Look, I am no guru so I am not going to convince you that
I am. However I do think it can be a helpful part of dog arthritis
treatment and so I want to cover the topic. What follows is an excerpt
from a post by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt on DogChannel.com. Jean-Pierre knows what he is talking about and has some published some books on the topic. Here is what he has to say.
Common
in senior dogs, arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can
cause pain and soreness in the hips, lower spine, hock, and knees, and
to a lesser degree the shoulder and elbow. Spending a few minutes
massaging your dog’s aching muscles can help relieve some of the pain of
arthritis, and provide an opportunity to bond with your senior pal.
Massage won't cure arthritis, but regular applications can contribute
to slowing down the degenerative process of the condition. Massaging
your dog also can help relieve some of the pain caused by arthritis and
reduce the muscle tension caused by the condition.
Your massage session should last 10 to 15 minutes, but may be longer
if your dog is a large breed. It’s better to repeat several massage
sessions and see consistent, progressive results than risk overworking a
body part and flaring up the inflammatory process often present with
arthritis. If your dog is uncomfortable being handled or has trouble
staying still for long periods of time, start with shorter sessions and
gradually increase the duration.
Early morning and evening are the most beneficial times to massage an
arthritic dog. A morning massage will help ease the stiffness and
soreness from the night’s inactivity. The evening session will relieve
muscle tension and soreness resulting from the day's activities.
A veterinarian or someone trained in animal massage can help you
develop a routine for your dog massage sessions, but you can perform
simple exercises on your dog at home. Start by lightly stroking the area
you are about to massage. Follow with several effleurages – light
strokes with very little pressure – to get the circulation going.
Next,
use a very light kneading motion over the tight muscles, as well as
some very light hand friction to loosen the muscle fibers and stimulate
deeper circulation. Intersperse with effleurages regularly – about
every 10 seconds – to assist drainage. Do not work directly over the
joints afflicted with arthritis, but rather, around them to stimulate
circulation.
Consider doing gentle stretching exercises either during or at the
end of your massage sessions to maximize the flexibility of the tissue
and joints you are working on. When done, gently stroke your dog’s
entire body to help her relax. If you notice your dog’s joints appear
inflamed after a massage, wrap a cold wet towel around the affected area
to soothe and lower the inflammation. If inflammation persists,
consult your veterinarian.
Exercise in moderation is excellent for any arthritic
condition. Follow your morning massage session with mild exercise such
as a short walk, but avoid a strenuous workout.
Although arthritis is incurable, applying simple massage techniques
can help ease your dog’s aches, and she’ll benefit from the extra time
spent with you!