Speed At Which to Massage Your Canine Friend or Client

Speed

Fast is always more stimulating, and slow is always more relaxing, yet both are influenced by pressure.  It is wise to usually begin with slow strokes. Practice using the following suggestions:

1)      Relax yourself first and always. If you are not relaxed and calm your client will not be receptive! Think of this EVERYTIME you ready for a Pet Massage or Acupressure Therapy. You might try taking in a few breathes (breathe in for 5-10 seconds, hold it for 1 and breathe out at the same pace). Do this several times in preparation.

2)      Perform a nose to tails end FLITS using less than 1 pound pressure. On the second stroke increase pressure. On the third stroke increase pressure. On a small dog (less than 40 pounds) count 3 seconds. On a larger dog count 4 seconds. Does this seem unnaturally slow? It should. Here is an analogy:

Many people visit Alaska and drive the highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks (400 miles). As they cross this amazing land of beauty, they often comment on how the mountains were so awesome yet how they did not see any bears or moose. The same people could stop at a mountain lake and spend the evening in one spot and likely see more than if they travelled 400 miles! The point is this: Take time to feel and “see” where you are. Close your eyes and feel temperature changes, texture changes or perhaps locate parasites or skin abnormalities. Be aware of tenderness. Slow is good.

3)      Increase speed to two seconds. Feel the difference in just one second? Practice different strokes and different speeds and pressure amounts. The more you feel and practice, the more natural it will be to use Intentional Touch Massage.

4)      Using ITM gives you the option of short and lengthy routines. Because you will often be using many therapies, you always have the option when necessary to limiting a massage to 5 minutes. For example, you may exercise a dog and then after a cool down time, you might perform a 5 minute routine of FLITS and foreleg and rear leg CCITS. In human massage, the idea (whether we admit it or not) is to enjoy a long relaxing massage. In the dog world, any massage may feel good, but the intent is to support a body system and this may mean long, short, light, heavy etc. Length of time does not dictate the effective of a routine. A massage may however take 30-45 minutes. You will be the judge of what is indicated in each scenario. There may also be times when all you do is perform a massage or it may be what a client wants for their pet. In some cases a dog may only be receptive for 5 minutes. As you learn other therapies, you may be using Flower Essence Therapy during a Spectra-Tonal Color Therapy accompanied by a Massage and Acupressure routine.