MassageCB

You're going to want a quiet environment...soft music or low noise, someone else to catch the phone or take it off the hook. You do not want to stop midway through the massage, so don't plan on answering the door either. :)

Heat is good in some cases, but not all, so use common sense there. A warmed rice bag, as described by MC or even a towel heated up in the dryer works. However, as long as you move slowly and warm the muscles as you go you do not have to do that.

For a severely arthritic or injured dog, you may need to start out with performing the massage daily for the first week. Every few days may be what your dog needs. Once you've learned to read the dogs comfort level, and especially with a mildly affected dog, you may be able to go down to as little as once a week.It is a common misconception that you should focus on the injured area. Please realize that when a dog is injured, they throw all their weight to the "good" side thus causing damage to the opposing joints. Always begin on what you consider the "uninjured" side.

Okay, let's do it!(realize it can take up to 45 minutes to do one side correctly)
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Have the dog lay on it's side. Begin at the base of the neck, using one hand to warm the muscles gently. Remember that if the dog is in pain elsewhere they are more than likely feeling it in this area as well. As the muscles are warming, you begin to move deeper into them. Circular motions behind the ears, working down toward the bottom of the neck. *Pic*

Using the palm of your hand, work down the spine. Move slowly,, feeling for "heat". These hot areas, wherever you find them,indicate arthritic change and you will want to spend a little extra time on them. Palm your way down the backbone, using small circular motions and increasing the pressure (start light, work up to firmer pressure). Work all the way down to the tail this way.

Move back up to the front.Use your fingers to massage in front of the shoulder blade, moving deep underneath it...essentially rubbing into the ribs below. Use circular palm rubs in the shoulder muscles, then firm rubs straight down toward the foot. For deep massage, place the fingers of one hand (going from behind) under the shoulder blade, and with the other hand (palm) above...rub from both sides. *Pic* Occasionally go back to the neck for further massage there, especially where the neck meets the shoulder. Back to the front leg, gently at first then with more pressure *Pic* , work all the way down to the foot. Remember that sore shoulders make for sore feet *Pic* , so gently rub each toe as well. *Pic*
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Move to the chest, and with the tips of your fingers deeply massage around the breastbone.Work downward toward the underbelly.
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Back up to the back, make flat palm sweeping motions along the ribs (gently) and down toward the belly.
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Moving to the rear leg, realize that you are working with some very dense muscling here and while you start off slowly & gently, as the muscles warm you will be doing some very deep massage. *Pic* This is really a two hand area, using the palms of each hand..one above and one below, rub from both side. *Pic* For a dog with hip dysplasia, a cruciate tear, or arthritis, this can be a sensitive area so work slowly. Use your fingertips to massage the hip joint and knee.For an injured dog, these muscles can be very tired and sore, so plan on spending quite a while here.Work you way down the leg. *Pic* One the lower part of the leg, the hock, rub firmly down toward the toes, *Pic* and finish the leg with massaging each toe by rolling it between your fingertips. *Pic*
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*Always* when you finish one side, end with massaging the head. The "V" area below the jaw can become very tense, as can the cheeks, so these areas need to be addressed as well. *Pic*
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By now, your dog should be turned into jelly. Roll him or her over onto his other side, and repeat.

** Please note that with an older dog, who has never been massaged before, he may be stiff the day after the first massage. This is *normal*. After several days, you should see increased movement and a better mental attitude.

Cindy/Copper Hill Boxers