widely available as a valuable therapy for our canine companions.
Dr. Michael W. Fox is a well-known veterinarian and former vice president of the Humane Society of the United States. In his book The Healing Touch for Dogs, Fox addresses head-on the common perception that dog massage is “pampering” and
does not have any real health benefits.
“On the surface, massage may seem like a frivolous idea,” said Fox. “But the fact is that massage has so many physical and psychological benefits for your dog that you could almost call it an essential of health care, like grooming, feeding, exercise, etc. In fact, I might go so far as to say that, for certain reasons… pets benefit more from massage than human beings do.”
There are two main types of massage, depending on the individual needs of the dog. A therapeutic massage is designed to enhance and support the general wellness and comfort of the animal. This approach boosts the immune system by increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid and increases circulation of blood through the tissues to foster overall health. In addition, range of movement is improved and muscle function is enhanced.
Therapeutic massage is particularly beneficial for older dogs and puppies. A sports massage is designed to precisely identify and appropriately treat problem areas— like stress points, trigger points and muscle strains. The techniques used work both superficial and deeper muscles, with more individual attention given to common tension or injury sites. Active dogs and retired racers are ideal candidates for this approach.
These two types of massage can also be combined in certain situations. For example, a dog that has a lame leg due to arthritis or a knee injury would benefit from therapeutic massage strokes on the problem side. However, the other side and shoulders are likely to be over-worked from compensating for the weaker muscles and would benefit from the deeper techniques of sports massage.
A trained therapist will do a history and assessment to recommend the best treatment approach for a pet. Improvements are usually observed after three or four weekly sessions. If not, then another therapeutic modality may be incorporated or recommended such as low-level laser phototherapy or acupressure. Further, the importance of good nutrition and appropriate supplementation cannot be
underemphasized. It is a critical component of an overall plan to heal and prevent muscle injuries.
Massage is always a complement, never a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed veterinarian. Check with your vet to ensure that there are no considerations preventing your pet from experiencing the benefits of massage.
Karen Garza and Karen Yamamoto are the co-owners of AllWays Dogz, a business that offers serious treatment options to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. Contact them at (949) 283-6873.
