This blog is based on my own observations on how canine massage therapy has helped one of my dogs and I can only say they are very positive. So I just wanted to share my experience in the hope that it may prove useful to other Canicrossers 🙂
Canine massage can be used to treat existing issues and, more importantly, help prevent any problems and injuries. This is why I am particularly interested in its benefits for dogs that take part in Canicross, and other dog sports for that matter!
I personally looked into canine massage, and specifically Galen Myotherapy, because one of my dogs, Winston, had a persistent injury.
A very lucky Winston getting his own personal massage!
Winston is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. We rescued him back in February from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in Windsor…thanks to the lovely Sarah Broome-Smith for pointing him out to us 🙂
He loves everybody, has heaps of energy and particularly enjoys playing with all his pals in doggy daycare. So when we introduced him to Canicross we knew he would be a natural!
Nearly six months ago we noticed Winston was limping (not as a result of Canicross I hasten to add). After a few days of rest and seeing no change, we took him to the vet who said it was likely tissue damage as a result of carpal hyper-extension or an acute sprain.
She prescribed tablets (an anti-inflammatory with mild painkiller) and advised us to give him two short lead walks a day. Not easy when you have a young, energetic dog, but we adhered to the vet’s advice.
Two/three weeks later, we had noticed a very slight improvement but nothing significant. So the vet prescribed more tablets but this time suggested we get an x-ray done to see what was going on.
The day we met Winston 🙂
The x-ray did highlight an area that indicated possible tissue damage but it was difficult to determine from the images (without undertaking an operation apparently!) if he had done more serious damage, such as a fracture.
We agreed to give him strict rest (i.e. no play or access to areas where he could jump up or down) and very short lead walks for at least a month and then make a call from there.
I did observe some improvement over the oncoming weeks but Winston was still limping so I decided to give Galen Myotherapy (soft tissue manipulation for dogs) a go.
After all, I had nothing to lose and, having read up on the treatment, thought this would at least make Winston more comfortable if he was in any pain or if he had put stress on other parts of his body as a result of his injury.
This was one of the best decisions I made!
Leanne focussing on Winston’s front carpal joint
I found my local Canine Myotherapist (Leanne Klein) via http://www.caninetherapy.co.uk and she came over to my house the following week to assess Winston and give him his first session.
This initial appointment took around 90 mins and was very thorough. It consisted of a consultation meeting (to ascertain Winston’s history) and an assessment of his injury. The latter involved observing how he walked on the lead and the use of a thermal imaging camera to detect any abnormal temperature asymmetries, where a hot or cold spot may indicate a particular issue.
Winston as seen through the lens of a thermal imaging camera – very artistic I thought!
Along with any information she had obtained from our vet (you must get your vet’s consent for your dog to have Galen Therapy) this all helped Leanne get a good overall picture of Winston and identify areas of his body that needed particular attention.
Initially, Winston was a bit fidgety when Leanne attempted to give him a massage (though I’m told that isn’t unusual) but Leanne had a very relaxed, personable and confident way about her (and is fantastic with dogs by the way) so it didn’t take too long for Winston to accept the treatment from her.
Leanne was brilliant with Winston!
Winston only had a brief massage during his first appointment so I didn’t really observe much, if any, change as a result of that session.
Leanne then came back the following week and dedicated the whole session (c60 mins) to the massage treatment. She gave him a full body massage but focussed most of the time on the abnormal hot/cold spots and other areas that needed specific attention. She also administered LED light therapy to his carpal area – this helps to stimulate healing, relieve pain, swelling and inflammation.
Winston enjoying a full body massage
It was after this second session that I observed a notable change in Winston’s gait and general demeanour. We were able to start giving him short off-lead walks and, whilst there was still evidence of his injury, it had improved and he was much more at ease.
Winston had two subsequent appointments and, during these sessions, Leanne kindly gave me some pointers for applying some basic massage techniques myself, along with some strengthening exercises for Winston’s affected carpal joint.
Leanne was great at explaining the treatment she was administering and why, so I could really appreciate the benefits of Galen Therapy – not just for treating Winston’s injury but also for applying general massage pre and post Canicross runs.
A relaxed Winston enjoying his massage 🙂
It was by the fourth and final session that I had noticed a marked improvement in Winston and over the following few weeks I was able to increase his off-lead walks and he was able to play with the other dogs. To be a normal young dog basically!
The best thing of all is that Winston is now back to his former self. He’s now back Canicrossing (hoorah!) and even walked up to the top of Scafell Pike on holiday recently in The Lake District! Just a couple of months ago I couldn’t have imagined that happening. We’re now looking forward to him competing in his first race next month 🙂
Before : Muscle higher up in his right forearm, digital flexors are working harder and there is more pronounced coldness in the carpal joint
After : This shows a more even temperature of both limbs
Winston was lame for over three months when I first met Leanne (and we’d observed very little improvement over that time) and just two months on he is completely over his injury.
Whilst tissue damage can heal of its own accord over time, I personally feel that the canine massage therapy he received expedited his recovery and, more importantly, addressed any potential new complaints down the road due to gait and body alignment issues caused from over compensating as a result of the primary injury.
Just as humans can benefit from a sports massage, my personal view is that dogs that take part in Canicross (or any other sports) can benefit hugely from a massage too; whether it’s to treat an injury, prevent an injury or simply enhance their recovery and performance.
Surely it’s a good thing for them from a psychological perspective too, i.e. an improved mental focus and attitude, and it must do wonders for their skin and coat?
As a result of Winston’s treatment, Leanne has also given my other two dogs a massage and I will continue to have them all treated on a regular basis. After all, the dogs come first! 🙂
