addressing the needs of the canine athlete through trigger point massage
What is trigger point massage?
Trigger points develop at neuromuscular junctions within your dog’s skeletal muscle. They are the result of chronic muscle overload, repetitive strain, falls, and impact.
These hyper-irritable spots may cause referred pain (pain felt elsewhere in the dog’s body) and tenderness in that area, as well as motor dysfunction such as impaired flexibility and limited range of motion.
When trigger points are identified and proper compression is applied to them, those skeletal muscles relax, thus restoring your dog’s range of motion and flexibility.
High-energy sport dogs and companion dogs alike benefit from regular trigger point massage. Stretching, checking range of motion, and ensuring continued mobility are important for any dog, no matter what they do on a daily basis.
The long-term benefits of regular trigger point massage include:
Pain relief and release of muscle tension
Increased circulation, promoting removal of cellular waste
The release of endorphins, which gives an overall feeling of well-being
Muscle relaxation and loosening of muscle tissue
Improved mobility and range of motion
How to choose a canine trigger point therapist:
The field of canine therapy has many rules and regulations specific to location. A certified practitioner should be adequately trained to work safely with dogs and should have completed extensive coursework not only in canine trigger point, but also in canine anatomy, physiology, canine behavior and first aid. Certification through a recognized institution validates a practitioner’s expertise and commitment to adhering to the highest standards of care in the industry. A high level canine trigger point therapist often has more than a certification in just one field of canine health. Extensive education specific to canine anatomy, clinical hands-on experience and supervised practicum with experts in their field of specialization are important.
About Julianne Booth, CCMT/CTrPMT
Longtime professional violinist, music teacher, and dog agility enthusiast Julianne Parazo Booth, CCMT/CTrPMT, now uses her well-trained hands and fingers for trigger point canine massage. She earned her certifications at Rocky Mountain School of Acupressure and Massage (RMSAAM) in Littleton, CO, under the tutelage of renowned human/canine/equine massage therapist Ken Bain, LMT, MTI. Read more about Julianne here.
What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a small contraction knot in muscle tissue. It is found in the belly of the muscle and near its attachments. A point of irritability within the muscle or its fascia, it prevents full range of motion and is usually painful. It is usually painful when tension or pressure is applied to the shortened fibers. Releasing trigger points helps muscles regain full range of motion and increases flexibility.
Trigger points can be caused by muscle strain from sudden wrenching movements, chronic stress from muscle imbalance or overuse, falls, joint sprains or trauma to the muscle. Trigger points are either active or latent. An active trigger point aches and causes prickling pain or numbness related to nerve entrapment or throbbing vascular pain. Oftentimes, the referred pain from an active trigger point can create more dysfunction than the original trigger point.
Canine trigger point specialists use manual therapy to deactivate trigger points. Manual therapy has more specific effects on trigger points than dry needling and carries less risk to muscle attachments. The direct nature of manual deactivation as opposed to needling/injections is safer for surrounding blood vessels and nerves.
Differences between therapeutic massage and trigger point massage
Both types of massage are conducive to keeping the canine body healthy and flexible. However, they are very different both in the techniques used and in the overall scope of results.
Therapeutic massage induces relaxation through specific massage strokes help to lengthen, stretch and relax the muscles. Dogs undergoing therapeutic massage feel relaxed and muscles are lengthened and ‘loosened’ as a result of this type of massage. This type of massage relaxes the muscles in the dog’s body and helps to calm and releases tension resulting in a state of rest and relaxation.
In trigger point massage, ‘knots’ or lactic acid buildup points are located through palpation and manually deactivated without having to work entire muscle groups as in therapeutic massage. As a result, dogs often regain full range of motion and increased flexibility often resulting in immediate improvement as soon as the trigger points are released. The release of trigger points helps to reduce inflammation and restore tissue movement and muscle functionality. Canine athletes can immediately go from the massage table back to actively participating in their sport.
Click the button above to schedule your dog’s trigger point therapy session.
Texas & Oklahoma clients: Please click here to download the state’s mandatory veterinary acknowledgement form, which must be submitted at your dog’s first appointment. Additional services offered: PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) in conjunction with your dog’s massage.
Testimonials
“Julianne has been working on my 17-year-old Dachshund/Jack Russell mix for a few months now, and it has done wonders for my senior dog. She moves better, has less pain, and is overall improved in her range of motion.
She is always so happy after her massages, she hops around like she is 10 years younger. I can’t sing Julianne’s praises enough — you can tell how much she cares about her clients and their health.”
~ Carrie Nietzel
“I met Julianne at the Lucky Dog agility trial in Tyler, TX. My Toy Aussie was in much need of some trigger points massage due to sore tight muscles and some knots that needed to be worked out, which had begun to affect her performance in the ring.
My dog has refused in the past to allow a therapist to work on her. So I was pleased that she allowed Julianne to do so. By the end of the session, Amber showed much joy and appreciation to Julianne.”
~ Jean Stockton
“My Snoxer, Skylee, had cruciate ligament repair twice. Even after physical therapy, her range of motion was limited, and she didn’t want anyone to touch the area. Julianne was able to keep her calm, and after a few minutes, Skylee even laid down on the table.
After her massage, she was full of energy and obviously felt better. We have had a series of massages, and Skylee is back to her old self. Julianne has a special touch, and dogs just know that her intent is to help them.”
~ Madison B.