Benefits of massage

Dogs benefit from massage in just the same way that their owners do. It’s ideal for easing muscular pain and resolving soft tissue injuries which, left unresolved, can lead to harder to treat problems that can often make your dog old before their time.

Why your dog may need Clinical Canine Massage

Muscular injuries aren’t always obvious, but if your dog ‘doesn’t seem right’ and displays any of the symptoms listed in the 5 Principles of Pain, then it could be time to ‘ask an expert’.

Canine Massage Guild therapists train for 2 years on the Canine Massage Therapy Centre’s highly respected Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme which is externally accredited by LANTRA.

Guild therapists utilise 4 massage disciplines: Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release. Most significantly they are trained in the unique Lenton Method™ of canine massage therapy, currently the subject of clinical trials with both Winchester University and University Centre Sparsholt. These therapies have helped thousands of dogs across the world experience positive changes within just 1-3 sessions.

Upon veterinary consent or referral, dogs are taken for clinical canine massage for many reasons including

  • Pain management for arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, luxating patella
  • Rehabilitation of muscular injuries such as lameness, stiffness or struggling with normal activities of daily living
  • Performance, gait, and posture issues in sporting and showing dogs
  • Addressing and resolving symptoms listed in the 5 Principles of Pain

However, your dog doesn’t have to be injured to benefit from clinical canine massage with a Canine Massage Guild therapist. For example, it can help to

  • Maintain and improve quality of life and mobility in older dogs
  • Improve exercise duration and frequency so your dog can enjoy longer walks
  • Improve and maintain mobility and acitvity levels
  • Keep sporting dogs – agility, flyball, hoopers, cani-cross and so on – at the top of their game…
  • … and even help dogs with anxiety, nervous behaviour and/or depression.

Is your dog showing any of these common signs of musculo-skeletal discomfort?

  • Stiffness
  • Soreness
  • Unable to go up/down stairs
  • Unable to get in/out of car
  • Mobility issues
  • Lost their ‘sparkle’
  • Depression
  • Posture changes
  • Coat changes
  • Uneven nail wear
  • Skin twitches
  • Old before their time
  • Unwilling to go for walks
  • Back/neck/hip issues
  • Agility performance issues, e.g., pole knocking, measuring

See our 5 Principles of Pain for a more details.

Benefits of massage combo

20 Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy

Clinical canine massage with a Canine Massage Guild therapist can benefit your dog in many ways, including

# 1

Improves joint functionality, health and range of movement.

#2

Breaks the muscular pain cycle associated with arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia and similar conditions.

#3

Performance enhancement and injury rehab for sporting dogs.

#4

Improvements across the
5 Principles of Pain.

#5

Relieves pain, soreness and stiffness.

#6

Restores post-injury muscle strength and function.

#7

Increases senior dogs’ comfort levels and mobility.

#8

Improves disposition and mood.

#9

Reduces pain-induced stress and anxiety.

#10

Increases vitality and energy.

#11

Reduces inflammation.

#12

Addresses muscular overcompensation.

#13

Improves sleep patterns and rest.

#14

Addresses back, neck, shoulder and hip issues.

#15

Prehab – treatment before surgery to assess current muscular/myofascial stress.

#16

Rehab – as part of your dog’s recovery and pain management programme after surgery such as TPLO or IVDD.

#17

Useful muscular evaluation for your puppy or young dog.

#18

Improves touch awareness and acceptance for petting, grooming or vet visits.

#19

Works either as a standalone therapy or alongside others like hydro and acupuncture as part of pain management programmes.

#20

Improves proprioception, stability and strength by addressing fascial dysfunction.

Clinical Canine Massage Therapy has been amazing. Recommended by a friend, it’s been the best thing we did for our agility dog to keep her in good shape to both pre- and post-competition. Clinical Canine Massage Therapy has definitely contributed to my girl doing so well at Crufts this year. Highly recommended.” #agility #crufts

Agility, Crufts, canine massage Kath Jones
Agility, Crufts, canine massage

Clinical Canine Massage Therapy has helped Logan, our 2-year- old Great Dane immensely since he had his leg amputated. He always has a new lease of life after his massages and moves more freely. #tripaw #greatdane

Logan, Great Dane, Tripaw Hannah Richards, Cornwall
Logan, Great Dane, Tripaw

Reuben the leonbergerI highly recommend Clinical Canine Massage. Reuben, my 6-year-old Leonberger, had a cruciate ligament repair and suffered the loss of his life-long companion. After the first Clinical Canine Massage treatment his mood lifted significantly and since he has been happier and more energetic both at home and on walks. #cruciateligamentsurgery #grief #happydog #leonberger

Reuben, Leonberger, Cruciate Ligament 
Reuben, Leonberger, Cruciate Ligament

Our Guild therapist was great with my 12-year-old dog, Tango. Her relaxed approach helped us both feel comfortable and she let me know what the areas of concern were for him, how she could help and the benefits of treatment. I plan for her to see my other flyball dogs so we can ensure they are in the best condition for competitions. #flyball #olderdog

Tango, Flyball, Sporting Dog, Older Dog Emma Picknett
Tango, Flyball, Sporting Dog, Older Dog

Our Guild therapist was fantastic with my old girl who thoroughly enjoyed a massage. She was so relaxed and at ease. I learnt loads and Lola seems a lot less tense and stiff. #olderdog #stiffness

Lola, Older Dog, Stiffness, Anxiety Emma Moule
Lola, Older Dog, Stiffness, Anxiety

Harris is an ex-racer who retired due to a broken hock. Clinical Canine Massage has made a huge difference to him and helped him avoid painkillers. He is now 12-years-old and has regular maintenance sessions to keep him mobile. #brokenhock #greyhound

Harris, Greyhound, Fracture Joanne Spence
Harris, Greyhound, Fracture

My 6 year old Norwegian Elkhound had not been able to sit straight for months. He started to sit lopsided. After one session of Clinical Canine Massage there was visible improvement. By the third session he was sitting straight again. This was about a year ago and I am delighted to say he has not experienced the problem again. I highly recommend that anyone take their dog to see a Guild Therapist. #elkhound #muscularinjury

Elkhound, Muscular Injury Christine, Suffolk
Elkhound, Muscular Injury

My 18-year-old Miniature Schnauzer suffers from arthritis. Hector’s tummy can’t tolerate pain medication, so we are really thankful that we came across Clinical Canine Massage! He loves the treatment and afterwards it’s much easier for him to get up after lying down. He relies on his monthly Clinical Canine Massage to keep him comfortable. It’s a must for any old dog who needs a new lease of life! #schnauzer #olderdog #arthritis

Hector, Miniature Schnauzer, Older Dog, Arthritis Andrew Rogers and Hector
Hector, Miniature Schnauzer, Older Dog, Arthritis

My 3-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier had developed a limp from overcompensating after an injury. After just a few sessions of Clinical Canine Massage his whole body has loosened up, he’s happier and limp free. #postinjury #staffie

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Limping, Overcompensation Sarah, Suffolk
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Limping, Overcompensation

Clinical Canine Massage has added years to our dog’s agility career. He’s even been to Crufts – which he wouldn’t have managed without our Guild therapist’s help. #agilitydog

Agility, Crufts 
Agility, Crufts

Clinical Canine Massage - discover the difference it can make to your dog!

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