Changing the Life of Dogs One Massage at a Time

BY NATALIE LENTON & GINA SANKI

Recently, the world’s first clinical trials into canine massage therapy were performed by Winchester University, an interdisciplinary centre that undertakes research, teaching and public engagement in the field of animal welfare. With the results published in the peer reviewed journal ‘Vet Record’ by the British Veterinary Association, it clearly demonstrates how complementary therapies, both for humans and our animals, are finally becoming more visible and are in demand now more than ever. As many of our readers will appreciate, the more evidence based research out there on massage the better for our industry as a whole, and these ground breaking clinical trials asked the question “ Can canine massage demonstrate a scientifically proven effect on reduction of pain and improvement in quality of life?”. No doubt this is a question you’ll be asked when it comes to results in your human practice, so what happens when massage is applied to dogs? What are the indicators? And importantly what outcomes and changes can be expected with our four legged friends?

Read on to find out more….

Evidence based treatment provided by Canine Massage Guild Practitioners

In June 2021, the results of a comprehensive quantitative collaborative study between the University of Winchester, the Canine Massage Guild and the Canine Massage Therapy Centre were published in the Vet Record, the official journal of the British Veterinary Association, using a cohort of 527 dogs treated by 65 Canine Massage Guild Practitioners. Results showed that there were significant reductions in reported pain severity scores for all recorded pain indicators over sequential treatments (p<0.001) and that posttreatment, dogs were significantly more likely to have a ‘positive’ quality of life (Riley et al, 2021).

Bones of the dog

Which canine patients may be suitable for clinical massage therapy?

Below is a list of some of the presentations where patients may benefit from receiving clinical canine massage (Canine Massage Guild, 2019; Formenton et al, 2017; Corti, 2014):

◆ Soft tissue or muscular injury rehabilitation

◆ Arthritis pain management

◆ Intermittent lameness

◆ Inconclusive X-Rays or MRI scans

◆ Hyperalgesia

◆ Behavioural change due to pain

◆ Gait or postural issues

◆ NSAID contraindication or intolerance

◆ Sports Medicine

◆ Luxating patella, particularly Grades I & II

◆ Subclinical signs of pain

◆ Mobility support for neurological patients

◆ Chronic pain patients

◆ Sporting dogs with subclinical performance issue(s)

◆ Fasciculations or exaggerated panniculus reflex

◆ Dogs on crate rest or conservative management programmes

◆ Unwillingness to be petted / groomed / examined

◆ Subclinical changes in activities of daily living

◆ Post-operative support e.g. TPLO

◆ Difficulty in going up / down stairs, in / out car, on /off sofa

◆ Contracture of a limb after surgery / accident

◆ To assist with weight management when there is an inability to exercise

◆ Emotional trauma / abuse cases

Contraindications for massage include (Formenton et al, 2017):

◆ Infectious skin conditions (e.g. ringworm)

◆ Shock

◆ Acute inflammation

◆ Cancer

Massage techniques

The Lenton Method® uses a three tiered approach for treatment of musculoskeletal pain in dogs as illustrated in figure 1 and was developed by Natalie Lenton of the Canine Massage Therapy Centre. The method uses “a structured and scientific method of muscular and myofascial assessment via advanced palpation skills, bodymapping by the therapist to identify precise areas of soft tissue injury and fascial problems and a set of direct myofascial release protocols that return dysfunctional muscle and fascia to mobile, supple muscle in no more than 3 sessions” (Canine Massage Guild, 2019).

Breaking down the disciplines

In order for the general public and veterinary industry to understand the approach, communications around the paper had to differentiate the different styles used by the therapists. Professional human massage therapists will appreciate just how all massage can often get lumped into one category so it’s interesting to read how, just like with humans, the variety of styles and approach will affect and also help structure the outcome the effects of treatment.

Sports Massage is not just for performance sports dogs but also is used to rehabilitate soft tissue injury and support areas of orthopaedic