Most of us have had a nice, relaxing therapeutic massage at least one time in our lives, I would guess. If you have, then you will agree that it relaxes muscle tension, relieves stress, and just makes you feel good. For more than 120 years, research in massage therapy has been ongoing. However, no one needs to do a study to determine that animals benefit from massage the same way humans do.
Not only will a pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic massage relieve our stress, it will help your anxiety filled pooch relax too. Dogs actually do have stress, believe it or not. Many owners have found out the hard way that their pooch has separation anxiety, probably after returning home to what looks like a "war zone". Thunderstorms are another trigger, but a dog with temperament problems would surely gain from a rub down, especially if it comes from "their human".
Dogs can get strained and sore muscles for a number of reasons, but often it is result of inactivity due to injury, illness, age or obesity. Properly applied massage techniques will help to tone the muscles of an inactive pooch, as well as ease the pain and decrease the ache of both arthritis and hip-dysplasia. Massage helps decrease swelling and accelerate the healing process by stimulating blood circulation and lymph flow. A massage will actually boost your dogs internal health, as well.
Massage therapy would not be recommended in some instances though, such as infection, open wounds, fever, shock, fractures or lumps. There are certified dog massage practitioners who are trained in dog anatomy and can apply the correct techniques without risking your pups health. To reap the maximum benefits special training is required, but there are simple techniques that you can do at home for your dog. Not only will you be able to spend quality time with your pup while you give him a rub down, but you will be able to spot situations on your dog's body that you may not have caught, otherwise. So go ahead and show your dog how much you "knead him", he will love you for it!
