Therapeutic Massage and Your Dog

As veterinarians become more conscious of the details and nuances of how dogs experience pain, they search for more methods with which to battle both acute and chronic pain in these patients.

It is common now to look to human medicine for ideas and techniques that can be applied to dogs who are dealing with pain issues to help them feel better and to help relieve their pain and discomfort.

Therapeutic massage is one example of a physical medicine technique that has found a place in the canine pain management toolbox.

What exactly is therapeutic massage?

Therapeutic massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using techniques such as holding, moving tissue, and applying pressure in a variety of ways. There are several techniques used, and the terminology generally describes a way in which the practitioner’s hands interact with the dog’s tissues. Each stroke has a specific purpose and application.

What are the various massage strokes, and what do they accomplish?

Simple stroking, also known as effleurage, is generally used to open and close a massage session. Stroking involves running the whole hand over the dog, with light to medium pressure, from the head to the tail and down each of the limbs, in the direction of hair growth. Effleurage is used to assist with circulation of blood and lymph and may be effective at resolving edema (swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the body).

The next, deeper level of pressure in a massage is petrissage. Petrissage involves a kneading compression stroke of the muscles and the skin over them. It is used to relieve muscle tension, knots in the soft tissues, and muscle spasms. The muscles may be lifted and rolled.

A variation on petrissage is skin rolling. Skin rolling is just what the name implies: the skin is gently pulled away from the body and rolled or pushed forward in a continuous motion gradually working from the ends of the limbs to the torso, and from the tail to the head. Skin rolling can release any adherence of the skin to the deeper tissues, and it can increase circulation of both lymph and blood in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Most dogs enjoy the sensations associated with skin rolling. 

Finally, the massage may involve a more concussive stroke. Chopping, tapping, and tapotement are concussive strokes that energize tissues, causing increased circulation of lymph and blood, and may stimulate muscle tone.

• Chopping involves using the edge of the hand in a rapid chopping fashion using medium pressure. Chopping is usually applied over areas of large muscle mass.
• Tapping can be applied over more focused areas than chopping, and is done by holding the fingers together, slightly curved, and tapping the area being worked on.
• Tapotement involves cupping the hand and using the edge of the hand and the tips of the fingers to form a circular surface as the point of contact with the patient’s body.

Is there any reason massage should not be performed?

There are several contraindications for massage. 

• Massage should not be performed over open wounds, around unstable fractures, or when a dog is experiencing pain that is not yet appropriately controlled.
• Massage should not be performed directly over tumors or areas that are infected.
• Massage should be performed with caution in dogs with blood-clotting problems.

Can I perform massage on my dog at home?

Although formal, full-body massage is best performed by a trained individual, many elements of dog massage can be easily demonstrated and taught for application at home. In fact, by learning how to perform certain massage techniques and interacting with your dog in this intimate and healing way, you can really expand your relationship with him. The kind of physical contact that is such a critical part of massage can help strengthen the bond with your dog.

Talk to your veterinary healthcare team if you are interested in learning more about massage for your dog. If your dog would benefit from this therapy, they can teach you how to provide some massage techniques at home.