by Lynn Bekkers
Massage has been used for therapeutic purposes - on both humans and animals. Equine massage therapy was practiced by ancient Chinese and Romans since the very dawn of time and the benefits have been documented in our earliest cultures from the Egyptians... to the Phoenicians... to the Greeks... to the Romans and on to the present time. It is noteworthy, that in the very first books on human and veterinary medicine, entire chapters would be devoted to the use, benefits and implementation of massage therapy. Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy.
Later on, as so-called miracle drugs were developed, the medical establishment in concert with the fledgling pharmaceutical industry decided that "old fashion" therapies and treatments - like massage - were no longer needed, nor did they have any meaningful place in a health regimen. Unlike drugs, the quick fix, we realized that they could be negative, and have side effects. In the 1980s the move towards holistic therapies has grown with mainly the companion animals and horses.
The physiological benefits of massage therapy include:
Circulatory system, digestive system, muscular system, nervous system, respiratory system, lymphatic system, integumentary system, and the skeletal system.
The massage touch has a very strong healing influence on any animal. It is used to prevent and relieve stress as well as assist in recovery from injuries.
As we see today there are many animals used in sports. Much like humans, there are many animal injuries associated with sports. Using massage can strengthen and give your companion animal more flexibility and upon could have shorter recuperation time. With massage it can help with maintaining a level of health and fitness, assist an animal that is rehabilitating from an injury or illness, or to optimize the performance potential of an athletic animal.
Massage and other holistic, natural-alternative therapies are not a substitute for veterinary care, but rather a complement to it. Consult your veterinarian regularly, especially if any symptoms which may require diagnosis or medical treatment are present.
| A 2004 SAMP/LAMP graduate, Lynn practices animal massage from her Port Moody studio or in her clients home. Her expertise in energy work also includes Bone Moving and Therapeutic Touch Healing. Lynn's passion and care for animals goes from the smallest of dogs to the largest of horses. For additional information contact Lynn at 604-202-6736, or email leashwel@telus.net. Lynn's sister Daynna Major, is also a practitioner of animal massage, and can be reached at 604-939-2602 or at ribbonshounds@shaw.ca. |