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.

Ruby is our 3-year-old Jack Russell Terrier Cross. She had significant lameness in her hind limb but after three sessions of Clinical Canine Massage Ruby was back to her normal self. Six months on, there has been no further lameness. #jackrussellterrier #lameness

Ruby, Jack Russell Terrier Cross, Lameness Cathy, Carburton
Ruby, Jack Russell Terrier Cross, Lameness

Murphy, a 5-year-old ex-racing Greyhound, suffered a serious fractured shoulder and had plates inserted. He was permanently lame and very stiff. After regular Clinical Canine Massage, the change was astounding. The lameness disappeared and his movement was free and easy. He loved going to see his Guild Therapist for his massage, he couldn’t wait to get inside and fall asleep! #rescuegreyhound #fracture

Murphy, Greyhound, Fracture, Lameness, Stiff 
Murphy, Greyhound, Fracture, Lameness, Stiff

Our Guild therapist was so patient with my old guy Kipper with his arthritis and leg problems. What impressed me was the willing advice and knowledge: she always has time for any queries and problems that I may have. I highly recommend it.

Kipper, Arthritis, Older Dog Gill McGonigle
Kipper, Arthritis, Older Dog

Kylo, my 4-year-old boisterous black Labrador, who initially just wanted to play, relaxed and almost nodded off during his Clinical Canine Massage session. During the treatment, his trigger points were addressed. The next day he didn’t want to do much, but I was told to expect that. He is now walking ‘properly’ having lost the side-to-side swagger and his coat changes have gone. #labrador #muscularinjury

Kylo, Labrador, Muscular Injury Eileen, Speyside
Kylo, Labrador, Muscular Injury

Our 10-year-old Labradoodle, Izzie, has spondylosis, which after three Clinical Canine Massage sessions, has really improved. She has more mobility and zest for life. I wish we’d discovered Clinical Canine Massage long ago!

Izzie, Labradoodle, Spondylosis Maryanne Kraus, Marbella
Izzie, Labradoodle, Spondylosis

Meg, our 3-year-old, Cockerpoo was suffering with an issue that caused her to hop when on walks and running about. Meg is a nervous puppy, but our Guild therapist calmly and patiently won her round and within three sessions was able to relieve the issue. I would highly recommend Clinical Canine Massage.  #cockerpoo #luxatingpatella

Meg, Cockerpoo, Luxating Patella Verity, Caddington
Meg, Cockerpoo, Luxating Patella

Jack agility cockerJack is our 4-year-old Working Cocker Flat Coat Retriever cross. After competing through the agility summer season, we noticed he had a skippy hind leg when he ran. By the end of the first session of Clinical Canine Massage, he was lying with his eyes shut. He’s now massaged regularly through the season and his running has improved. #agilitydogs #CockerFlatCoatRetrieverCross

Jack, Cocker Flat Coat Retriever Cross, Agility Caroline, Churchdown
Jack, Cocker Flat Coat Retriever Cross, Agility

Canine Massage GuildZoie, our 9-year-old Working Sheepdog says, ‘Thank you for a great treatment today!’ In your safe hands she is a fully-fit K9 flyball athlete – and she is raring to go!! #Working Sheepdog #flyball

Zoie, Working Sheepdog, Flyball Terry, Uxbridge
Zoie, Working Sheepdog, Flyball

Watson, our 8-year-old black Labrador has multiple joint problems and mobility was an issue. After just two Clinical Canine Massage sessions, he slept better and you could see he was more relaxed and experiencing less pain. His mobility has also improved and he has been more playful.

Watson, Labrador, Joint Issues, Slowing Down Tina, Colchester
Watson, Labrador, Joint Issues, Slowing Down

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

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