canine massage…
(source: dogage.com, 2/16/09)
Consider a Canine Massage
Originally published on February 26, 2009
Few things in life feel as good as a massage, so your pooch would probably love one. And just as people can benefit from a massage’s mind-body effects — like stress reduction, better blood circulation, and improved muscle tone — so may your furry friend.
If you think your dog would enjoy a massage, run the idea by your vet. It may not be appropriate for pets with health problems such as arthritis, fractures, cancer, or certain skin conditions.
Look for a certified massage therapist who has been trained in animal massage, or ask your vet if he or she has training in animal massage.
Another option is to learn how to do it yourself. Massage therapy schools in your area may offer animal massage classes. Not only will you gain a new skill, but also you’ll get more bonding time with your buddy. A massage also provides an opportunity to check your pet for unusual growths and lumps.
“…improved muscle tone” from massage? That’ might be stretching it a little. I think people might misconstrue that to mean strength benefits.
Running the idea of massage by the vet is a good idea but a more important idea is having a regular check up with your vet prior to the massage. Many vets are still not “on board” the idea of alternative medicine. Their lack of awareness or opinions on the subject might affect their endorsement–or lack thereof. [You do not need a prescription or approval from the vet for a massage.]
Their are many conditions that can benefit from the therapy and many that are “red flags” or absolute contraindications and your vet will help you with this also, as should any massage therapist that is worth their weight. I do not think that arthritis or fractures are necessarily a contraindication (absolute ‘no no’) for massage either!
The note tells you to seek out a certified massage therapist but perhaps they are not aware that there is no particular accreditation for this area.
And then tells you to take classes yourself (which I agree with! why not?), which wouldn’t necessarily lead to certification. Obviously, one needs to thoroughly check out the experience of any practitioner or massage education.
There are some great DVD’s out there. If you have any questions or want my opinion about a particular one, let me know!
