Have you considered a massage for your dog?
Your dog wants a massage!
Massage for dogs works pretty much as it does for you. If you’ve ever had a massage, you know that it’s super at loosening tight muscles and helping you relax. You might also know that it helps improve your circulation and heal more quickly. Dogs get the same benefits as we do.
How can massage help your dog?
What is massage, exactly? Technically, massage, also known as sports massage therapy, is the therapeutic application of hands-on deep tissue techniques to the voluntary muscle system. That sounds like a really complicated definition. In reality, it can resolve quite a few basic issues affecting your dog daily.
Massage can help:
- increase circulation
- reduce muscle spasms
- relieve tension
- enhance muscle tone
- promote healing
- increase range of motion
- enhance relaxation
A dog competing or working hard is likely to have sore muscles, stiffness, little aches, pains, etc. Not only does massage for dogs feel good, but it can also help heal ongoing issues like stiffness or injury.
How do you choose a practitioner?
There are many great practitioners out there. To help decide which one you'd like to work on your dog, you can check with organizations like NCBAAM, talk to your vet, and ask other dog guardians who they've used. You can also take classes to learn how to work on your dog through sites like Angel's Animals. It can be a great skill to develop since you know your dog better than anyone and have regular access to them. Plus, once the cost of the class is covered, there is no other expense.
How should you use massage for dogs?
Regular massages can help keep your athletic dog working to their highest level, especially in combination with chiropractic work. Please read my post about how chiropractic and acupressure can also help your dog.
You can learn how to recognize sore muscles by feeling with your fingers and watching the muscles respond. If you’re observant, you’ll know when your dog needs help, either with simple techniques you can perform at home or the more expert treatment from a professional masseuse.
The frequency of massage sessions depends on how hard you and your dog are working and how well they do between sessions. If you watch and feel your dog, you should get a pretty good idea. The goal is to keep them healthy, happy, and moving comfortably.
Keeping your dog healthy
As you get more familiar with your dog and how they feel when things are working, it gets easier to know when there is a problem. They usually won’t show you they’re having a problem until they absolutely can’t hide it anymore. You don’t have to wait until they get to that point.
If you can do it, massage for dogs can make a difference.
My dogs certainly enjoy their massages. I have learned some techniques, so I can do the work myself. My dogs feel better and have less soreness. You might be pleased with the results too. Have you tried massage for dogs? Tell me about it in the comments below.
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