Massage is purposeful touch - it influences body, mind and spirit! The role of the Canine Massage Practitioner is to provide an atmosphere conducive to healing and to facilitate the healing process. Massage is an ancient healing art involving the systematic and therapeutic manipulation of soft tissues of the body.
Massage is especially helpful for arthritic or senior animals, growing young animals, athletic & competition dogs, working dogs, animals recovering from surgery, fearful and stressed animals - massage truly offers benefits for animals of all ages and stages.
Massage releases the body's natural pain relievers called endorphins, increases circulation of blood, nutrients, lymph and oxygen to the tissues, promoting healing and cleansing the body of metabolic waste.
Massage Increases
Energy
Comfort
Relaxation
Socialization, Trust & Bonding
Performance
Oxygen to Cells
Nutrition to Tissues
Body Awareness
Circulation of Blood & Lymph
Toxin & Waste Removal
Endurance, Flexibility & Muscle Tone
Massage Decreases
Pain
Stress
Tension, Soreness & Stiffness
Anxiety & Fear
Injury Recovery Time
Inflammation & Swelling
Recovery Time After Surgery
Therapeutic Exercise
As a Registered Massage Therapist, I am also trained to provide therapeutic exercises for my clients to help heal or prevent injuries. I will work with you and your animal to help teach you both specific exercises, performing passive or active range of motion of joints, how to use hot or cold hydrotherapy; or teaching you how to massage your own animal. This can help reduce the amount of visits and often increases the bond between you and your animal companion.
Elana is a Registered Human Massage Therapist and Certified Canine Massage Practitioner. She uses a blend of the following massage techniques during her massage therapy sesssions:
Palliative Care/Geriatric Massage
Massage is extemely beneficial for senior dogs. Arthritis, muscle atrophy, decreased nerve action, diminished mental function, circulatory problems and other aging issues can all be helped with massage. In addition, our canine friends will feel more energetic and even rejuvenated after their massage. The increase in blood circulation will help to improve the condition of a senior dog's coat and skin and the increase in body temperature will warm muscles and allow for easier movement.
Maintenance/Relaxation Massage
Massage can play a major role in the reduction of stress and tension for canines, just as it does for humans. A relaxing massage will provide a sense of calm and emotional balancing for dogs that are under stress. It can be highly effective in increasing the level of trust between humans and dogs that have been abused or neglected. Dogs that have behavioral and/or training challenges will also benefit from massage as the emotional calming will produce a state of mind that is more conducive to learning and can make training much more enjoyable and less stressful.
Performance Massage
Like human athletes, canine athletes can benefit from pre-event and post-event massage. The benefits are primarily that of a physical nature. Performance massage incorporates all muscle groups involved in the specific sport. Its aim is to focus on specific muscle groups that are worked and possibly stressed within a particular sport or discipline. The intent is for the animal to be able to perform at its optimum level, reducing the likelihood of injury, and thereby increasing its performance lifetime.
Prior to the event, massage can be used to invigorate and stimulate the body for action with the application of specific techniques at a faster speed. It helps warm muscles and joints, so they are less likely to become injured and so your animal can perform at an optimum level.
Post-event massage helps relieve performance tension, relieves cramping in tired muscles and encourages faster removal of waste products such as lactic acid. Canine athletes will also benefit from ongoing maintenance massages.
Growth/Puppy Massage
We all know that puppies enjoy being touched, but what we may not think about is that the physical effects of muscle relaxation and increased flexibility can be very important for young animals, especially for the larger breed puppies. The different rate of growth of muscles and bones can often produce pain and lameness in young pups. Massage will allow the stretched muscle to relax and the release of endorphins will help reduce the aches and pains of growing. In addition, young animals will also benefit from the emotional, behavioral and social aspects of massage.
What you need to do: | What we need to do: |
| We will discuss with you what your dog's specific needs are and your goals for their massage sessions. We will schedule a time that is convenient for you, pending the return of the Vet Consent Form. |
| We will prepare the Vet Consent form for you and fax it to your vet for signature. Note: We require this form to be completed for your dog's safety and because it provides us with information that may be pertinent to the design of your dog's massage program. |
| We will review your forms in advance of your appointment and be prepared for your animal's specific needs. |
| We'll do the rest, but we encourage you to be to be there for support and encouragement. |
Before the first appointment, ensure your animal hasn't eaten for at least one hour prior to the massage. Also, please ensure that your animal has had a chance to empty their bladder and bowel before the appointment.
The initial appointment is approximately one hour.
Your animal's gait and movement are evaluated from the front, side and back and assessed for imbalances and irregularities. An evaluation of the range of motion of the body and limbs may be performed.
A treatment plan is created and the goals of the massage therapy session are discussed. The customized session begins. Massage Therapy can be performed on an animal that is sitting, standing or lying down.
After the session, an ongoing treatment plan is discussed. This will include information on home care for your animal, such as exercises, massage and/or hydrotherapy. Lastly, a discussion about any subsequent necessary treatments.
