The Benefits of Massage For Animals

Animal massage can benefit all animals from companion pets such as cats and dogs to horses and livestock and even zoo animals. The benefits of massage for animals mirror those for people, including decreased stress and improved circulation.

For many, pet massage sounds like a luxury for pampered pets only. However, many canines receive massage to help recover from surgery or injury and athletes such as racehorses or agility dogs receive sport massage to improve performance. Service dogs and dogs used in police or military service have high stress jobs where massage can mean the difference between early retirement and more time on the job.

Many studies have been conducted to verify the benefits of massage. For instance, massage has been proven to lower blood pressure, increase appetite and reduce the perceived pain and discomfort of arthritis.

For those with aging dogs and cats, animal massage therapy provides one more tool in the management of age-related conditions and helps to improve the quality of their pet's life. Pet health care has moved beyond the age of grocery-store dog food and once-a-year vaccinations. Today, pet health supplies include vitamins, specialty food and treats, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic and, yes, pet massage therapy.

The focus of animal massage for many years was horses, particularly racing and show horses. The benefit of massage for horses is well recognized among horse owners. Massage certification has been offered in equine massage therapy for years, but only recently has the focused turned toward pet massage certification. With literally billions of dollars flowing into the pet care industry and pets living longer and more active lives, pet massage therapy is now being offered at veterinarian clinics, grooming salons and doggie daycare establishments all over the country.

One of the benefits of massage for animals mentioned was improved circulation. Better circulation can contribute to improved digestion and better metabolism, a tremendous benefit for the large number of pets suffering from obesity and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, improved circulation can slow the degenerative process of arthritis and improve energy levels in geriatric pets. Better circulation means better immune function, helping to reduce the risk of infection or illness and assisting in the rapid recovery from injury or illness. Better blood flow also contributes to improve healing post-surgically.

Two of the most common conditions plaguing our dog population today are hip dysplasia and soft tissue injuries to the knee such as ACL tears (ruptures or strains of the anterior cruciate ligament in the stifle joint). Both are generally corrected by surgery and, particularly in the case of ACL tears, have a high rate of reoccurrence and post-surgical development of arthritis. Pet massage therapy can play a crucial role in optimal and rapid recovery from such surgeries and may play a role in reducing the risk of re-injury. Post-surgical confinement also causes boredom and restlessness for many animals and diminished the health of the immune system which is dependent on activity for optimal health. Animal massage can be used to reduce boredom, decrease stress and increase relaxation for dogs and cats during periods of confinement.

Equine massage therapy has a long history in the United States and abroad. For racehorses, massage can mean reduced recovery time between races and reduced incidence of injury due to improved flexibility of soft tissues. For investors, time off for recovery or lay-up due to injury is expensive and can reduce the career of a horse dramatically. In this case, the benefits of massage for animals is not only physical and psychological, it is also economical.

Even exotic species and wild animals have experienced benefits from animal massage therapy under the skilled hands of specialized animal massage therapists. The benefits of massage for animals in a zoological park fall under three categories: training, enrichment and health. Veterinarian staff can use massage to minimize the time that an exotic species spends in the hospital following surgery or illness, a critical element in the success of the animal's return to the wild or onto exhibit. Specific massage techniques can be used to improve the production and movement of lymphatic fluid and assist in metabolism of anesthesia and related medications.

Animal trainers can use certain massage techniques as reinforcement for performed behaviors when food rewards are not safe or effective. Massage can improve nerve function and brain function as well, making training easier. Enrichment involves providing activities to captive animals that stimulate them physically and psychologically and improve their quality of life. Studies indicate that enrichment programs in zoological parks may contribute to the longevity of individual animals and may reduce safety concerns with animals that may become aggressive due to stress or boredom. Massage can be a valuable tool in enrichment programs for many species.

In closing, the benefits of massage for animals are as numerous and varied as those for people. In the last decade more and more people have added massage to their own health care regimen and seen tremendous benefit. Many of these same people have seen the power of massage add quality and time to the lives of their adored pets. Considering all that animals contribute to our lives through companionship, sport and service; a massage now and then serves as a powerful sign of gratitude.

Lola Michelin, owner of the Northwest School of Animal Massage, has been a force in the field of animal massage for over 20 years. She has provided massage for a wide range of species including giraffe and primates, horses, dogs and even the occasional human! She studied pre-veterinary medicine and genetics at Michigan State University and worked in zoological parks and the biotech industry before dedicating her career to massaging animals. She serves as the Official Guide to Pets on Selfgrowth.com. For more information, visit www.nwsam.com or call toll-free 877.836.3703.

