Benefits of Massage

As awareness grows and misconceptions fade regarding the value of massage therapy, more and more people are discovering for themselves and their animals the amazing benefits available to them through therapeutic bodywork.

Canine athletes involved in agility, fly ball or basic obedience, or dogs involved in mentally and physically demanding work such as search and rescue, police K-9 units and guide dogs as much as companion dogs would benefit tremendously from massage. Equine massage is being used around the world to enhance performances of horses used for dressage, jumping, racing, cutting and ranch and police work.

Your animals cannot say to you, "I am sore, I don’t want to do this today." Instead, your animals will communicate non-verbally. If your animal does any, or all of the following, chances are good that muscle tension and stress are built up in muscles:

• tossing of head
• stumbling
• refusing or resisting leads (horses)
• shortened strides
• poor disposition

Remember massage is not a replacement for veterinary care, and it is also a good idea to have your animal see your vet before any therapeutic treatment to rule out any serious diagnosis. Massage therapists are not veterinarians: We do not perform diagnosis and massage is not a substitute for proper veterinary care… This is extremely important to understand.

Otherwise massage therapy received at regular intervals can:

• Increase oxygenation into muscles and tissues
• Increase elasticity of muscles
• Increase range of motion, flexibility and length of stride
• Increase performance level through pre-event therapy
• Release contracted muscles
• Reduce muscular tension and stiffness
• Reduce soft tissue injuries
• Reduce recovery time from post performance
• Relax stressed or worried animals
• And all around improve wellness in the animals’ body and mind.

With the re-emergence of holistic health theories and acceptance of therapies, therapeutic massage is experiencing a renaissance and is regaining its rightful place among health care practitioners for people and their animals.

For more information call Lori Manzella at 941-685-0006.