Gilly's Canine Massage, Ashford, Kent - Helping to keep your dog your flexible friend

REMEDIAL MASSAGE FOR DOGS
Incorporating MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPY

Gill has experience of working with dogs (from veterinary referral) suffering from a variety of problems including OCD of elbow and stifle, arthritis, cruciate ligament repairs including tibial levelling osteotomy, bi-lateral pectinotomy, severe hip disease, spondylosis, lordosis, lumbar spine/disc disease, recovering from road accidents and agility dogs who need maintenance massage to keep them fit for competition.

How would remedial massage help my dog?

Muscle is specialised tissue which when stimulated by the nervous system contracts and extends in order to produce movement. When a dog experiences pain/trauma, acute or chronic, through injury or degenerative disease, the muscles in the area concerned tense and tighten putting pressure on tendons, ligaments and referring pain to other areas which can result in lameness, loss of flexion and mobility.

By using remedial massage and myofascial release therapy, it is believed that endorphins are naturally released into the dog's system and help to relieve pain.
Tension is released from the muscle allowing for more elasticity, efficient delivery of blood and nutrients to the area and assisting the disposal of toxins, lactic acid by stimulating the lymph system.

STRETCHING is something the healthy dog does naturally to relax ligament and muscle tension allowing for more freedom of movement.
When in pain or spasm the dog may be unable or unwilling to stretch adequately. After remedial massage the dog will be guided through controlled passive stretching exercises within a range comfortable and acceptable to the dog. The aim is for the dog to find confidence in its relaxed state and to start to stretch itself, helping with its own healing recovery.
It is not unusual for a dog to stretch its limbs during a massage showing enjoyment in the release of tension.

Gill qualified with ICAT (the Institute for Complementary Animal Therapies) Dip.(Dist), is a member of the Animal Massage Association and a Reiki Master Practitioner.

References willingly supplied.

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