History of Massage Therapy & the Benefits of it

Massage has been an important part of medicine for over five

thousand years. It is also a major topic in the first medical

texts printed. The first medical texts were used by early

physicians who were primarily men. These men commonly practiced

the art of massage therapy when treating and caring for their

patients. I only mention this because I have spoke to many

people who find it surprising in today's world, that there are

men who are professional Massage Therapists. Today Massage

therapy is primarily a career chosen by women. Whether your

therapist is male or female should not be of importance, unless

you have a specific reason that makes you uncomfortable getting

a massage from a female or male therapist. What is important is

that your therapist is licensed or certified in the type of

massage that will help you most.

The massage therapy profession has been severely abused by

prostitutes that use massage therapy as a cover up for illegal

sexual activities. The places where they work are often referred

to as "Massage Parlors". That is why massage licensing and many

city ordinances were put into effect. Professional licensing

requires people who want to pursue a career as a massage

therapist to get a specified number training hours from a school

or college of massage. Most states also require that these

students pass a national certification exam that shows that that

person has the ability to identify specific pathologies and has

a good understanding of the human anatomy. This helps to make it

more difficult for illegal parlors to exist and helps to protect

you as a consumer. In recent history the profession has been

abused and still is in some places. If you are interested in

getting a professional, non-sexual massage you should not only

ask if that person is licensed or certified, but also be sure to

ask if they have had any specific training in the area you are

wanting massage for.

Hippocrates, who is considered "The Father of Medicine" was

highly respected in his findings. He is probably the most

respected man in medical history. That is why he is known as

"The Father of Medicine". I have read many historical books that

stated that Hippocrates said, "The physician must be acquainted

with many things and assuredly with rubbing" (Massage Therapy).

Hippocrates had an oath for Medical Doctors to take. I

personally feel that this oath is ignored often when it comes to

the use of Massage Therapy and other fine sources of alternative

health. One version of the Hippocratic oath is printed below if

you are interested in reading it. The first few lines of the

oath seem to be conveniently avoided or forgotten by many of

todays Physicians. I have asked many of my clients if their

physician has ever recommended they get a massage without being

asked about it specifically. Very few of them have ever told me

yes. I have had a few clients that asked their physician

specifically about the benefits of getting a massage in order to

help them with their specific condition or problem. My

experiennce has been that less than half of these people report

that they were ever told by their Physician to pursue treatment

by a Professional Massage Therapist. On the other side of the

argument, I have several Physicians and Nurses that are clients

of mine and they have told me that they often refer patients to

get Massages. Most of these Physicians and Nurses have told me

they feel the reason that their patients do not always pursue

their recommendation is because massage is seldom covered by

medical insurance. Over the past years there have been many

studies providing an abundance of proof that certain kinds of

massage therapy are very effective for treating many conditions

when used as either a primary or secondary type of care. Many

insurance companies have put an end to paying for massage

therapy because of a few massage therapists that have billed the

insurance companies for massages that were not considered the

appropriate type of massage for that patient or clients

particular condition. Insurance companies expect hard evidence

from clinical studies that have shown that a particular massage

modality or technique has helped with a specific condition,

before they want to reimburse anyone for it. I can't say that I

blame them for that because I would not want to pay for gasoline

if I was given a tank of water. Giving someone a simple

relaxation massage or Reiki treatment may be helpful, but isn't

necessarily the best type of massage treatment for someone with

a specific condition such as low back pain, frozen shoulder,

carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, lymph drainage, migraines, sciatica

and many other conditions. Whereas a professional Massage

Therapist with proper training in one or more of these areas

would be much more effective in treating a specific condition

that they have been trained for.

Most of todays society has been conditioned to believe that

drugs are the fastest and best way to get better. Our society

today wants and expects a drug or procedure that can be

prescribed and can quickly cure whatever is bothering them. I am

not against the use of medical drugs or Physicians. In fact I

highly recommend that you find a Physician who is knowledgeable

about the use of certain drugs and when it is appropriate to use

them. Find a Physician that will take the time to really listen

to you and explain what is wrong, what drugs or other treatment

or procedures you may need, and why it will be of benefit to

you. I say this because I have had several clients that have

come to see me about muscular pain that they have been having.

Muscular pain that they have often seen more than one Physician

or other professional about. These clients tell me that they

still have no idea what is wrong with them or why they have the

pain. Many of them come to see me as a last resort, because they

have exhausted all of their other options. I often ask what they

were told or how they were treated for the pain that they are

having. I often hear them reply that they were given a

prescription for some type of pain reliever and told to rest.

Most of these pain relievers will either help to relax the

muscles because of the effect on the central nervous system or

help to reduce inflammation. These pain relievers often help to

reduce pain and that is about it. What I have found with these

clients is that they have been taking pain relievers for a long

time and have tried many different therapies, rest, heat, cold,

traction, ultra sound, etc... without any lasting results. Many

of those treatments can be helpful for many people but do not

always solve the problem. Massage doesn't always solve the

problem either, but it has been my personal experience that many

of my clients have told me that it did do the trick for them and

that they are very thankful that they gave massage a try.

