Canine Massage
I have a two and a half year old, small crossbreed dog, who loves chasing a ball. I have noticed in the last year that her chest, neck and shoulder muscles are becoming very tight. Because I am aware of this, I give her an occasional massage and I ensure that she has a couple of days off inbetween chasing her beloved ball. Hopefully being aware, might prevent injury and disease later in life, like elbow dysplasia and arthritis or tendon injury from overstretching.
Physically - Massage can relax and strengthen muscles, relieve muscle spasm and tension, promote good blood flow and drainage of toxins. Therefore, your pet will move more easily and comfortably preventing injury and disease.
Psychologically - A massage/reiki treatment is very relaxing and comforting, creating a sense of calm and well-being, in-turn promoting good health and healing.
After only a couple of treatments, you will be able to judge whether this type of treatment is helping your pet.
EXAMPLES OF WHY YOU MIGHT HAVE YOUR DOG MASSAGED.
Your dog is in his senior years, he can't walk as far as he used to, and he's putting on a bit of weight.
Like us, as you get older you become stiffer, and quite often our body has to compensate for these changes, you might notice a limp, not sitting squarely, struggling to get up, not wanting to go for a walk or just getting a bit grumpy! Massage can ease out overused muscles, muscles in a spasm and strengthen muscles, resulting in a happier more agile dog. Reiki can assist in replenishing the organs and help with the energy and circulation surrounding the troubled areas.
He is very nervous or shy with strangers.
Reiki is used first in this instance, to gain trust, calmness and balance to your pet. With patience a massage can be introduced, until he actually enjoys being touched, and help desensitise vulnerable areas.
He has a condition, like hip dysplasia, spondylitis or arthritis.
Arthritis, for example varies constantly, from bad circulation all over, with cold feet and wasting muscles, to toes and joints that are deformed, to areas of inflammation and compensation of body movement, causing muscle spasms. After careful assessment, each case will need to be addressed appropriately. Massage can ease out the aches and pains, reduce fluid retention, release muscle spasms and strengthen wasting muscles. Reiki is excellent for calming inflamed areas, relieving pain and stabilizing the condition.
Has had an injury, that is still causing him problems.
When a dog has had an injury his body will compensate its movement to help reduce pain in the troubled area. Unfortunately, this is building problems in other areas. Therefore even once healed, there could be muscle stiffness, spasms and lack of circulation. These areas of muscles are filled with toxins and metabolic waste. Massage is required to release muscle spasms, remove toxins, and encourage fresh blood supply, for nutrients and oxygen in order to complete the healing process.
Has just had an operation or injury.
Initially massage would not be appropriate. Reiki would be used to help speed up recovery and with your vets approval, start with light massage combined with reiki to encourage healing and to ease out aches and pains.
Agility dog.
Agility, speed and power is required to perform obstacle courses. As with a finely tuned athlete, these dogs require attention to ease out tension, soreness and stiffness. Regular massage can help with gait irregularities and achieve optimum performance results.
What to expect on the day of treatment
Generally a treatment can take about 45 mins to 1 1/2 hours. Possibly longer on first visit.
Don't wait until your horse has a problem, help prepare him for the year ahead with a massage/reiki treatment. Whether it's general riding/hacking or competitive sports you do, a treatment could greatly improve his mobility, as well as ease any aches and pains, reducing the risk of injury!
Jayne Glazebrook-Smith, Merishia Animal Massage and Usui Reiki Therapist
tel: 07803 197315
email: j.glazebrook406_btinternet.com
Prices: DOG £15 to £20 depending on size.
HORSE £28.00
Fully qualified and insured. Based in Rochford, Essex.
There maybe a small charge if travelling out of area.
Please note: it is a legal requirement to obtain your veterinaries permission prior to a massage treatment. The services offered are not a substitute for proper veterinary care. If your animal appears sick or injured please see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
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