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Galen Myotherapy, you and your dog
Galen Myotherapy, you and your dog
Galen Myotherapy is a massage therapy that improves muscle health and aids the management and rehabilitation of dogs with pain and dysfunction in the myofascial system. Therapists use palpation, postural analysis and specialised massage techniques in order to treat possible muscular issues as well as address the adaptive changes that arise as a result. It is especially powerful when used in the management of chronic cases such as those with musculoskeletal conditions, repetitive strains, past trauma or injuries.
Galen Myotherapy is a massage therapy that improves muscle health and aids the management and rehabilitation of dogs with pain and dysfunction in the myofascial system. Therapists use palpation, postural analysis and specialised massage techniques in order to treat possible muscular issues as well as address the adaptive changes that arise as a result. It is especially powerful when used in the management of chronic cases such as those with musculoskeletal conditions, repetitive strains, past trauma or injuries.
What makes Galen Myotherapy powerful
What makes Galen Myotherapy powerful
Galen Myotherapists assess each dog as an individual, taking care to observe all aspects of posture, movement and behaviour. Taking a 360 degree perspective of posture allows therapists to better understand and address both symptoms and the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction.
Galen Myotherapists assess each dog as an individual, taking care to observe all aspects of posture, movement and behaviour. Taking a 360 degree perspective of posture allows therapists to better understand and address both symptoms and the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction.
During every treatment we use an effective and ethical choice-led treatment methodology called Positive PACT®. This scientifically supported practice is unique to Galen Myotherapy and registered Galen Myotherapists. During treatments, dogs are given autonomy over their own body and control the pace and intensity of treatments. This often enables treatment in areas that would otherwise be resistant to it. But what does this look like in practice? Dogs are treated at ground level or low down and are free to come and go from the treatment area. Whilst this might seem counterintuitive, it is often because they know they are free to leave, that they feel safe to stay. Dogs are given the time and space to process their experience, and therapists carefully observe their body language for communication throughout in order to adjust their approach, turning treatments into a non-verbal conversation, with treatment outcomes ultimately being stronger for it. This makes it particularly suitable for anxious dogs, those who find new people or physical contact particularly challenging, or even those that are just protecting certain sore body parts.
During every treatment we use an effective and ethical choice-led treatment methodology called Positive PACT®. This scientifically supported practice is unique to Galen Myotherapy and registered Galen Myotherapists. During treatments, dogs are given autonomy over their own body and control the pace and intensity of treatments. This often enables treatment in areas that would otherwise be resistant to it. But what does this look like in practice? Dogs are treated at ground level or low down and are free to come and go from the treatment area. Whilst this might seem counterintuitive, it is often because they know they are free to leave, that they feel safe to stay. Dogs are given the time and space to process their experience, and therapists carefully observe their body language for communication throughout in order to adjust their approach, turning treatments into a non-verbal conversation, with treatment outcomes ultimately being stronger for it. This makes it particularly suitable for anxious dogs, those who find new people or physical contact particularly challenging, or even those that are just protecting certain sore body parts.
Galen Myotherapy was the first therapy organisation to discuss the connection between muscle pain and specific behaviour patterns. As part of the treatment process, we guide owners in understanding how their dogs behaviour may hold clues to their comfort level. Decoding these signs is often the first step to empowering owners to be able to support their dogs. We work hard as therapists to equip you with the skills you will need to better help your dog, which may also include suggestions for exercise or home adaptations, how to spot changes in your dogs posture or habits, teaching safe techniques to use at home, or doing functional biomechanics activities.
Galen Myotherapy was the first therapy organisation to discuss the connection between muscle pain and specific behaviour patterns. As part of the treatment process, we guide owners in understanding how their dogs behaviour may hold clues to their comfort level. Decoding these signs is often the first step to empowering owners to be able to support their dogs. We work hard as therapists to equip you with the skills you will need to better help your dog, which may also include suggestions for exercise or home adaptations, how to spot changes in your dogs posture or habits, teaching safe techniques to use at home, or doing functional biomechanics activities.
The benefits of massage
The benefits of massage
Massage has many benefits, including
Massage has many benefits, including
- Increased circulation, temperature and elasticity of soft tissues- facilitating tissue repair
- Reducing tension in muscles, easing stiffness, enhancing tone
- Improved range of motion in joints
- Breakdown of scar tissue
- Improved myofascial integrity
- Natural pain relief, reduced musculoskeletal pain and myofascial pain
- Improved psychological wellbeing, combating the psychological toll of chronic pain.
- Improved mobility
- Enhanced recovery times
You will often hear it said that chronic pain is best addressed using multi-modal management. Multi-modal management means using multiple interventions to help improve comfort and slow down disease progression. Think of this like a tool box. Galen Myotherapy can be a powerful tool that complements and supports veterinary care and home management.
You will often hear it said that chronic pain is best addressed using multi-modal management. Multi-modal management means using multiple interventions to help improve comfort and slow down disease progression. Think of this like a tool box. Galen Myotherapy can be a powerful tool that complements and supports veterinary care and home management.
Would my dog benefit?
Would my dog benefit?
