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.

How Much Pressure To Use In Canine Massage

Pressure

The amount of pressure used in a stroke can vary greatly. You must practice these strokes to become proficient at controlling pressure. A FLIT should be a balanced stroke with the same pressure used from beginning to end. A good way to practice is with a scale. If you have access to a food scale then use it however, a bathroom scale that measures in 2lb dashes will also work.

1)      Feel how much pressure it takes to move the scale less than one dash or less than 2lbs.

2)      Feel the amount of pressure required to move the scale 5, 10, 15 pounds.

3)      Rub your first two fingers over the scale evenly at each of the above mentioned pressure amounts. (At 5 pounds or more you may switch to an open hand or palm).

4)      Do this again without moving the needle at all. (This is usually ½ lb pressure or less).

5)      Now glide your fingers down your own arm and imagine a pressure of the weight of a quarter.

6)      Become well aware of these different levels of pressure and keep in mind that a dog can feel the weight of a fly on its back or head!

It is wise to support the back (place a hand under the dog) when applying heavy pressure to the dogs topside. For a toy poodle this may be when applying ½ -1 lb pressure, or 10 lbs on a Golden Retriever. Imagine it is you that is under the weight, and use judgment. Another rule of thumb is to support the back when applying more than 1 pound of pressure for every 10 pounds of the dogs’ weight. In the case of older dogs or ill dogs, use judgment and gentleness. Always be silently communicating with the dog in order to immediately recognize signs of discomfort.

Do not use pressure of more than 2 pounds (much less in small breeds) in sensitive areas such as over the eyes, the side of the head (temple region). Do not apply pressure to individual vertebra (with the exception of stroking over the vertebra when using FLITS or SLITS.  You’ll learn more about this when we address acupressure.

Muscles in the body are usually deep layers (under other muscles) or superficial layers (closest to the skin). We will not study the depth of a particular muscle however, you should know that deep layers are stimulated with more pressure and superficial layers are stimulated with less pressure.

So then, keep in mind that lighter stokes will not stimulate deep muscle layers as much as it will superficial layers of muscle. When treating muscles, a variety of pressure amounts should be used.

There are other massage techniques that will be discussed in continuing education after your Level 1 Certification if desired. What you will learn here is completely sufficient to perform Pet Massage and Acupressure with integrity and skill. The greatest gift you can give yourself and your client is to practice strokes, pressure and speed on as many animals as possible. Remember: Gentleness is a virtue and an art. In a world where violence and dominating control seem to be all too prevalent. You will never error when being gentle… and gentle is always effective. However, there are many cases where deep muscle layers will need heavy pressure. Use wisdom and experience in every situation.