Paws Fur Massage

14/05/2019

One of the many reasons Canine Massage is a practiced art and not just loving touches for your dog.

The difference is between having your loved one rub your shoulders verses having a professional massage. They both feel good, but the professional touch has lasting benefits.

Canine Massage Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic massage treatment. The goal of lymphatic drainage in the massage is to increase the flow of lymph and reduce toxins in the body.

The lymph system is part of the dog’s body's immune system and helps fight infection. Lymph itself is a clear, slightly yellow fluid. It transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, collecting toxins on the way and flushing them out through the lymph nodes. There are around twice as many lymph vessels as blood vessels in the dog’s body. However, unlike blood, which is pumped around by your heart, the lymph system has no pump. The pressure from their blood vessels and movement from their muscles push the lymphatic fluid around.

Lymphatic drainage massage has beneficial effects on dogs’ general health. Improving the flow and drainage of lymph around the body is good for dogs in lots of ways.

Benefits:
1. Reduces the suffering from minor colds and viruses
2. Helps the body fight off infection, and speeds up healing and recovery from illness
3. Reduces water retention; for instance, because the lymph system has no pump. When dogs sit for a long time without moving, the lymph can't flow easily — this is why he may experience swollen wrists and hocks
4. Boosts weight loss. improving the lymphatic system improves metabolic rate, which helps burn calories more efficiently
5. Manual lymphatic drainage is also used in the treatment of lymphoedema
6. Improves skin texture by reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches
7. Speeds up healing in scar tissue
Skills
1. Use very light pressure
2. Long, gentle, rhythmic strokes following the venous cardiovascular patterns
3. Light fingertip scratching over the lymph nodes toward the heart
4. Muscle stripping
5. Rocking
6. Joint mobilization
7. Holding and breathing
Begin by working your way up from the paws. Lymphatic drainage massage uses very light pressure, as well as long, gentle, rhythmic strokes and soft pumping movements toward, over, and away from the lymph nodes.

Effects
1. Fatigue
2. Thirsty
3. Tender
4. Unsteady/disoriented
Lymphatic drainage can leave dogs feeling exhausted. They may want to rest for the rest of the day. They need time to ease their bodies back into activity. Lymphatic drainage massage may also leave them thirsty. It’s a process of flushing out the system; encouraging them to drink plenty of water adds to the treatment.

Post treatment plan

After the rest period, gentle activity, like a walk, will help encourage healthy lymph flow. Movement at the joints exerts pressure on the lymphatic vessels and keeps lymph flowing through them.

Anastasia’s Affirmation:
When I incorporate Lymphatic Drainage in dogs PetMassage, I provide another powerful way for them to feel better, heal faster, and become more balanced.

www.petmassage.com

04/05/2019

Channel the energy of the force for a relaxing day!

Have a great Day! Meow 🤗🐱💙

15/04/2019

Thanks for the giggle!

14/04/2019

Successful PetMassage for Kids session is in the books. Thank you Animal Humane Society for hosting us!

02/04/2019

Sometimes dogs would prefer not to be touched or interacted with. It is important to first ask permission before massaging a dog. They have right to say no, we must learn to hear it.

31/03/2019

This is the cofounder of PetMassage she brings a relaxing spirit to the art of canine massage. Peace of Paw I call it.

Anastasia's Affirmation #204

https://petmassage.com/category/petmassage-blog/anastasias-affirmations/

26/03/2019

Affirmations to continue focus.

Anastasia's Affirmation #204

https://petmassage.com/category/petmassage-blog/anastasias-affirmations/

26/03/2019

This news letter comes from the PetMassage School that I received my certification from. Good info.

Stretching at Joints

In its most basic form, stretching is a naturally instinctive activity; it is performed by humans and many other animals. Stretching often occurs instinctively after waking from sleep, after long periods of inactivity, or after exiting confined spaces. This is an appropriate activity to foster and use, since it comes from our dog’s natural instincts.

Stretching refreshes dormant muscles by elongating them. The alteration of pressure within the muscle tissue squeezes out old, tired, used fluids and draws in fluids that are fresh and clean.

Increasing flexibility through stretching is one of the basic tenets of physical fitness. It is common for athletes to stretch before and after exercise in order to reduce injury and increase performance.

When a specific muscle or tendon (or muscle group) is deliberately flexed or stretched, it results in increased muscle control, flexibility, and range of motion. Stretching, in combination with bringing the elements of the joint toward each other, is used therapeutically to alleviate cramps.

When you are stretching your dog’s limb, be sure that it’s a controlled and safe activity. There is more to stretching a leg than pulling the paw away from the shoulder. There are physiological, body mechanic, and emotional behaviors you need to keep in mind. Remember the key words here: controlled and safe.

For example, if you are stretching the elbow, you need to remember that the elbow and the wrist are reciprocal joints. That is, when one bends, the other bends. And, when one straightens, so does the other. When you grasp the humerus above the joint and the radius and ulna bones below it, be careful not to grasp so low that your dog’s wrist movements are restricted. If the wrist is not free to move, you are placing unnecessary strain on the elbow. The stifle and hock are also reciprocal joints.

Your grip must be light. Use just enough pressure so that the coat cannot slide from your fingers yet the leg is held securely. I seldom close my fingers around the limb. I prefer to cradle it, allowing its weight to hold it in place.

Supporting the bones of your dog’s limb on either side of the joint being elongated gives the dog a sense of security. Your gentle supporting hands remind the dog where his limb is, and how it is positioned during movement. This is called proprioception. During the stretch, your proximal hand, the hand closer to the trunk, supports, while your distal hand, the one further from the trunk, guides. You are not pulling; you are guiding. The movement must come from the dog.

During the return, when the stretch is complete and the limb reflexively pulls back toward its normal position, your hands work in the reverse. Your proximal hand accepts, while your distal hand guides. Every time I feel the leg retract into my palm I feel as if I’m receiving a precious gift. This is the control that insures that the dog does not pull out or kick out to the side.

Watch the tissues between your hands as they move. It’s true that what you focus on expands. Stretching is an expansion of the joint, so … your concentration, your intentional focus on the elbow energetically assists its movement. Your dog will bask in the focused presence that you are giving. Firstly, he loves, loves, loves the attention. Who wouldn’t? And, he will be more willing to cooperate when he knows what you are thinking and asking of him.

Your thoughts can be enhanced with your breath. They work together to support the movement you are requesting him to make. When we say breathe with the dog, we do not suggest that you can match the dog, breath for breath. Dogs breathe at different rates than people. Synchronize your breath with the movement you want to elicit. Inhaling is collecting, or bringing in. Exhaling is releasing, or pushing out. Exhaling with the stretch, and inhale with the return. You do not have to do everything in one breath. Your dog may want to sustain the stretch for several seconds. Just support him during his big movements.

Now, your breath, your presence, your intention, your support, your understanding of how your dog moves, all come together to assist your dog to stretch his limb.

This is a chapter from the book Canine Massage for a Senior Dog. Purchase this and other PetMassage books and DVDs at https://petmassage.com/store/massage-senior-dog-elements-style-full-body-petmassage-sequence/