<< Back to Canine Massage
What Happens
On your dogs first session we spend 15-30 minutes on their consultation which consists of:
Assessing Their Day to Day lifestyle
Exercise
Diet
Medical History
What results you want to see from their massage
Gait Analysis
This is where I analyse the way your dog walks, trots and canter. From this I can see areas where pain, soreness and stiffness are being held, any gait irregularities they are exhibiting and areas of the musco-skeletal system which may or may not be functioning correctly. This is a great way for you the owner to compare before and after treatment and the impact it has had.
Postural Analysis: We look at how your dog is holding their body which can reveal areas of overcompensation and pain referral
Palpation
I examine your dog with my hands from head to toe moving from muscle in a structured way down and across your dogs body. I am feeling for areas of scarring, injury, soreness, pain, trigger points, spasm, contracture, heat, cold, sensitivity and am generally assessing any muscles that aren`t functioning as they should be.
This also gives your dog chance to acquaint themselves with me and become comfortable which I consider to be of the utmost importance.
Full body treatment
As this is clinical massage no routine is followed so every dog can receive the most beneficial massage. This lasts around 50 minutes - 1 hour. Each massage is adapted and adjusted to suit the individual dog with their needs, the way they physically respond and their body language being taking into account throughout the session.
Afterwards, I sit with you and explain what I have found and where and leave you with a set of instructions to follow so the dog can get the most from their session and you can see the results you want.
Subsequent visits are 1 hour and I typically work on 3 sessions over 3 weeks as this produces the best results. Sometimes you may want another session or two if your dog has got in ground problems they have held for years and I do recommend an extra session for dogs who have had cruciate ligament surgery as quite often their bodies become "rock like" and it can take a session or two to simply soften the muscles so I can work on them accordingly.
It should be noted that the Canine Massage Therapy Centre acknowledges and respects the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemption Order 1962 by never working upon an animal without gaining prior veterinary approval and your vet is sent a full Post Treatment Report after your dog`s treatment is completed.
The Healing Crisis With Dogs
It is imperative that your dog is kept quiet for 24-48 hours after the massage and has a light meal, plenty of rest and constant access to water as the body rebalances itself and responds to the bodywork which has been performed.
A cleansing and purifying state occurs as the body attempts to dispel toxins and metabolic waste and return to homeostasis; that is a return to a state of equilibrium and natural balance so the body may function normally and naturally. It is normal for your dog to be quiet, tired and lethargic after their very first session of canine massage therapy.
