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Massage Therapy
Have you ever had a massage? They make you feel better, they are relaxing, and they have many health benefits. Animals and humans have only minor differences in their anatomy and physiology. Which is why animals experience the same massage and exercise benefits that we do.
Massage therapy is a type of manual bodywork that uses gentle, noninvasive techniques to support the body's natural systems. Many of the same benefits of massage therapy for humans, such as relaxation and reduced muscle tension, also apply to our four-legged companions. Massage therapy can have both broad and specific benefits, depending on the techniques utilized.
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BENEFITS
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Decrease pain, improve joint & tissue health, enhance immune system, relieve tight & sore muscles, improve recovery time, reduce stress & anxiety...
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INDICATIONS
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Anxiety, arthritis, pain or injury, pre/post surgery, behavior challenges, orthopedic & neurological, sprains & strains, tight muscles, stress, pre/post athletic event, palliative or hospice care.
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Types of massage: Swedish (Relaxation), Therapeutic (Medical), Deep tissue, Sports massage (pre/post event), and Lymphatic massage.
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5 Core Modalities
1. GENERAL RELAXATION MASSAGE
Swedish massage sessions may be appropriate for follow-up visits of established clients, small dogs, and animals receiving massage for relaxation without medical concerns. Great for overall well-being and maintence.
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2. THERAPEUTIC / MEDICAL MASSAGE
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Medical massage is great for medical conditions that will benefit with the use of massage therapy being a part of your pet's/animal's wellness plan. I will work with your veterinarian to provide medical massage treatments. Great for post-surgical procedures and chronic pain/injuries. Animals with decreased mobility from chronic injuries can improve their range o motion and decrease pain.
3. SPORTS MASSAGE (PRE/POST EVENT)
Sports massage enlivens and prepares animals mentally and physically for an event. There are 2 types pre-event and post-event.
1. Pre-event: Is quick, light and prepares them mentally and physically for an event.
2. Post-event: Removes metabolic waste and delayed discomfort that may follow competition.
4. LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
Manual lymphatic drainage, for edema management, immune-boosting, pre- and post-surgical, post-seizure, and oncology care.
Decrease pain, improve joint & tissue health, enhance immune system, relieve tight & sore muscles, improve recovery time, reduce stress & anxiety. Anxiety, arthritis, pain or injury, pre/post-surgery, behavior challenges, orthopedic & neurological, sprains & strains, tight muscles, stress, pre/post athletic event, palliative or hospice care.
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5. DEEP TISSUE
Deep tissue massage uses a firm pressure and slow strokes to massage deep layers of muscle and fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles. Deep tissue massages are used to break up scar tissue and break down muscle adhesions (the "knots") These knots can inhibit circulation and cause pain and inflammation.
ENHANCEMENTS - ADD ONS
Take it up a notch! 5-CORE, THEN ADD MORE...
Massage enhancements can be added to any of the 4 more modalities. Massage is wonderful all by itself, but the benefits can be enhanced by adding massage add-ons. Adding these services to a massage provides additional therapeutic benefit. Enhancements are a great way to further customized sessions to better fit your fur kid's needs.
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ADD ONS
GUA SHA SCRAPPING
Gua massage has been used in China for thousands of years. Using a stone as a tool, you gently apply a "scrapping" motion over the skin that helps with circulation, collagen production, scar tissue and lymph drainage.
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The act of “scraping” or gently rubbing the round edge of the gua sha tool over your dog’s neck, back, and limbs can reduce the pain response and increase a release of endorphins. Its a similar concept of when you bonk your elbow, and your immediate response it to rub that area to make it feel better. I place my non dominant hand over boney prominences, such as the spine, elbow, hips, or knees to prevent gua sha-ing directly over the bones.
Tools are made from stone such as Jade, which embodies peace and luck, and Rose Quartz, which is all about love and compassion.
DRY SKIN BRUSHING
Carefully monitoring an animal's reaction to being brushed can help spot discomfort early. Turning grooming sessions into an opportunity to spot soreness, increase circulation, encourages lymph flow and improve muscle tone. Dry brushing is useful to massage the muscles of the animals.
ROCKPODS
(MYOFASCIAL CUPPING)
Made from medical grade silicone/glass. Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This suction is thought to improve the flow of energy in the body and facilitate healing. It may help improve blood flow, boost immune function, remove toxins, and reduce pain. Proponents believe the suction helps facilitate the flow of “qi” in the body. Qi is a Chinese word meaning life force. Many believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens,
AROMATHERAPY
Animal aromatherapy does not replace veterinary medicine. Instead, it provides a holistic layer of support. Using essential oils with birds, reptiles, and newborn animals is not recommended. While aromatherapy is well-known for its therapeutic uses with humans, many may not know that aromatherapy may also be helpful for our animal friends too. In animals, aromatherapy reduces behavioral issues such as anxieties, obsessive behaviors and aggression, and physical conditions such as skin problems, arthritis, allergies, and more.
KINESIOTAPING
Briefly describe your degree and any other highlights about your studies you want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
PAW WAVE
(PERCUSSION THERAPY)
loosens muscle tightness and stimulates blood circulation, which can help improve mobility and joint health for your pet. Improve mobility for aging pets, helps prevent injuries, speeds up recovery from injuries. Percussive therapy provides rapid bursts of pressure into the tissue of the body to help relax sore tight muscles. While loosening fascia.
Q. What's your style?
A. Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy
I incorporate myo-manipulative functional therapy into every session. Myo-manipulative functional therapy is a form of bodywork that addresses any dysfunctions in movement or in the body's ability to work optimally.
It aids in restoring proper movement and function to the body to speed up healing, promote optimal athleticism and decrease the chance of injury.