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About Massage

Sports massage includes techniques of effleurage, kneading or petrissage, and percussion.

A performance maintenance massage is a combination of Swedish Massage and Sports massage techniques blended in a unique sequence of steps. The focus of performance maintenance massage is to impact the specific systems of the body for relaxation, stress reduction, and performance enhancement. The result is increased circulation allowing the muscles to be more supple. Applying performance maintenance massage weekly, bi-weekly or monthly will help prevent recurring injuries, improve endurance by maintaining flexibility, and hopefully extend the animal’s career. A word of advice…a performance maintenance massage should be performed at least three days before a scheduled competition. The body needs time to adjust to all the changes that occur during and after the massage.

Although the benefits of massage therapy are great, it is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your animal is injured please consult your veterinarian. We encourage you to talk to your veterinarian to see if you and your animals would benefit from sports massage therapy and have them give us a call with any questions. The benefits of massage are both physical and psychological. The goal is to reduce mental and physical stresses for the horse. This will not only enhance the horse’s health and well-being, but will also lead to a deeper bond between you and your equine partner.

A few benefits:

1. Increases circulation removes toxins including lactic acid build-up.
2. Reduces muscle tension, cramping, and soreness. When tension is released, muscles relax.
3. Decreases recovery time from intense training sessions.
4. Decreases injury recovery time.
5. Helps prevent injury.
6. Enhances muscle function. (tone)
7. Stimulates neurological activity.
8. Helps maintain the whole body in better physical condition --EquiBalance

Equine Issues that may indicate massage would be helpful:

Changes in Posture

Lifting the head and hollowing the neck and back
Flexing away from an approaching saddle or blanket
Dipping the back when mounted
Flinching away when being groomed
Threatening with flattened ears, hollowed back, raised hindquarters, or lifting a hind leg
Fidgeting when tied
Hunching the back
Girth Sensitivity
Head Tossing
Does not prefer to stand square
Head tilt

Changes in Tail Carriage

Carrying the tail to one side
Tail Clamping
Tail Swishing

Common Warning Signs

Is your horse trying to tell you something?

Refusing leads
Head tossing
Bucking and kicking
Sudden change of attitude
Difficulty bending through neck or back
Resisting extension
Girth sensitivity
Cold back
Wind sucking after or during exercise
 

Canine Massage

Injury and Post-Operative Support

Regular massage therapy can benefit your dog during recovery from surgery, or injury. Consult with your veterinarian prior to beginning a massage therapy program to ensure it’s approriateness for your dog. Massage therapy can reduce pain and tension resulting from hip dysphasia, luxating patella, and OCD. Post operatively, massage therapy will prevent muscle tension from developing in other muscles of the body due to compensation, and will relax and provide comfort to your dog. It also speeds the healing process.

Older Dogs

Dogs in their golden years benefit greatly from massage therapy! Arthritis and rheumatism are common in geriatric dogs. While massage therapy cannot cure these conditions, it is highly effective in reducing resulting pain and muscle tension, and is said to slow down the degenerative process. Massage therapy is a natural way to relieve pain without the use of potentially dangerous drugs. Massage therapy is extremely helpful in increasing muscle tone, circulation, and flexibility in dogs with a reduced activity level.

Changes in Facial Expression

Wrinkling of the nostrils
Narrowing of the eyelids
Rolling eyes
Flattening one or both ears
Grinding Teeth
Sharp intake of breath
Grunting