There are still many dog owners who are unaware of the benefits of canine massage, or a thing such as canine massage even exists. I am not talking about giving your pooch a foot rub or petting them while you watch a movie together, although your dog will love this and these are great ways to feel for any new lumps or bumps, and doing this will get your dog used to being touched everywhere. The canine massage techniques I am referring to are specialised treatments delivered by qualified practitioners. There are many different types of canine massage to choose from but most of the techniques designed for our dogs aim to:
- Promote flexibility and mobility
- Reduce pain
- Aid recovery from injuries
- Remove toxins from the body
- Improve quality of life
- Provide relaxation and stress relief (massage can be used to help anxious dogs)
- Support orthopaedic conditions such as: hip dysplasia and arthritis
- Relieve muscle and connective tissue restrictions
- Reduce Swelling
- Improve performance of sporting/working dogs
- Reduce and remodel scar tissue
- Alleviate age-related disorders
- Improve weight bearing on four limbs
Let me start by telling you why I believe it is so important for ALL dog owners to know about the benefits of canine massage…
Ruby (my female bulldog) was 4 years old when I noticed her back end beginning to swing around as she was walking. She was reluctant to go out for walks and was becoming increasingly stiff after exercise. I then noticed, when she was trying to run, her back end would hop because she was putting the majority of her weight on her rear right leg. It eventually got to the point where she could not walk further than 20 metres without having to be carried home – just as well she is a small bulldog!
Vet Visits
We had visited the veterinarian a few times about Ruby’s mobility issues: anti-inflammatories were prescribed and made no difference, she was x-rayed and she was found to have hip dysplasia (a common ailment in this breed) and mild arthritis in her hip. The suggested treatment was a double hip replacement costing £10, 000 and about a year of recovery. This seemed quite drastic to me for a dog of her age. There was a massive cost involved (which I was prepared to pay if it was going to make Ruby better) but the main issue was that she would essentially be out of action for a whole year – no football, beach walks, woodland adventures or playtime with her brothers.
The Magic of Massage
Whilst I considered Ruby’s options, I bought her a pushchair so she could still join her brothers on walks. I also posted on a local dog Facebook group asking if anyone knew of any holistic practitioners that may be able to make Ruby more comfortable until she had the first hip operation. Thankfully, someone in that group suggested Bespoke Canine Therapy – a local Merishia Massage practitioner. After only two hour-long sessions, Ruby began to move more freely and accompanied us on short walks again. After another few sessions, Ruby was back to her old self: chasing her boomer ball in the garden and chasing stones on the beach. We have continued fortnightly sessions for almost one year (interrupted only by lockdown) and Ruby has experienced no problems with her hips.
“Regular skilled bodywork treatments are one of the most important things you can give your dog to help them live a comfortable, healthy and happy life”
Dr Edward Baissingthwaighte
At the time of writing, Ruby is beginning to show signs of stiffness again when walking and we are desperate for lockdown restrictions to be lifted so that Jacqui (from Bespoke Canine Therapy) can come to our house to treat her again. I should also mention that I was so amazed by the results of this holistic, hands-on approach to my dog’s health, I also have her 3 brothers treated when Jacqui visits. They absolutely love it and are so excited when they realise who is at the front door, and it keeps them in tip top condition and pain free!
The Need for a Holistic Approach
I am so pleased I did not put Ruby through the hip operations; it would have been an unnecessary risk having her under anaesthetic twice and a year of her life wasted due to the recuperation process. I know my vets sincerely thought they were doing the best for Ruby and they have been trained to think that their way is the only (and best) approach to treat her. Nevertheless, I would like to think that the modern vet is aware of all the holistic approaches to dog health and should at least be mentioning that there are other treatment options available, especially if it can lead to recovery without drugs or operations – a financial loss for the vet but in the best interest of the animal.
