Maintenance Massage
The primary goal of Maintenance Massage is to decrease muscular tension and improve your dog’s quality of life.
The Physical Benefits are: decreased recovery time between workouts (removal of metabolic waste products); decreased post-workout discomfort (releasing natural occurring endorphins); decreased chance of overuse / stress related injuries (lengthening muscle fibres); stimulation of lymphatic system (improved immune function); and prevention of chronic conditions (regular monitoring and early detection).
Typically, maintenance massage benefits any animal who has a regular routine / activity level or an increased amount or the difficulty of it's work (performance) or is debilitated in any way (needing rehabilitation).
Examples include: Companion animals, Healthy athletic animals, Geriatric pets, and Working animals (scent dogs, police dogs, assistance dogs) in the normal course of duty.
Maintenance Massage is typically a scheduled programme designed for an individual’s needs and budgets. Maintenance massage is the most common and most valuable. Two to four times a month might be a good starting point. I would encourage an owner/guardian to provide some level of massage daily.
Physiological Benefits
Circulatory System: Encourages development of stronger cardiac muscle; Improves oxygen supply to the cells; Decreases blood pressure; Improves elimination of metabolic waste.
Digestive System: Relaxes the intestinal muscles; Stimulates peristalsis; Improves blood flow to the alimentary (digestive) tract; Stimulates liver and kidney function; Improves appetite.
Muscular System: Relaxes / stimulates muscles to relieve soreness, tension, stiffness, weakness; Mobilizes soft tissues; Improves joint flexibility; Improves elimination of metabolic waste.
Nervous System: Relieves pain; Stimulates motor nerves; Relieves restlessness and sleep disturbances; Improves proprioception (muscle memory.
Respiratory System: Improves respiration.
Lymphatic System: Drains stagnant lymph nodes; Stimulates movement of lymphatic fluid; Cleanses the body of metabolic waste.
Integumentary System (skin): Improves tone and elasticity of skin; Stimulates follicular oils and sebaceous glands; Improves quality of coat; Removes dead skin and loose hair.
Skeletal System: Improves alignment of skeletal structures without force.