| Have you ever had all of your stress melted | | | | inside of the limbs. A circular, hand-over-hand |
| away with the help of a simple massage? If so, | | | | technique is used in order to stimulate the |
| you know how relaxing and soothing a massage | | | | movement of blood. Kneading, on the other hand, |
| can be. The same is true for your pet! In fact, | | | | is used to either stimulate the skin and hair coat |
| may people are deciding to give their pets | | | | or to stimulate the muscle fibers. This is |
| massages in order to help them heal more quickly | | | | accomplished by rolling and pinching the skin and |
| from illness or injury as well as to provide them | | | | applying the pressure directly to the muscle |
| with an overall better sense of wellness. | | | | rather than to the bone. |
| The Benefits of Massage | | | | Passive joint movement is different in that it |
| Just as with humans, there are many benefits | | | | involves stretching and moving the joints, making |
| associated with giving a pet a massage. Some of | | | | it similar to physical therapy. Proper positioning is |
| the benefits of massaging your pet include:o | | | | crucial with this form of massage, as improper |
| Calming your peto Decreasing your pet's | | | | placement can actually cause trauma to the tissue |
| recovery time after experiencing trauma or | | | | and the joint. Passive touch is also different |
| undergoing surgeryo Increasing your pets blood | | | | because it does not involve any type of |
| circulation or the circulation of its nervous system | | | | movement or pressure. Rather, the hand is simply |
| or lymphatic systemo Increasing your pet's | | | | held in place for 30 seconds to 90 seconds in |
| movement and flexibilityo Reducing your pet's | | | | order to warm the tissue and calm the animal. |
| paino Reducing your pet's stresso Removing | | | | Stroking is similar to what many pet owners do |
| toxins from your pet's organs and body | | | | when petting their animal friend, though it is also |
| It should be noted that massage is not meant to | | | | included as a part of the massage and is meant |
| replace veterinary care. Rather, it is meant to | | | | to be applied slowly and lightly at the end of the |
| work along with veterinary care to increase the | | | | massage session. Tapotement, on the other hand, |
| effectiveness of treatment. | | | | is intended to stimulate the pet and may involve |
| Types of Massage | | | | tapping and brushing various muscle areas. Since |
| Surprisingly, there are actually many different | | | | this technique is so stimulating, however, it should |
| types of massage that may be used on a pet. | | | | never be used on a pet with a history of abuse. |
| These include:o Efflurageo Kneadingo Passive Joint | | | | There are numerous techniques that can be used |
| Movemento Passive Toucho Strokingo | | | | when massaging a pet. Just as with humans, |
| Tapotement | | | | however, it is best to consult with a professional |
| With Efflurage, the entire body of the pet is | | | | in order to obtain the best results from this form |
| rubbed, including rubbing down the outside and the | | | | of therapy. |