#4 Things you need to know about K9 Gait Massage Therapy

Sarah Darling • January 7, 2021

When you think of Massage, you may visualise that oh so wonderful day at the spa, lapping up the luxuries of a stress relieving Swedish massage, skin cleansing steam baths and unwinding on a lounger after a few ‘most often small’ lengths of the pool.Therefore, when you hear there’s massage for your furry friend, you may conjure up a similar image! 

Although, I am sure there are a few pampered pooches out there that would demand nothing less!



 Henlo frens , I dooz me a relax ‘Pawfect’ 🐾



But when it comes to massage and the power of touch, the benefits are not for humans alone. 

Not only does it give our furry friends the feeling of being wanted, protected and loved, it can have a profound effect on their physical and mental well-being.

Our dogs already understand the healing properties of touch, as seen in their mutual grooming and the use of this physical manipulation to ease their sore muscles.





So what is Canine Massage Therapy?

Just like humans, our dogs experience tired achy muscles and nervous tensions and stresses through their body.

Dogs as Humans can also house a vast array of painful issues in the muscular system that may be having a detrimental effect not only on their mobility and how they feel physically, but how they think, feel and function mentally.





Canine massage is a clinical therapy designed for your dogs body and limbs, that uses various skillfully applied massage techniques, detailed mobilisations and releases that resolve and support past and present issues in your dog's muscular system, enhancing freedom of movement, improved mobility and overall physical and mental well-being.


Canine Massage not only benefits the muscular system, it supports every system in the body, including circulatory, digestive, respiratory, lymphatic and nervous system.



The causes of pain in dogs are not dissimilar to humans!


The conditions that may cause and/or lead to pain, tensions and restrictions in our dogs that K9 Gait Massage Therapy supports, are not dissimilar to what we as would experience as humans, such as;

  • Muscle strain or Ligament sprain
  • Lameness
  • Repetitive stress
  • Chronic orthopaedic conditions e.g. Arthritis, Dysplasia
  • Senior dogs feeling the effects of rigours of life 
  • Stress & anxiety
  • Lifestyle
  • Overweight



Compensatory tensions and the referred pain it may cause




Sara’s wrist sprain led to tensions & restrictions developing in her opposing limb and lower back


Have you ever experienced a leg injury? Well if you have, you may have found yourself shifting weight onto the other leg. Similarly, dogs alter their posture, off loading to opposing joints and muscles, to maintain mobility and avoid pain.


For example; If their injury is in their back, the dog will try not to use the driving muscles in their pelvic limbs by transferring their body weight so as to power from the front. 


These compensatory adaptations can be subtle and therefore often go unnoticed. This extra stress in time will then impact on the integrity of the concessional muscles and joints, which can lead to further issues, create tension patterns throughout the body and referred pain in other sites.

Charlie’s hind limb arthritis led to tension in his neck, shoulders, painful spasms, restrictions & sensitivity in his lower back.   You can see changes in the pattern of his coat  directly above his discomfort. 



“Dogs do talk, but only to those who know how to listen.” Orhan Pamuk     


Unlike humans where we can vocalise our pains & discomforts enabling us to seek the help we need, sadly our furry friends can suffer in silence.

However, they do try to communicate to bring our attention to any pains and discomforts they may be experiencing, but not through a language that we would typically understand, hence why we do not always know how to listen. 


By way detailed physical, visual and behavioural assessments, allows me to not only locate and address the discomforts they hide, but also to foresee any potential issues that may arise due to their current muscular issue, or that are predetermined by their day to day lifestyle and activities.

Addressing these areas enables me to improve, support and revitalise the physical and mental health of our loyal canine companion and maintain well-being throughout their lives.








Bless them all, the long and the short and the tall…..

 
The benefits that your dog may receive, with the help of K9 Gait Massage Therapy, are unique, just like your furry friend!

The overall physical and emotional health and well-being of every dog who receives K9 Gait massage therapy could greatly improve and it is possible that this therapy will have a profound effect on the quality of your dog’s life.


🐾🧡

How your dogs bed may play an important role in their muscle & joint health

By Sarah Darling • February 1, 2021
Have you ever considered the importance of your dogs bed and how it can play an important role in muscle & joint health? The comfort & support of a good bed is just as important to dogs as humans. A dog's bed is their haven, their safety place, their rest & recovery place and of course we want to make sure they have the best! When purchasing your bed, it is worth taking time to research the best bed for your dogs needs, such as if you have an arthritic dog, having the right support can make all the difference to the quality of their lives. A little something I do when choosing a new bed for my dog, is place it on the floor and rest my elbow on it for a short while. If i can feel the hard surface underneath then I know this will not be comfortable for her and give her the support she needs night after night. Can you imagine lying a hard floor every night? My back aches at the thought of it, and the detrimental effects this could have long term on my muscles and joints.

How a towel rub can help keep your dog healthy

By Sarah Darling • January 31, 2021
If you have an older dog with arthritis, or your dog is coping with other chronic conditions where they may have developed Pains, Tensions and Restrictions, they may not be able to shake as well, leaving their bodies damp & cold for longer. Drying will help retain their body heat, protect their immune system & reduce further discomforts.

Why you should keep your dogs nails trimmed

By Sarah Darling • January 31, 2021
Of course, not all dogs need their nails trimmed! Dogs that spend a good deal of time outdoors on various hard surfaces, such as concrete, their nails are gradually worn down, therefore have less of a need for nail-grooming sessions. But with many dogs increasingly confined to indoors when their owners are at work, & spending their days running mostly on soft surfaces such as carpet and a lawn garden, this welcome friction is often absent in their daily lives. Dogs use their nails for traction & balance when walking or running. If their nails are left too long they can lead to injuries & issues that can cause pain & discomfort. This is not only just in their feet, but their whole body due to compensatory adaptations due to offloading from their discomfort. When nails are so long & constantly touch the ground, they exert force back into the nail bed, creating pressure on the toe joint (imagine wearing a shoe that’s too-tight) Also changes to the biomechanics of the digits could lead to arthritis in the toes.

For some dogs, a jacket may play an important role!

By Sarah Darling • January 7, 2021
Not all fur babies need a dog coat to help keep them warm and dry on their walks and play-days, but they may play an important role for some dogs. Arthritic dogs can benefit from a warm cosy jacket. This can help reduce the pain sensation in their muscles & joints, also heat regulation may decline with age, making even a thick-coated dog uncomfortable in the cold. Puppies, Small dogs, toy, & miniature short- haired breeds such as French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Pugs, Chihuahuas. These can’t easily generate & retain enough body heat to keep themselves warm. Lean-bodied breeds with short hair, like Whippets and Greyhounds should also be protected from the cold. Breeds that typically have long hair but are clipped or shorn, like Poodles, as grooming may alter the natural protection of their coats. A coat will also help prevent debris getting on their fur which may cause irritation.

The Unintentional Environments We Create

By Sarah Darling • October 25, 2020
We can unintentionally create environments that may be detrimental to our dogs health, by putting their body through stresses and strains from repetitive activity.