The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.

Health Hound: Massage as Medicine

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Poor Charlie - an 8 year old dachshund living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His two-legged companion, Douglas Jordan, was sceptical when a vet suggested that massage might help Charlie’s back pain and arthritis and might even help him walk again.

But Douglas was willing to try anything that might help, so Charlie began a regimen of therapy once reserved for people. His massage therapist, Bonny, said the dachshund’s hind legs were atrophied and he was depressed and in pain when she first saw him, which was five months after surgery for a protruding disk.

Animal wellness is a burgeoning market. Over 60% of American households keep domestic company with four-leggeds and industry sales are estimated to reach $34 billion US dollars this year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

Donnelly treated Charlie for almost a year with massage, stretching exercises and Reiki, a non-manipulative form of touch and energy therapy. After months of massage, exercise and swimming, Charlie started to improve. He was starting to walk a little instead of dragging himself across the floor. Charlie’s still not 100%, but he is much more mobile than he used to be - not to mention much happier.

A growing number of two-leggeds who keep company with four-leggeds are turning to holistic and alternative therapies like acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage to keep their furry friends healthy, living longer, mobile or to relieve chronic pain.

At the forefront are the growing numbers of massage therapists, who must be trained and licensed to work on people, but who are turning their attention to the unregulated arena of animal massage.

Hope LaMonica, who runs Dog Massage by Hope in Hollywood, Fla., meets with clients and canines from Delray Beach to South Beach, sometimes as many as 10 dogs a week. She says that “More people are starting to understand the benefits.” She received pet-massage training through a one-week course at the International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork.

By law, only a veterinarian can perform certain practices, such as acupuncture. But there is no licensing or regulation over who provides massage to animals. And that has veterinarians worried.

When done correctly, massage on animals can aid in relaxation and flexibility, relieve muscle pain and stiffness, and improve the body’s circulation and digestive systems, similar to the benefits in people. But pet owners should consult a veterinarian before starting massage or other alternative treatments.

“Massage therapy and energy healing and other alternative modalities are not a substitute for veterinary medicine,” says Donnelly, a licensed massage therapist who completed a two-week training course in animal massage. A former veterinary technician, Donnelly now teaches classes in pet massage. “I work in tandem with the veterinary community. I believe there’s a place for both.”

If not done properly, massage can cause pain or a delay in medical treatment. “Where does the line between veterinary medicine and alternative therapies begin and end?” asks Donald Schaefer, executive director of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association — an institute which favours state regulation and educational requirements for animal-treatment providers. “Where is the line between helping the animal and exploiting the animal? We can’t be made naive about this. There is money here to be made. . . . The responsible pet owner has a veterinarian in the loop.”

LaMonica says she will not work on a dog with a medical condition without the approval of a veterinarian. “The vet is the first line of care. I’m there as an added benefit,” says LaMonica, who is worried about pet groomers offering to do massage. “I can’t groom my own dog. You wouldn’t go to a plastic surgeon to have your teeth cleaned. If you’re not trained, you can definitely hurt the animal.”

“I think (pet-massage therapists) should move toward a certification,” Donnelly says. “We need to be trained. I believe that’s not too far in the future.”

Superwoof to therapeutic massage! If only we could have a little bit of it on a regular basis! Just to keep us in shape!

And knock on wood and all things holy that I never really need it for spinal or any other type of injury!

Awoof! Archie

Posted 07 Aug 08