Elderly dogs suffer from aches and pains associated with ageing. Just like humans their joints will be creaky and stiff, their muscles will be weaker and fatigue more quickly, their hearing, eyesight and other bodily systems will deteriorate. Canine remedial massage is a great addition to your dog's health and wellness regime to assist their musculoskeletal health in particular and support their bodies during the ageing process.

Remedial massage will help your dog's ageing body in several ways by acting upon some of the major systems of the body:

• Massage increases blood flow to the muscles, joints and connective tissues, transporting essential nutrients required for joint and muscle health and performance.
• The lymphatic system is stimulated during a massage which helps to filter nasties out of the body and transport infection fighting white blood cells to improve your dog's immunity.
• Massage reduces stress hormones and anxiety and increases the production of calming happy hormones to improve mood.
• Canine remedial massage may also indirectly positively effect the integumentary system and enhance the condition of the skin and coat through increased blood flow and gentle stimulation and the digestive system by calming the nervous system and facilitating blood flow.

The effects of canine remedial massage

When canine massage techniques are performed on your dog the aim is to improve their overall quality of life. The sessions are designed to be enjoyable, relaxing and calming and some of the effects of the massage may be immediate. Gently manipulating the muscles may have the effect of being sleep inducing as the nervous system is soothed, or even stimulating, as the increase in blood flow leaves your dog feeling energised. Other effects may show more in the following 24 to 48 hours after a massage.

How will your dog feel after a canine remedial massage?

In the days following a canine remedial massage, muscle soreness and tightness present in elderly dogs will have reduced, improving joint range and making moving around more easy. Remedial massage for older dogs makes the simple routine tasks of rising from their bed or squatting to take a poo a little less difficult. Your old pal might also be a little more keen to join you on a walk. Old dogs can have behavioural changes too. Often put down to just being old and cranky these problems can arise from being in pain. When massage treatments are performed regularly there will hopefully be a change in their mood too.

Providing regular remedial massage sessions for your dog will extend their life and make their senior years more comfortable. To make an enquiry or a booking you can visit the contact page.