"Massage restores to the
body the
natural movement of its nutritive fluids"
-Asclepiades
Massage therapy is
the act of kneading, stroking, and compressing the muscle tissue
to aid in pain reduction, the relief of muscle restrictions, and
the improvement of general well-being. It benefits all
ages, breeds, ranging from the the anxious/nervous animals, to
the active/agility animals, to the older/geriatric animals.
Massage benefits pets in the following ways:
-
Decreases recovery
time from injury
-
Helps decrease
arthritis/joint pain
-
Relieves muscular
tightness and spasms
-
Enhances
circulation to the blood and lymphatic system
-
Aids in
performance enhancement
-
Calms/soothes the
nervous system
-
Promotes excretion
of wastes
-
Stimulates
digestion
Why would an
animal need a massage?
Pretty much the
same reason people do. Their muscles can get tight and
overworked resulting in muscular restrictions and possible
injury. In addition to relaxation, massage increases
circulation, decreases pain, and enhances overall performance of
muscle.
How is
petting an animal different than massage?
Massage includes a
series of strokes designed to affect the muscle in the most
beneficial way. Strokes range from slow, long, and
relaxing to short, fast, and stimulating. Here are a few
examples:
Effleurage:
Long, gliding, soothing strokes
Petrissage:
Circular strokes that knead the muscle tissue
Compression:
Direct pressure applied to the muscle
Vibration:
Faster motion used to soften and loosen the tissue
Friction:
Deeper pressure applied in circular motion or cross fiber
How long
does a massage take?
Typically a full
body session takes about 25 to 35 minutes.
Rates and
Appointments:
The rate for a
full body massage is available upon request. Please call
ahead to schedule your pet's appointment.
In order to
provide your pet with the most comfortable experience, we do ask
that you be present at least for the first appointment.
All pets must have had a
veterinary exam within the year, be current with their rabies
and distemper vaccinations and be free of internal and external
parasites. Additionally, all dogs receiving massage while
staying with us for boarding, grooming, or daycare must have an
annual bordetella vaccine while all cats staying with us for
boarding or grooming
must have an annual leukemia/AIDS test.
