How do I know if my dog would benefit from clinical canine massage?
Dogs can be very good at hiding pain, meaning that signs of discomfort can be subtle. If you recognise any of the below in your dog, they may benefit from massage:
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Lameness/Limping
Stiffness
Difficulty going up or down stairs
Problems getting in or out of the car
Slowing down before their time
Hopping or skipping on back legs
Slowing down on walks or disinterested
Gait or Posture irregularities
Neck/Back/Shoulder issues
Reluctant to be petted, groomed or examined
Nerves or anxiety
Crying out in pain or yelping
Performance issues in sporting dogs
Orthopaedic conditions, such as Arthritis, Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella
Change in behaviour, such as becoming snappy or depressed
Self-mutilation, such as biting or nibbling
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For more information about orthopaedic conditions and soft tissue injuries, click here.
What results can I expect to see with my dog?
Every dog is different and will respond differently to massage. Recent clinical trials conducted by the Canine Massage Guild with Winchester University have shown that over 95% of dogs responded positively to clinical canine massage therapy. Below are some common benefits identified by owners:
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Resolution or reduction of lameness
Moving freely
Relieved stiffness/soreness
A pain free dog
Improved mood
More willing to be touched, groomed and examined
Have their ‘zest’ for life back
Able to use stairs and get into car
Coping better with arthritis
Faster recovery from injury or operation
Enjoying walks again
Able to live life to the full
Improved sporting performance
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Find out more about the clinical trials here.
What to expect during your first treatment
Consultation
During the consultation I will ask you a few questions about your dog’s history and lifestyle, including their activities of daily living, diet, exercise regime and any past injuries. At this point, we’ll also talk about your expectations of the massage.
Gait and postural analysis
I will observe the way your dog walks, trots and canters, as well as the way they stand, sit and transition between lying and standing. I will be looking for any irregularities in the way that they move and generally hold themselves. This will help me to identify areas of restriction, stiffness and pain.
Palpation
This is a hands-on assessment of the superficial muscles and soft tissues of your dog’s body. This allows me to feel for any areas of injury or issue, which often go undetected.
Massage treatment
Having assessed your dog, I will progress with their first treatment, which I will tailor to their specific needs. I will use a number of techniques from the following four disciplines of massage: Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, and direct and indirect myofascial release. During the massage I will seek to address areas of hypertonicity, muscle strains, scarring, trigger points and myofascial pain.
Aftercare advice
At the end of the session, I will provide suggestions and recommendations relating to steps that you can take to help your dog after receiving their massage.
Veterinary consent
Please be aware that I am unable to provide treatment without prior consent from your dog's vet. More information, including a link to the Veterinary Consent Form can be found here.
Your second and third treatments
To ensure that you get the best results for your dog, it is recommended that they receive 3 massage treatments over a 3 to 5 week period. Following your dog’s first treatment, any subsequent massages will take about 60 minutes.
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After your dog’s third massage, I will write a short report that I will share with your vet, for their records. Edinburgh Clinical Canine Massage follows Best Practice Principles; if your dog shows no sign of improvement by the end of the third session, I will refer them back to their veterinary surgeon for further investigation.
Pricing
A clinical canine massage therapy treatment session costs £40. The first session will take about 90 minutes, subsequent sessions will last up to 60 minutes.
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There may be an additional travel cost for home visits outside of the Edinburgh area, and this will be discussed at the time that the first appointment is made.
Veterinary consent
Edinburgh Clinical Canine Massage works in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemption Order 2015. This means that, before I can massage your dog, you will need to contact your dog’s vet to obtain a signed Veterinary Consent Form.
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I would ask that you share the signed consent form with me prior to your dog’s first appointment, or bring it with you on the day. I will never work with a dog that does not have the required veterinary consent in place.
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Veterinary consent is a legal requirement. It also helps to make me aware of any global or local contraindications to massage, and helps to inform me of any underlying conditions that I need to take account of when planning your dog’s treatment.
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The Veterinary Consent form can be downloaded here.
Maintenance treatments
Many dogs benefit from regular maintenance treatments, the frequency of which is very much owner led, but are typically carried out every 4 to 8 weeks. Maintenance massages can be especially helpful for older dogs or those with orthopaedic issues such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or luxating patella, as massage helps to maintain mobility and alleviate chronic pain. Very active, and sporting dogs, also benefit from maintenance treatments, which can help to improve performance, by maintaining flexibility and mobility.