Sometimes, regardless of all they have tried, the pain continues

because the injury may have an excess of painful scar tissue or

keeps getting re-injured because of their daily activities. It

can even be because of swelling or tension in the muscle that

has caused a lack of blood flow to the area that causes it to

become ischemic (lack of blood flow). Blood flow is needed to

carry the cells that help to heal an area. Without good blood

flow it is unlikely to heal properly. Ischemic tissue may

collect toxins from the slow moving blood around it. Many of

those toxins cause trigger points to develop and cause pain in

the muscle.

So what can a professional Massage Therapist do that is

different for this type of muscular pain? The proper massage

given by a professional with knowledge of how to treat your

specific type of muscular pain may use friction and compression

to help reduce the amount of scar tissue in that area. Scar

tissue is not very flexible, but with massage it can be made to

be more flexible, thus reducing the amount of pain you may have

in that area. A good Massage therapist will be able to tell you

what muscle or muscles are likely to be causing your pain. They

should also be able to tell you what actions or movements these

muscles are responsible for making. This is important to know if

you need to rest the area, so that you do not re-injur it by

doing the same activities or movements that may have caused the

pain or aggravated an old injury. Massage will also help to

increase the blood flow in the affected area, allowing your own

blood to circulate better in the area of injury. This increase

in blood flow will carry cells that your body already uses to

heal injuries. These cells can then get to work on helping you

heal faster. The increase in blood flow will also help to carry

away any toxins from the affected area and help your body to

naturally dispose of them. In almost every case massage will

result in more flexibility, less formation of scar tissue, and

also help the area to heal properly.

So you see, pain relievers more often help to relieve the

symptoms and do not always treat the cause. Very few medical

drugs made will help your body to heal. They mostly cover up the

symptoms you are having. Although I have been told there are a

handful of drugs today that are used for specific conditions,

and I'm told that they can help the body to heal. Mostly they

are newer drugs and not commonly prescribed for everyday

conditions due to the expense and newness of them. Maybe in the

future we will have more medicines that will help the body heal

and can also be used on everyday conditions. But for now I

suggest that you have both a good Physician and a good Licensed

or Certified Massage Therapist on your side. Both that are

willing to work together to help you recover from whatever

conditions you may have. Your Massage Therapist as well as your

Physician should be willing to let you know if you have a

condition that requires someone else's expertise or a

combination of therapies and treatment. Massage is not always

appropriate for all conditions and Massage Therapists do not

diagnose or treat disease. Massage Therapists do not heal you

because they simply use their skills to help facilitate your own

bodies ability to heal itself. Massage therapists are not

Doctors, but a good Licensed or Certified Massage Therapist will

have the training and skills to know when it may be necessary to

refer you to see someone else.

Article by Dwayne Crandall, LMT Visit [http://www.massagevillage.com] for more original content like this. Reprinting this article is permitted with this footer included.

Massage Tools Gives Soothing, Relaxing Benefits - Right At Home

Now you can enjoy great spa-like benefits of massage tools all from the comfort of your home. Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years all over the world. Health improving and stress reducing benefits of massage therapy are many.

Scientific studies and research on massage therapy continues to prove massage temporarily increases circulation and oxygenation, frees lactic acid and toxins from the cells, soothes and warms muscles and soft tissues, relieves physical and emotional stress, and helps in injury recovery. With so many benefits, massage tools are a great way to promote and improve health.

If you've ever been to a massage therapy professional, you know how wonderful you feel after a massage. Daily tension and stress can be removed in just minutes with a good massage. Back pain, stiff joints, and neck pain all are all soothed by a good massage.

Going to a spa or a massage therapist regulars is not possible for most of us. Daily commitments and hectic schedules just don't allow the luxury of daily massage. You can now bring it all home and enjoy the benefits of massage whenever you please.

Advances in technology, and design now gives you the chance to get professional massage results right from the comfort of your home. From a full body massage to a more specific hand held massager, you can now get all the benefits of professional quality massage tools at home.

Improvements in technology now give you the ability to have massage tools to give you the massage you want. Shiatsu, compressions, kneading, rolling, and tapping massages are all available. Soothe away back pain, relieve tired aching feet, or get relief from your sore stiff neck...all right from home.

Massage chairs, neck massagers, foot massagers, and hand held massagers are all available for home use. The good news is that you can get high performance professional results from these great massage tools.

Don't hesitate to investigate the world of home massage tools. Reduce tension, relieve stress, and rejuvenate your body all within minutes with these professional massage tools

Specialty retail stores are a good place to shop for massage equipment. You'll find total body massage chairs with a variety of types of massage, neck massagers, foot massagers and hand held massagers all designed to give you luxurious massages at home. No longer do you have to dream about getting a great relaxing massage...just go home and turn on your massager.

[http://www.brookstone.com/store/category.asp?wid=17&cid=1702] Janet Smith, Freelance Copywriter

Your Direct Mail & Online Copywriting & Consulting Solution

janet@writersforyou.com.tld