Dogs can develop muscle tension for a variety of reasons. It could be a result of an underlying condition; repetitive strain; or injuries, old and new. Past injuries often leave their mark on the muscle fibres long after the injury itself has healed.
Dogs can develop muscle tension for a variety of reasons. It could be a result of an underlying condition; repetitive strain; or injuries, old and new. Past injuries often leave their mark on the muscle fibres long after the injury itself has healed.
Muscles shorten when there is pain and inflammation in a bid to protect the animal from discomfort. This inhibition is a vicious cycle of pain, shortening, avoidance and ultimately a cascade of adaptive change throughout the dogs wider musculoskeletal system. This can result in an altered posture and is the reason why myotherapists assess and treat the entire dog.
Muscles shorten when there is pain and inflammation in a bid to protect the animal from discomfort. This inhibition is a vicious cycle of pain, shortening, avoidance and ultimately a cascade of adaptive change throughout the dogs wider musculoskeletal system. This can result in an altered posture and is the reason why myotherapists assess and treat the entire dog.
Pain in our dogs can be difficult to spot. Whilst sudden injuries such as broken limbs or cuts may present as yelping or limping (acute pain), chronic pain is much more subtle and insidious. Dogs are the masters of "keep calm and carry on" and change happens gradually so it becomes accepted as the new normal. There are many different signs, and not every dog shows all of them, but each piece is like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle and can help us to understand what is happening.
Pain in our dogs can be difficult to spot. Whilst sudden injuries such as broken limbs or cuts may present as yelping or limping (acute pain), chronic pain is much more subtle and insidious. Dogs are the masters of "keep calm and carry on" and change happens gradually so it becomes accepted as the new normal. There are many different signs, and not every dog shows all of them, but each piece is like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle and can help us to understand what is happening.
CHANGES IN APPEARANCE
CHANGES IN APPEARANCE
- Changes in their coat- wavy areas, sticking up, cowlicks, texture change, dull coat
- Dry nose
- Stopped wagging their tail, carrying it low or close to the body
- Uneven wear to their nails
CHANGES IN POSTURE
CHANGES IN POSTURE
- Lack of symmetry- some areas appearing larger than others- collar may seem tight
- Feet close together OR quite far apart
- Lower head carriage
- Back arched or dipped
- Skin twitches when you touch them
CHANGE IN MOBILITY MOBILITY
CHANGE IN MOBILITY MOBILITY
- Reluctant to walk, may appear slow or stiff.
- May want to stop frequently/lie down on a walk OR be excited to walk but quiet/stiff afterward
- Reluctant to climb stairs or onto furniture/ unhappy about getting in and out of the car/may pause before a jumping up or down
- Clumsy, trips and stumbles, knocking into things, scuffing their feet
- May appear lame
BEHAVIOUS CHANGES
BEHAVIOUS CHANGES
Many people notice their dog behaving differently but often in the case of older dogs, it is simply put down to their age.
Many people notice their dog behaving differently but often in the case of older dogs, it is simply put down to their age.
- Quieter, less sociable, choosing to lie somewhere quiet, alone or hiding
- Restless, can't seem to settle for any period of time- particularly overnight, disturbed sleep
- May groan when lying down. Very slow moving between sitting, standing and lying down
- Acting anxious, reactive, may be guarding toys, food or the sofa- these dogs are often just dismissed as being "grumpy"
- No longer playful, rarely interact with toys anymore or want to play with you
- Tail chasing , panting or excessive licking
- Anal gland problems
Your dog may only do some of the things on this list, rather then everything. Remember, pain is unique to each dog, so we look for these little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to build a bigger picture. If in doubt, reach out!
Your dog may only do some of the things on this list, rather then everything. Remember, pain is unique to each dog, so we look for these little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to build a bigger picture. If in doubt, reach out!
You can contact me by email at laikadogmyotherapy@hotmail.com, or phone at 07511818863
You can contact me by email at laikadogmyotherapy@hotmail.com, or phone at 07511818863
Conditions
Conditions
There are many conditions that may affect the musculoskeletal health of dogs, and the list below is far from exhaustive but demonstrates some of the more common ailments that myotherapy can help with:
There are many conditions that may affect the musculoskeletal health of dogs, and the list below is far from exhaustive but demonstrates some of the more common ailments that myotherapy can help with:
- Hip/elbow dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Sub-luxating patella
- Osteochrondritis dissecans OCD
- Cruciate disease
- Spondylitis and Spondylosis
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy
- Lameness
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
This makes it suitable for keeping the elderly dog mobile, supporting a developing puppy, and to enhance the performance of sporting or working dogs.
This makes it suitable for keeping the elderly dog mobile, supporting a developing puppy, and to enhance the performance of sporting or working dogs.
It is always important to remember that prevention can be better than cure; the sooner we catch any developing issues, the better! So if you would like your dog to be assessed as a preventative measure, this is something we can accomodate.
It is always important to remember that prevention can be better than cure; the sooner we catch any developing issues, the better! So if you would like your dog to be assessed as a preventative measure, this is something we can accomodate.
Lets catch the small things before they have the chance to become something bigger.
Lets catch the small things before they have the chance to become something bigger.
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