The Benefits of Canine Massage for Pain Relief
Most dogs, will at some point in their lifetime, experience pain of some kind. It may be acute pain, which is severe or sudden but resolves itself within a relatively short time, or a dog may suffer from chronic pain, which is persistent and lasts for months or maybe even years. Acute pain often leads to chronic pain if not treated appropriately.
Ordinarily, if your dog seemed to be in pain, you would take him/her to the vet and they would be able to either diagnose and fix the cause of pain – in cases such as broken bones – and/or they would prescribe medication to alleviate the pain. However, there are times when vets cannot find the cause of pain and throwing pain killers and anti-inflammatories at the situation will maybe cure the symptoms, but the underlying cause of pain will still be present. In these instances, neuro-fascial bodywork (massage-type, hands-on therapy) will need to be performed. There are many different types of canine neuro-fascial treatments out there: The WEBB Method, Bowen Technique and Merishia Massage (the method that helped Ruby) are just three canine massage techniques available that can benefit your pooch.
Signs of pain are not always noticeable
You know your dog better than anyone else and will often be able to tell when something is not quite right. Dogs rarely make a noise when they are in pain – this is an evolutionary trait from when dogs lived in packs and would attack and kill any injured or weak members of the ‘family’ – dogs don’t want to show any weakness to their pack leader. Therefore, as conscious pet owners, we need to be aware of the warning signs that our dogs are hurting. Signs to look out for are:
- Behavioural changes
- Tremors, trembling, shaking
- Slow to get up and down from lying
- Twitching of the skin when stroking your dog
- Hot areas on the body
- Reacts uncomfortably to being touched in certain areas
- Not wanting to play as much as usual
- Being off their food or not drinking the usual amount of water – sometimes they will eat and drink if their bowls are elevated
- Having difficulty going to the toilet
- Being stiff or slower than usual after a walk or playtime
- Lameness that cannot be diagnosed via x-ray etc.
- Changes in posture
- Reluctant to jump in the car or on the couch when they have previously been happy to do this
- Not wagging their tail or guarding their tail from being touched
- Not shaking from the head all the way down to the tip of their tail
- Tension in the facial muscles – a grimace
Does my dog have to be in pain to get a massage?
No. “Regular skilled bodywork treatments are one of the most important things you can give your dog to help them live a comfortable, healthy and happy life” Dr Edward Baissingthwaighte, The Silent Epidemic – Understanding Pain in Dogs. We know that our dogs often try to hide pain and sometimes they may show no outward symptoms of pain at all! Even if we do spot the subtle signs of pain in our dogs and seek orthodox treatment, we know that vets often fail to identify neuro-fascial pain as x-rays, CT and MRI scans do not pick up these problems. Therefore, it makes sense to treat your dog to regular massage sessions. Canine massage does not just benefit dogs experiencing pain, it can have a positive impact on their behaviour too. My four bulldogs absolutely love their massage sessions and I would thoroughly recommend finding a qualified therapist in your local area.
Canine Massage is not just for Pain Management
Different Canine Massage techniques can benefit your dog in different ways, such as: help with tension, over-arousal, anxiety, training, rehabilitation, fear-based aggression, pain relief and excelling in obedience and competition.
Merisha Massage focuses on deep tissue mobilisation techniques, enhanced stretches, gentle release techniques and quick fire release for very restricted tissue. Practitioners will work alongside your vet, gaining consent before treating your dog. It aims to release tension and aid relaxation. It may also help to ease stiffness and tight joints and increase range of movement and flexibility.
The Canine Bowen Technique (CBT) is a soft-tissue remedial technique involving ‘light touch’ moves of fingers or thumbs over muscle, ligament, tendon and/or fascia at specific points of the dog’s body. It aims to promote healing, pain-relief and body/energy rebalancing. Like Merishia Massage, CBT is complementary to vet care.
The Whole Energy Body Balance (WEBB) method consists of a fluid, intuitively guided combination of neuro-fascial release and integration, mobilisation of the spine and body structures. It supports vital well-being and has been founded by an experienced veterinarian.