Canine Massage Therapy - Lifestyle Advice & Guidance -Exercise Programmes
Conditions that Benefit from Massage Therapy
This is by no means an exhaustive list so do not worry if your dog’s condition isn’t listed, simply contact me to find out how I can help.
Massage Therapy can be incredibly helpful in alleviating musculoskeletal pain, helping your dog to move better and allowing them to exercise correctly in order to strengthen muscles and support joint health.
It is important to remember that Canine Massage Therapy treatments should form part of a multimodal approach to treating your dog. Although, massage does provide natural pain relief, it does not necessarily take the place of pain medication or other physical treatments.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
OA is a progressive, degenerative joint condition and is sometimes known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Up to 20% of dogs over 1 years old are affected by OA, and the condition is often secondary to
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Physical injury,
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Excessive wear and tear to joints from repetitive activities, or
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Developmental disorders such as Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) or Hip Dysplasia
OA is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. It is degenerative and incurable but can be managed with the right approach. You may see the following symptoms if your dog is affected by OA:
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Decreased range of motion in affected joints
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Reluctance to weight bear on the affected limb observed as a lameness
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Reduced activity and reluctance to exercise
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Muscle atrophy in the affected limb
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Reluctance to climb stairs, jump in the car, or walk on slippery surfaces.
The pain associated with OA is thought to be a result of inflammation, so the correct veterinary medication is important to help your dog.
Can Massage Help?
Dogs living with OA can absolutely benefit from massage therapy. Massage will help reduce compensatory tension in the muscles supporting the affected joints, in addition to improving circulation to increase blood flow and toxin removal. Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which encourages the release of endorphins to improve mood as well as reducing pain perception. Passive range of movement can reduce stiffness in affected joints and reduce muscle atrophy too.
Hip Dysplasia (HD)
HD is a developmental condition that results in abnormal development of the hip joint as your dog grows. The condition usually affects both hips and tends to be more common in larger breeds of dog.
It is widely believed that a multitude of factors can result in the development of HD including a genetic disposition, rapid growth, and diet. The hip joints are normal at birth but develop abnormally with clinical signs becoming apparent as your dog grows.
The hip is a ball and socket joint, and in cases of HD the ball and socket no longer fit together well, resulting in the joint becoming unstable. The instability causes the femoral head (ball) to move around too much in the acetabulum (socket) which damages the articular surfaces, eventually leading to osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
You may see the following symptoms if your dog is affected by HD:
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Reluctance to have back legs and hips touched
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Difficulty getting up from lying down or sitting
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"Bunny hopping" gait as the dog avoids using it's hindlimbs independently
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Muscle atrophy in the hindlimbs
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Increased muscle mass in the neck and forelimbs as these muscles compensate for reduced use of the hindlimbs
Can Massage Help?
Massage can be beneficial whether you choose to opt for surgical treatment or conservative management.
For conservative management, massage will help reduce compensatory tension in the muscles supporting the affected joints, in addition to improving circulation to increase blood flow and toxin removal. Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which encourages the release of endorphins to improve mood as well as reducing pain perception. Passive range of movement can reduce stiffness in affected joints, reduce muscle atrophy, and increase synovial fluid production which will help protect the joint from damage.
In surgical cases, massage therapy is beneficial to reducing overall stiffness and inflammation around the joints, as well as aiding relaxation during crate rest or restricted exercise. Strengthening the muscle supporting the hip joint both pre- and post-surgery will aid recovery.
Elbow Dysplasia (ED)
As with hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia describes when a dog’s elbow joint doesn’t fit together correctly, resulting in damage when the elbow flexes and extends during movement.
Several conditions are described as ED if they occur in that joint, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), ununited anconeal process (UAP) and fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP). If your dog is affected, they could have one, or all these conditions in the elbow joint.
ED causes pain in the affected joint, often resulting in lameness. These symptoms can occur very early, usually before your dog is 1 year old. In cases of bilateral ED, it can be more difficult to detect lameness.
