What is Massage?

Massage is a manually and externally applied natural, complimentary therapy involving the manipulation of muscles and soft tissue.  It can be used in the treatment of sustained muscular issues and soft tissue usually at chronic stages but also to treat the resultant compensatory issues.  In professional hands massage positively impacts the muscular, endocrine, skeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic and nervous systems.

Massage is usually appreciated for its’ application to humans.  However, as a Canine Massage Practitioner I apply Clinical Massage to dogs.  The techniques and physiology learned are similar but the handling of the canine client holds significant differences.  Not least of which is that before massage is applied to a dog veterinary consent MUST be obtained.

This consent is critical to avoiding serious repercussions most importantly for the health of your dog but also because it contravenes the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemption Order 2015.  In other words it is against the law for anyone to perform any form of manipulative therapy on your dog without it.

If anyone offers to perform massage, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy etc,. without Vet Consent 

         Please Walk Away!

The law exists to enable practitioners to work with your vet to provide the best, safest and most appropriate end to end care for your dog.

 

PipeR has Regular Clinical Massage to Keep Him Supple

   

Why Choose Clinical Canine Massage?

As a Clinical Massage Practitioner I am versed in the science behind the anatomy and biomechanics of the dog including the impacts of massage on associated biological systems and muscular injury.  I know the fibre direction of a muscle from origin to insertion which helps me to determine not only when the muscle is injured but which muscle groups will be compensating as a result.  I have an extensive set of unique techniques at my disposal to assist in effective pain management and the rehabilitation of muscular dysfunction, clinical lameness and signs of sub-clinical pain.

Clinical Canine Massage involves the assessment, manipulation and movement of the muscles and fascia to resolve or manage pain and dysfunction related to soft tissue injury and to address protective muscle splinting which occurs most often as a result of orthopaedic issues or injury.

My assessment process involves Palpation.  The art of ‘seeing’ with fingers.

A Practitioner fine tunes their palpation  technique to identify abnormalities in superficial or deeper muscles.  These muscular or soft tissue abnormalities are very often missed by allopathic medicine and diagnostic equipment such as X-rays or MRI.

 

 

Did you know….                                                         

A dog has over 700 muscles.  

A Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner can palpate and assess 60 of those muscles in 5 minutes?

 

 

 

 

What am I ‘looking’ for?

  • The formation of painful trigger points/knots in the muscle which is brought about by a few bunched up muscle fibres causing oxygen and nutrient deficiency (ischemia) and the localised build-up of toxins.
  • myofascial pain
  • muscle spasms
  • hyper tonicity
  • atrophy (muscle wastage)
  • strain
  • sprain
  • scar tissue

 

Did you know…. 

Scar tissue alone can inhibit movement within an affected muscle by up to 50%?

Your dog will strive to remain mobile to enjoy day-to-day life but in doing so they will do their utmost to hide any discomfort from you.  Basic functions such as walking, eating, running, playing, jumping, tail wagging and even toileting can be impacted by muscular malfunction and can leave your dog depressed and withdrawn.

Sadly, very often key indicators or sub-clinical signs of pain are passed off as the dog ‘getting older.

 

Here are some common signs of muscular or soft tissue injury:-

  • Recurring or intermittent lameness
  • Dog unable to ‘cock’ his leg to wee
  • Not able to toilet in one go – continually moving around
  • Slowing down or lagging behind on a walk
  • Refusal to jump into the car or use stairs or ‘measuring’
  • Depressed or withdrawn
  • Refusal to play or go for walks
  • Twitching skin
  • Stiffness after exercise
  • A change in tail carriage
  • Swayback or roaching
  • Stiffness after rest
  • Laying down to eat or drink from their bowl
  • Defensive, evasive or unusual aggressive behaviour can also be key indicators of pain.
  • They may have lost their ‘sparkle’.
  • Agility dogs may have weave entry or exit issues, stutter step or refuse jumps.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Is your dog lame or limping, do they have Arthritis, Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease), Spondylosis, Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella?

Has yours or a dog you know been diagnosed with degeneration of inter vertebral discs or a neurological condition affecting normal range of motion and balance such as CDRM?

Or has your dog recently undergone surgery such as cruciate surgery?

If the answers is yes to any of the above and you wonder if massage holds the key to improved mobility and reduced pain levels then wonder no more!

Skye HAS Clinical Massage for Pain Relief and Overcompensation AFTER HER Cruciate Surgery

I work with veterinary diagnosed conditions to rehabilitate muscular injury which cause pain, restrict range of motion, inhibit movement and affect posture and quality of life.

I use a combination of Direct & Indirect Myofascial Release, Remedial Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Swedish Massage.

What really sets Clinical Canine Massage Practitioners apart from the mainstream is the knowledge and application of the Lenton Method™;
  • a set of direct myofascial release protocols tailored to suit the dogs’ anatomy
  • body-mapping which is where I map common areas of muscular injury, myofascial pain and active trigger points.
  • a systematic and scientific palpation routine to assesses muscles from their complete origin and insertion to fibre direction.
  • I am a member of the Canine Massage Guild and as such am regulated to ensure:-

I comply with professional and ethical codes of practice

I am fully insured

I attend a minimum of 25 hours CPD each year.

I have access to a bank of knowledge unrivalled in the industry

In a nutshell my role is to identify and treat not only the muscular issue/s and resultant compensation but also to pinpoint, from a list of your dog’s daily activities (ADL’s), the most likely contributor.

 

My Clinic

In addition to offering appointments at my clinic in Bury St Edmunds which is equipped with heated floor – perfect for the arthritic or hip dysplastic dog who perhaps can’t comfortably be treated on the table – I also offer home appointments where possible for those who are not able to travel.

I run day clinics on request  – if this is something you are interested in please give me a call.

Costs : 
Session 1

Session 1 is a full consultation including gait and postural analysis, palpation and full body clinical massage.  This is usually around 1hr 30mins  – 2 Hrs

Cost £40.00

 

Additional sessions

Follow up sessions are a full body clinical massage and are usually around 45mins to 1hr

cost £35.00

 

out of clinic surcharges are applicable for home visits will be agreed at the time of booking
 

 

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Give your dog a new lease of life. 

Call me today to book a consultation.  

Visible results in 1-3 sessions.