Canine Myofunctional Therapy is a natural therapy using soft tissue massage to treat the entire canine muscular system. It is specifically designed to benefit a dog through every stage of life, by combining remedial and sports massage with relaxation techniques to repair and maintain muscle and joint flexibility, extensibility and body balance.

Pain and trauma can be carried in your own body for so long that it is outside of your conscious awareness. This is true for your animals too, BUT they often have active pain that they can’t tell you about, and that you can’t see. How much more energy and joy would they feel if they were free of this?

All dogs experience wear and tear on their bodies as they age. Playing with their friends, chasing the ball, running on the beach, agility and sporting activities, even just regular walking can cause silent pain and tension to build up in the soft tissues of the body over time. 

Silent Pain (Soft Tissue Pain)

Silent Pain is soft tissue pain. It is found especially in the fascia (connective tissues) and is often invisible to dog guardians. Canines have a deep instinct to hide pain or weakness as a survival trait.

Soft Tissue Pain builds up slowly, over a long period of time. Subtle signs like animals getting a little slower, stiffer, or not working as enthusiastically as they used to are often chalked up to normal aging.

Dogs often will not vocalize their silent pain, even severe pain. Most humans believe that dogs will make a noise if they are hurting! 

This soft tissue pain is invisible to X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and Ultrasound scans, making it difficult for vets to diagnose. The only way to accurately and consistently find silent pain in your dog’s body is with a skilled hands-on assessment.

• The very first thing to look out for is any slight changes in behavior
• Any sense that something is not right with your dog
• Any increase in your dog’s reactivity or aggression
• Any reduction in play behavior
• Shaking, trembling, excess panting
• ‘Not wanting’ to jump on the couch, bed, or into the car
• Any signs of slowness or stiffness in getting up and down
• Flickering/ twitching of the skin under your hands when you stroke your dog
• Warm or hot areas on the body
• Not stretching at all, or stretching a lot
• Changes in posture
• Anything less than a vigorous wave of shaking from nose right through to the tail.

CMT offers many physiological and psychological benefits for your dog.

Including:

• Reduces muscle pain, tension and fatigue
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Improves joint range of motion
• Assists with the body’s natural healing process
• Helps reduce stress, anxiety and fear
• Improves nerve function
• Enhances skin and coat health
• Reduces scarring, adhesions and swelling
• Addresses compensatory muscle tightness and soreness following injury or surgery
• Assists in eliminating toxic waste by increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage in the body
• Maintains and prolongs mobility in senior dogs through ease of motion and reduction in pain
• Accelerated recovery following exercise
• Assists with relief from arthritis by improving ease of joint movement and reducing secondary muscle compensatory soreness in other areas of the body
• By reducing tension tightness and soreness in compensatory muscles, CMT can assist with the alleviation of symptoms of Elbow & Hip dysplasia as well as Limb amputation, CCL surgery and Spondylosis
• Helps us to connect with our canine companions on a deeper level

By treating our canine companions with healing massage & bodywork, they regain mobility, become happier, more playful, more active, and relaxed.

The mental & emotional wellbeing of our dogs is extremely important, and massage can really help dogs with anxiety and trauma. 

Trauma and anxiety are embedded or imprinted into the neuro-fascial network of the body – when we release physical patterns of pain and tension, we can heal the mental and emotional aspects of these conditions too.

The right quality of healing touch triggers a deep relaxation response in the dogs as we work with them – a body level or somatic relaxation response. We use massage to train anxious or traumatized animals how to relax, how to switch off, how to be calm and at peace.

Bailey is a 7-year-old Boxer. Bailey’s owner noticed that he had started experiencing stiffness and reduced mobility in his hind legs. Bailey had previously undergone surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right hind leg, and although he had recovered well from the surgery, he still struggled with occasional discomfort and limited range of motion.

Bailey’s parents wanted to help him, what could they do?

After doing some thorough research on Canine remedial massage and all its benefits, they sought out Canine & Co Therapeutic Massage, and came to see Kat.

After an initial gait and soft tissue assessment, we identified muscle tension and imbalances in Bailey’s hindquarters, particularly in the muscles surrounding his surgical site. He also had compensatory muscle imbalance and strain in his other legs.

A tailored treatment plan was created to address these issues and improve Bailey’s overall well-being.

Over the course of six weekly sessions, with full body massage and a focus on the specific areas of concern, we utilized various techniques and exercises to alleviate Bailey’s muscle tension, and improve circulation and blood flow to encourage swift healing. We used Reiki to promote relaxation and release stagnant energy.

As the sessions progressed, Bailey’s owner noticed significant improvements in his mobility and overall comfort. Bailey became more willing to engage in physical activities and showed increased flexibility in his hind legs. He was able to easily climb onto the bed and the couch again!

His gait became smoother and more natural, indicating reduced stiffness and improved range of motion. Bailey also appeared more relaxed and content following each massage session, which helped alleviate any residual anxiety or stress related to his previous surgery.

With regular massage therapy, Bailey experienced sustained improvements, and his overall quality of life has significantly improved. The therapy not only addressed his physical discomfort but also provided a positive bonding experience between Bailey and his parents.

As Bailey is in his senior years, he can be prone to arthritis in his older age. Bailey’s parents continue to schedule monthly maintenance sessions to ensure ongoing muscular health and joint mobility, and to support Bailey’s overall well-being, and he continues to thrive!