Dog Massage – Benefits for your Pet’s Health

Does your Dog Need a Massage?

Why you should consider a massage for your dog

If you know you can appreciate a well delivered massage from time to time, why shouldn’t you allow your pet to have the same privilege? In the Western world, massage may at first seem like a basic method of relaxing muscles and reducing tension. Eastern beliefs carry the benefits of massage much further by utilizing specific acupressure techniques. If you have ever had an acupressure treatment, you surely recognize the unbeatable results you experienced. This helpful treatment is not just for people. Dog massage has been popular in the Eastern world for centuries, but now the Western world is beginning to grasp the benefits as well.

Beginning your dog’s massage

If you are interested in taking your pet in to get a treatment, it is important you understand the procedure of dog massage. A typical acupressure session begins with simple observation. The licensed practitioner will monitor your dog’s movement, posture and other behaviors and make notes on a chart. These important marks of patterns on the body will act as a cue for the practitioner as he begins the work. Before they actually begin, they will ask your dog permission by speaking softly and lightly touching the animal to make sure he is comfortable.

Important stages in a dog massage

The dog massage begins at this point with a process called The Opening. The practitioner will run a hand down the length of the canine’s body, from the eyes to the hind foot along an energy meridian, opening the energy flow in the whole body. The Point Work begins after preparing the dog for the treatment. This is done with the skilled hands of the practitioner, bringing balance and healing to your pet. The Closing is the final step, performed to complete the treatment session. It is same as The Opening—the message therapist will run a hand from the eye to the hind foot of the dog. This closes the session, leaving the dog feeling relaxed and refreshed. Depending on the animal itself, age, genetics and the condition being treated, a session can last from 20 to 60 minutes.

As you begin uncovering the wonders and benefits of dog massage, you will realize that your discoveries come from your and the practitioner’s intuition rather than anything specifically based one scientific theory. Sometimes there are patterns of pain distribution that have no explanation from a Western standpoint and yet can gain successful treatment from Eastern remedies. Open your mind to the idea of dog massage and begin seeing the results.