Pet Massage
Written By: Dr. Alison Seely (Part 2 of 2)It’s no longer just for humans
If you want to improve your pet’s health while lowering your own blood pressure at the same time, here is a short curriculum to get you started.
The first step is to establish clients consent. Your dog needs to welcome your touch and should not move away, become aggressive or otherwise exhibit stress. Respond to its needs by focusing on the body parts offered, like an eagerly presented belly. Do not just distractedly pat while watching television. Focus on your pet – and let it end session if it moves away.
The basic technique is simple petting. It should be smooth, gentle and in one direction – with the direction of hair growth not against it. The correct contact is with the hair and skin, not the underlying tissue.
This is the easiest technique with to start and end a session. It will relax your pet and stimulate blood flow to skin.
The second technique is called effleurage. It too is a light technique. It involves slow and rhythmic strokes in a centripetal direction i.e. toward the heart.
Effleurage is used to encourage venous and lymphatic drainage. Contact is maintained throughout the stroke, no pressure is needed.
A third technique, petrissage, uses a circular stroke. With pressure in the centripetal direction and light contact on the return half of the stroke. This technique involves kneading the muscles gently and rhythmically. It can be used to reduce muscle tension and adhesions and relax trigger points.
Finally there is T-touch, a massage method developed by Linda Tellington-Jones. T-touch has gained widespread acceptance among animal behaviourists and trainers for its calming effect. It involves performing random, circular motions, each completing 1.25 circles from the spine outwards. The flats of the fingers are used and gentle contact is maintained.
Even in the hands of the untrained, T-touch quickly calms agitated animals. It is often taught in puppy obedience and other behaviour training classes.
There are many more elaborate techniques – but these are best left to professionals, as they can hurt the dog if performed incorrectly.
Dr A. Seely is a veterinarian and certified chiropractor.
