Myofascial Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition which affects the bodies 3D Network of Fascia, a multi dimensional, electricity field generating, ubiquitous tissue that is now becoming considered to be a 2nd Nervous System and is potentially THE most important communication system for the body. When part of this fascia becomes affected the knock on effects to a dogs mobility, character and activity levels can be huge. It connects muscle, bone tendons and organs

It causes pain, stiffness and reduced mobility but can also mimic the symptoms of other diseases such as Arthritis. It is known to hold patterns of emotional memory; for instance in the case of a dog a traumatic experience such as a bereavement, a rehome, or an attack can all produce myofascial issues that you as an owner will often see as nerves and anxiety alongside more common issues such as pain and restricted movement. Fascia helps to support, protect and separate tissues of the body like bone and muscle and immediately is able to affect every cell in the body.

Myofascial Pain in dogs can happen anywhere in the body although one of the most common areas is the Thorax, and it requires direct bodywork to help relieve it or resolve it. Painkillers and traditional NSAIDS often don’t improve dogs with myofascial pain. Massage that encompasses myofascial release however can produce significant and profound changes in your dog

Dogs with Myofascial Pain will show one or more of the following symptoms:

Why does this happen?

Fascia influences EVERYTHING in the body. It wraps every organ, muscle and bone and when it becomes restricted it becomes dysfunctional.

We’re going to use the analogy of an Orange to help you understand this substance which is everywhere in yours and your dogs body. Think of Fascia like an Orange. The outside skin of the orange is the like the dogs skin, however the dogs skin should slide nicely with the superficial layer of fascia. Think of the superficial fascia like the thicker pith of the orange.

When Myofascial restrictions and pain are present this ‘slide and glide’ action is either reduced or inhibited. The fascia becomes tightened to the skin, increasing nerve and pain sensitivity (hence the twitching of the skin)and clasps down over the muscle inhibiting its natural movement, it can also cause nerve dysfunction, oedema and patterns of pain referral.

But it doesn’t stop there, each segment of the orange is also wrapped in its own sac. So basically a muscle has its own sac made out of fascia. This is called Endomysium. Individual muscles are wrapped and divided by intermuscular fascial septum. These should also slide and glide.

Now, look even further and you will see that within each segment of orange are thousands of individual little segments that hold the juice. This can be likened to a a muscle which is wrapped in fascia (this types is called Endomysium) and then every individual fibre inside it is wrapped again! Its pretty amazing stuff.

It quite literally is the 3D network of your body Whats more if you could extrapolate fascia from the body you would be left with a perfect 3D model of you as it holds contours, features and posture too. When it becomes impeded you will see one of more of the previously listed symptoms.
Why does Fascia in a dog become Dysfunctional?
Reasons for Myofascial Pain in dogs include:

Fascia has been overlooked for a very long time and although it is more common to hear it discussed in the human bodywork world, the canine world has been a little slow to catch on. Of course at the Canine Massage Therapy Centre we’ve been teaching our students 2 styles of Myofascial Release since the launch of our Practitioner Programme in 2011 so you could say we are innovators in the field of Canine Bodywork. Find your local practitioner here www.k9-massageguild.co.uk
What else does it do?

Fascia has:

To find a therapist in your area, check out the “Find a Therapist” page