You may see the following symptoms if your dog is affected by ED:
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Forelimb lameness
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Muscle atrophy on the affected, or more painful limb
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Signs of OA including reduced range of motion
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Overdeveloped muscles in the compensating limb
Can Massage Help?
Massage can be beneficial whether your dog is a candidate for surgical treatment or conservative management.
Surgical cases will likely become affect by OA as they age, and non-surgical cases will likely present with OA related lameness.
Prior to surgical treatment, massage can help reduce compensatory issues by reducing tension in those muscles and treating stress points, providing healthier musculature. This will support a more positive outcome post-surgery. Post-surgery, massage can aid in reducing inflammation and stiffness around the elbow joint, increase healing and support the rest of the body during crate rest or restricted exercise.
For conservative management, massage will help reduce compensatory tension in the muscles supporting the affected joints, in addition to improving circulation to increase blood flow and toxin removal. Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which encourages the release of endorphins to improve mood as well as reducing pain perception. Passive range of movement can reduce stiffness in affected joints, reduce muscle atrophy, and increase synovial fluid production
which will help protect the joint from damage.
Luxating Patella
Patellar luxation is a common cause of lameness in dogs and occurs when the kneecap (patella) slides or pops out of place when the knee joint flexes, causing dislocation. The condition can be caused by many factors but genetics are thought to play a significant role. Patellar luxation can also occur after injury.
Dogs with patellar luxation tend to have a shallower femoral groove or poor alignment of the hindlimb, making it easier for the patella to dislocate. The condition can occur in one or both knees.
The most common sign you will see if your dog is suffering from patellar luxation is a classic “skipping” gait, where the dog suddenly carries one of its’ hindlimbs for a few steps before placing it down and moving normally.
Can Massage Help?
Some dogs with this condition will only have a mild luxation that can be managed conservatively, while more severe cases will require surgical intervention. Massage is a beneficial tool to help with pain management, muscle tension, and healing post-surgery. As well as treating muscle tension and spasm in compensating muscles. Passive range of motion exercises will help keep the joint and tissues moving healthily post-surgery. Exercises prescribed post-massage treatment can aid in strengthening the soft tissues surrounding the joint to aid recovery post-surgery and help manage the condition in less severe cases too.
Neurological Conditions
Some breeds and types of dogs are more susceptible to certain neurological conditions than others, and how these manifest may vary depending on the condition. Whether the condition has an acute onset or is degenerative in nature, they can severely impact a dog’s quality of life.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a non-painful progress autoimmune disease that affects the spinal cord and results in hindlimb paralysis. DM is most seen in adult dogs of larger breeders including Labradors, Boxers, and German Shepherds but has been observed in Corgi’s, Pugs and Wire Fox Terriers too. The condition is irreversible, so conservative management is the best option for dogs following a DM diagnosis.
Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) can be split into two types, Type 1 and Type 2. IVDD Type 1 is mostly seen in breeds such as Dachshunds and Basset Hounds and has an acute onset. This is the most common cause of spinal injury seen in dogs and is characterized by disk herniation. IVDD Type 2 also has an acute onset but can affect any breed or type of dog, although is typically seen in medium-large breeds and is considered to be age-related.
Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) is an acute onset spinal cord injury that is caused by a sudden blockage of blood vessels that supply an area of the spinal cord. The symptoms typically affect one side of the dog more than the other and can range from general weakness to complete paralysis. FCE can affect dogs of any breed, age or sex.
Can Massage Help?
Massage can be beneficial in treating dogs suffering from any of these neurological conditions, by helping reduce tension and spasm in forelimb and back muscles that compensate for the reduced mobility of the hindlimbs. Massage also helps stimulate the nerves in the hindlimbs that will help delay muscle wastage and improve neuromuscular control, as well as providing passive range of motion exercise and increase synovial fluid production to maintain healthy joints.