natural Dog by Diana Garside, Ph.D., Certified Animal Massage Practitioner
Benefits and Applications of Animal Massage Photo by Julia Stockton
Photo by Sudie Rakusin
Have you ever had someone give you a massage? Until that moment, you probably didn’t realize how “tight” you were or how good it would feel. Well, the same is true of dogs. As an animal massage practitioner, I give the gift of muscle relaxation to dogs in various states of health of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Like us, my canine clients tend to hold their stress in many of the same places, especially around their shoulders and lower backs. And, like their human counterparts, they experience the same stiff and achy joints as they age.
him with an unsteady gait. Bimonthly massage has slowed the progression of his hip joint deterioration by keeping the muscles of the affected leg toned and the joint stabilized and mobile, allowing this pup to now keep up with his peers. Regular massage sessions have also alleviated the strain on his lower back muscles, caused by the back twisting unnaturally as his body compensated for the weaker back legs.
Depending on a dog’s lifestyle, breed, age, and activity level, each may exhibit a variety of ailments, such as hip joint pain, lameness, muscle atrophy, and muscle tension, or each may have sustained an injury, all of which may limit the range of motion and significantly diminish the quality of life. Older dogs that once bounded around the park or jumped onto the couch, for example, may now be more reluctant to pursue these favorite pastimes. The good news is, with the aid of massage, aching muscles can be relieved, knots released, toxins flushed away, and joints kept supple. Similarly, working dogs or dogs that perform in agility or conformation shows are susceptible to sports or work-related injuries. Massage can help these athletes maintain optimal muscle tone to prevent injury, correct a poor gait due to muscle strain, and aid in the recovery of an injury that may have been sustained during the course of vigorous activities. To illustrate how massage can benefit dogs of varying needs, two cases, both involving hip dysplasia, come to mind. The first is of a young dog that developed symptoms of this condition at an early age, leaving 38 Volume 2 • Issue 3
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The second case involves an elderly dog who was no longer able to enjoy his long walks with his owner due to hip dysplasia. Eventually, this dog was barely able to walk around the block before beginning to drag his feet on the home stretch. I am glad to report that, with massage, our senior pet is now mobile again, able to enjoy his daily outings, albeit at a slower pace. Even bedridden animals can experience the benefits of massage therapy. In my practice, I have had several clients who, for varying reasons, were on bed rest. The use of massage gave these dogs relief from bedsores, kept their joints moving, and kept their muscles oxygenated. Additional benefits of massage for dogs include improved skin and coat condition, decreased blood pressure, improved digestive health, improved lymphatic function, and promotion of trust and relaxation. Massage, clearly, is not just for pampering or for old arthritic dogs, but has a wide range of applications to help improve the quality of life of our furry friends. Considered as part of a healthy lifestyle, massage should be used in combination with qualified veterinary care.