Pet Massage Therapy

Remember your last massage?

Why did you get a rub down?

...relieve stress from a long week of work...

...to work out stiff muscles from working out...

...to release lactic acid accumulation in your body...

Did you feel relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards?

Well, your pet can feel this, too!

Massage is a touch therapy that improves your pet's life and overall health. It is purposeful rubbing and kneading of soft tissue and muscle to bring about relaxation, awakening of mind and body and alleviation of tight muscles.

This non-invasive therapy improves blood circulation, therefore delivering oxygen and nutrients to the tissues allowing the body to work efficiently. This therapy relieves pain and discomfort as well as improves your pet's well-being. It also is a way to bond with your pet.

Pet Massage For Your Pet Will...

• Relax muscle spasms or sore muscles
• Eliminate toxins
• Increases flexibility
• Reduce stress
• Ease of movement
• Improve immune system

Top Reasons for Pet Massage

• Arthritis and hip dysplasia relief
• Anxiety
• Post orthopedic surgery recovery
• Keeps active, competitive "sports" dogs and show dogs limber both before and after competition

When Not to Massage Your Pet

• Any resistance or discomfort from your pet, such as growling, yelping, hissing, etc.
• After major surgery
• If your pet has a fever, serious illness or sickness
• If your pet is pregnant
• High heart rate due to high activity
• Right after meals - give time for food to digest

Dog Massage Therapy Techniques

There are different types of massage techniques. Some types need to be done by a professional and certified animal massage therapist. It is important to find which works best for your pet.

Please keep in mind that the therapies described below are not meant to replace your veterinarian's care, but instead they are meant to complement their care.

These techniques can work on both cats and dogs. You will have to find your pet's pressure tolerance and spots they do and do not like you massaging. Your pet will let you know when you have found the right pressure and spot.

Effleurage is a deep stroke intended to get blood circulating throughout the body and detoxification of body tissue. For this stroke, place on hand on your dog, and with your other hand, gently move your palm and fingers from head, to tail then to feet.

Usually every massage begins with effleurage to determine your pet's response. You can also use this technique to end or switch from to another massage technique.

Typically people use effleurage to relax their pet, so it is important to develop a rhythm and start with a light stroke movement and slowly increase to a deeper stroke movement. In order to find your pet's tender spots, you cannot hurry through the session.

Petrissage is a deeper more vigorous stroke compared to effleurage. It is a great massage to transition to from effleurage.

For this type of therapy, grip the muscle from the bone with both hands and give a tender squeeze and roll as if you were kneading dough. This technique helps to remove accumulated toxins, increase blood circulation and muscle stimulation.

Petrissage may not be comfortable for your pet. Stop if your pet is uncomfortable and warm-up your pet with effleurage. Once you begin with the petrissage technique, be sure not to just pinch the surface, but to grab the muscle; otherwise your pet will have the sameuncomfortable response.

Stroking is very much like petting your pet. Like effleurage, stroking is a good way to start and end a massage. Using your hands, softly stroke your pet's entire body in one direction and repeat.

Acupressure is a form of therapy you can do by placing your fingers on certain points on your pet's body called acupressure points. This holistic healing therapy is a form of Chinese Medicine that indicates your pet withholds an energy force called "qi" (pronounced chee) that travels within the body on paths called meridians. Meridians connect parts of the body together. By pressing on acupressure points, many along the body's meridians, your pet's balance can be restored.

Acupressure points are labeled by one or two letters and a number. The letter(s) pertains to the meridian the acupressure point is located and stands for the organ that dominates that pathway. The numbers calculate where the point lies on the meridian. For example, HT 7 means the 7th point on the heart meridian.

Once you know your pet's acupressure points, press straight into the point with your finger. Hold the pressure on the point for several seconds depending on your pet's response.

TTouch (Tellington TTouch), founded by Linda Tellington-Jones is a gentle touch therapy that does not require any anatomy knowledge. This approach is based on circular motion with your hands on your pet's body. TTouch helps with cellular function. To read and learn more about TTouch, click here to go to the official site.

Tapotement is the rapid, repetitive, striking movements with your hands. The movements come from the wrist and fingers should be relaxed. Alternate hands when softly striking and only strike your pet's fleshy body parts or muscles. Do not use tapotement on your pet's bony, non-fleshy body parts.

The movements associated with tapotement are: cupping, hacking, flicking, plucking, beating and pounding. These techniques improves blood circulation, stimulates muscle and builds muscle tone.

• Cupping is a hard technique to master. With this method, form your hands into a cup as if you were holding water in your hands. Palms are to face downward and without losing the cup form, quickly and softly strike the body. As your hand comes up form the movement, it will create a suction effect and sounds. Cupping helps to break up congestion.
• Hacking is striking quickly with the side of your hands alternating each hand in rhythmically pace. Do not stiffen your fingers, keep them relaxed. The movement comes from your wrist and not any other part of your arm, such as your shoulder or elbow. Use hacking to invigorate and build muscle tone.
• Flicking
is similar to hacking in that the movement is in the wrist, but only the sides of your fingers. Do not use the side of your hands as you do with hacking. Flicking is a notch softer movement than hacking.
• Plucking
is gently picking up the tissue with your fingers and thumb. Your fingertips and thumb are to meet at a point. This is another quick, alternating movement between your two hands.
• Beating is a technique in which you create a relaxed fist with your hands and gently strike with the pinky side. Alternate strikes with each hand.
• Pounding is similar to beating. You create a relaxed fist and gently strike with the palm side of your hand.




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