What Is Clinical Canine Massage?

A non-invasive, hands-on therapy designed to assess, treat, and rehabilitate muscular issues in dogs.

Clinical Canine Massage

Dogs can benefit from massage in much the same way as their owners. It is highly effective at relieving muscular discomfort and addressing soft tissue injuries which, if left untreated, can develop into more complex and difficult-to-manage problems. Over time, these issues may cause a dog to appear to age prematurely and can significantly impact their comfort and overall quality of life.

Clinical canine massage can help maintain and improve mobility, posture, and general wellbeing. It may be particularly beneficial for dogs with orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, soft tissue injuries including sprains and strains, and certain neurological conditions such as intervertebral disc disease.

Clinical Canine Massage may help your dog if you see any of the following signs:

  • Lameness/Limping
  • Stiffness
  • Difficulty going up/down stairs
  • Quicker recovery from operations/injury eg: Cruciate
  • Signs of Ageing
  • Back/Neck/Shoulder Pain
  • Performance Issues eg: Agility, knocking poles, Obedience; send away
  • Arthritis, Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
  • Reluctant on walks
  • Disinterested in life
  • Twitching down back
  • Old before their time
  • Gait/Posture Irregularities eg: roaching/swayback
  • Nervous/Anxious/Touch Shy
  • Quivering of the skin
  • Nibbling at back end
  • Crying/Yelping in pain

As a Canine Massage Guild therapist, I use a blend of advanced massage disciplines, including:

  • Myofascial Release including The Lenton Method®
  • Sports Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage
  • Swedish Massage

These techniques help to:

  • Release tight muscles and fascia
  • Reduce trigger points and spasms
  • Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
  • Restore normal posture and gait
  • Support natural healing

Clinical canine massage may be used to:

  • Rehabilitate muscular injuries
  • Support arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia and other orthopaedic conditions
  • Improve stiffness, limping, and reduced mobility
  • Aid in the rehabilitation of surgeries such as TPLO (cruciate ligament repair)
  • Support senior dogs who are slowing down
  • Enhance performance in sporting and agility dogs
  • Aid dogs unable to tolerate NSAIDs
  • Support anxious dogs by relieving physical discomfort

Many dogs show noticeable improvement within one to three sessions. Typical outcomes include:

  • Improved mobility and activity levels
  • Reduction or resolution of lameness and stiffness
  • Improved posture and gait
  • A fully rehabilitated muscular injury
  • Greater comfort with stairs, walks, and daily activities
  • Improved mood and behaviour
  • A happier, more relaxed dog

Dogs are very good at hiding pain, and you may not know your dog is in pain until it has become too much for them to conceal any longer.

The Canine Massage Guild have put together a useful chart, 'The 5 principles of pain', to help owners assess for sub-clinical signs of pain, meaning pain and discomfort may be addressed sooner.

The chart can be downloaded here on The Canine Massage Guild page.

Clinical trials conducted by the University of Winchester into the efficacy of canine massage therapy, specifically The Lenton Method®, found that in a study of 527 dogs, 95% showed a positive response to treatment. Read the report here.