If you have a dog that’s suffering from muscle, back or ligament problems, you may have had someone suggest massage therapy for your dog. What’s it all about? Does it work? Here is a no-nonsense look at this controversial therapy for dogs.
No matter what the treatment for an ailment, everyone will have an opinion on whether it’s truly effective and it’s no different when it comes to massage therapy for dogs. You’ll find people on both sides of this debate.
Personal Experience
When I was younger, my mom had an old Lhasa Apso that suffered from back and hip problems. This dog was often in pain and he moved very slowly. When I came to visit one day, I found my mom on the living room sofa with the dog on her lap and she was kneading his back all the way down to his leg muscles. I chuckled to myself when I first walked in. Then that poor, old dog got up, stretched and ran across the room like he was a little puppy. I stopped chuckling. Did it cure him? No – but, it did give him temporary relief from the pain he felt on a daily basis and gave him many moments of happiness twice a day. In short; it definitely helped.
What do Veterinarians Thinks?
If you do your research, you’ll find veterinarians are split on this issue, too. However, there are many that believe massage therapy can help a dog with a problem. If you visit the PetMD website, you’ll find numerous articles that reference massage therapy for your canine companion. From slipped discs to bad backs, muscle spasms, torn ligaments, tendon conditions, degenerative joint disease and arthritis, massage therapy is listed as a way to help lessen the pain and bring comfort to your dog.
What Does Massage Do for Dogs?
Marlene Grass, RVT, CMT has written an in-depth article posted on PetPlace.com entitled, “Massage Therapy for Dogs.” Although she’s quick to point out that massage should not be used as a substitute for needed veterinary care, it can offer the following benefits:
● Stress reduction
● Pain reduction or relief
● Increased flexibility
● Increased circulation of blood and benefits to the lymphatic and nervous systems
● Reduction of toxins in the body
Just as with human massage, there are numerous methods for canine massage. Although I may not opt for some of these techniques for my pet, there are enough varied options to choose from that can help bring relief when needed. If you have a dog that is suffering, you may want to give massage therapy a try.