What is Sports Massage Therapy?
"When you rise in the morning, form a resolution to make the day a happy one for a fellow creature." ----Sydney Smith
The use of massage therapy on animals has, of course, human origins. Somewhere along the line, some smart human decided that animals are thinking, feeling creatures made of the same bones, muscles, and nerves as we humans are. It only follows that physical therapies that help humans feel and perform better would surely help our animal companions as well.
Equine sports massage therapy has its roots on the thoroughbred racetracks. Licensed human massage therapists began experimenting with the use of different massage techniques, noting which worked better on the horses' large muscle mass. The results were astounding. After just one massage session, horses were perfoming better, putting previous losers into the winner's circle. When massage was performed on a regular basis, the trainers, veterinarians, and therapists found that the horses experienced fewer injuries and breakdowns and were able to perform better for longer periods of time. Injured horses also seemed to recover more quickly when given therapeutic massage. Before long, massage therapy was a common treatment for working thouroughbreds on the racetrack and on the training farms.
Canine massage therapy was a natural offshoot of the therapy being done on horses. Picture this: a horse owner has a massage therapist out to the barn to work on his show horse. As the therapist works, the owner's favorite dog companion comes limping through the barn, and the owner remarks that the dog is old and has arthritis in his hips. He hates to see the poor old guy in pain. Before you know it, the owner has talked the massage therapist into trying her techniques out on his dog. After all, if it helps the horses, why not try it on his dog? Can't hurt to try, right? The next day, the dog is noticeably more comfortable, and from there on out, gets his regular massage sessions, too!
Yes, it is true---horses, dogs, humans---we are all made up of the same "stuff". We are all made of the same cells and fibers, forming bones, muscles, and nerves, and those of our animal friends perform basically the same functions as those of us humans. The muscles are all formed of the same cells and fibers, and all require good blood flow to get the nutrients needed to function and to take away the waste and toxins given off by hardworking muscle fibers. Those hardworking muscle fibers get overworked and injured at times, and need help returning to normal. And that is where the massage therapist comes in.
How does Sports Massage Therapy work?
Sports massage therapy is only one of the many diffent forms of massage. It uses vigorous massage strokes designed to warm and relax the muscle so that any areas of discomfort can be located, then break up any adhesions, or knots, caused by tension or over-use of the muscle. The muscle group is then warmed and relaxed again before moving on to the next muscle group. It is a non-invasive therapy, and needs no sedation or medication beforehand, causing less stress on the animal AND his owner. During the massage session, the observer can watch the muscles reacting to the stimulation of the massage, and can see that all of this is quite a work-out for the recipient. The results of massage can be immediate or may take a few sessions to see, depending on the condition of the animal. For best results, massage should be done on a regular basis to help the body stay in peak condition and prevent injuries.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
----Theodore Roosevelt
What Massage Can Do..........and Cannot Do
- Massage can release tension, relax muscles, and decrease pain......it cannot suddenly cause the injury to disappear.
- Massage can reduce inflammation and swelling, decreasing pain......it cannot reduce tumors.
- Massage stimulates circulation, increasing the flow of nutrients to the muscles......it is not a supplement for good nutrition.
- Massage aids in the release of cellular toxins and waste, increasing healing rates......it cannot be used as a cancer treatment.
- Massage enhances muscle tone, improving strength, balance and range of motion......it is not a replacement for a good conditioning program.
- Massage maintains the whole body in better physical condition, allowing the animal to move with natural, pain-free gaits.
- Above all, massage therapy IS NOT a substitute for veterinary care. Diane will not hesitate to refer you to your veterinarian when needed.
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