CONTENTS Introduction & acknowledgements .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
How the dog works . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 10 Using your vet .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 26 How massage works . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 31 How to massage your dog . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 43 Massage techniques . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 57 Massage, exercise & muscular health .. . . .. . . .. . . 76 Managing muscle repair, incorporating massage . . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 94 Other techniques .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 109 Glossary of terms. .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 117 Index .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . 125 3
the complete dog massage manual
T
he body of a dog, like the bodies of most other animals, is a complex, living machine. And as explained in the Introduction, the body relies on all its different systems operating in harmony to ensure proper function and good health. Massage is an effective method of helping to repair parts of the body ‘machine’ when it massage treatment you are applying, it’s essential to understand a little of how the body of a dog works in biological terms. This can assist in not only also – more importantly – help you understand how the massage you are applying will affect the canine patient.
A body in balance
Just like our own systems, those of your dog are internal environment, making small adjustments to keep everything functioning at the optimum level, irrespective of external conditions. This series of ongoing regulatory processes which ensures The location of the major skeletal areas or bony landmarks of the dog. You can feel these when you examine your dog. Cervical region
Sacrum
Lumbar region
Thoracic region Scapula
Pelvis
Heavy panting indicates a lack of equilibrium or homeostasis.
Shoulder Sternum Elbow Ribs
Carpal joint (wrist)
the body stays in equilibrium is called homeostasis; essentially, ‘keeping things balanced.’ The system uses a negative feedback mechanism that is triggered whenever there is a deviation from the normal range of, for example, blood sugar levels, water content, blood pressure, oxygen levels, temperature, and so on. Any deviation initiates a response within the body to counter the change
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the complete dog massage manual the joint (the antagonists) simultaneously relax to in the other direction, the opposite happens: the original antagonist muscles now become the agonists since they are initiating movement, and the agonists become the antagonists and relax to allow the extension. When the muscle groups work smoothly to provide movement, this is called coordination.
Muscle contraction ones made from the protein actin. The muscle contraction process begins with a signal from the brain that goes from the nerve to the muscle. The nerve endings release a chemical that causes
Repeated exercises, including chasing games, can be a major cause of repetitive stress, and can give rise to compensatory issues.
each other, and thus shortening it.
Muscular tension
Muscular tension can occur through an injury or some other condition. Tension generally causes pain and a subsequent imbalance in the body’s musculature, and may bring on conditions such as lameness. The inhibited action of the tense, sore muscles puts stress on joints and also other muscles; this, in turn, can cause further pain and even more stress. The ensuing damage to the affected muscle
Jumping down from chairs and cars can have a negative effect on the dog’s muscular balance, and therefore its mobility.
relaxation of the muscles, which can lead to problems with muscle tone and function. (In this case, muscle tone refers to the amount
lack of function through tension and imbalance
the lesser the strength or functionality of the muscle.) Contributing to this pain perception and
to additional joint and muscle stresses. This will contribute to further injury or damage to existing or new areas through a continuation of this
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