Benefits of Canine Therapeutic Massage
Canine massage can be offered for relaxation, rehabilitation, or competition or agility purposes from puppies to seniors. The benefit of massage to dogs is equivalent to the benefit experienced by humans.
Massage therapy has many physiological effects for the dog or other small animal. Animal experiments were conducted as early as the 19th century to document these effects. The physiological effects of canine massage include the following:
Improved circulation
Relaxation and tension relief
Increased toxin excretion
Assists healing
Offers end of life comfort
Posture maintenance and balance
Improved mental focus and attitude
Improved athletic performance and endurance
Reduced stiffness helping to restore mobility to injured areas
Endorphin release – nature’s pain killer and tranquilizer
Healthy skin and coat promotion by distributing natural oils
Injury prevention by increasing range of motion and enhancing muscle tone
In particular, canine massage used for rehabilitation purposes can include the following benefits:
Help to relieve age related problems
Reverse muscle atrophy from inactivity or disuse
Provide relief from muscle tension, soreness, spasms, and weaknesses
Provide relief from chronic pain and discomfort from arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc. through the release of endorphins.
