Canine Sports Massage: What is it?

Who doesn’t love a good massage? Not only are they enjoyable but they help reduce stress, elevate pain and muscle soreness. Sports massage is a specialized kind of massage which is often overlooked. If a human athlete is going to compete, they warm up and stretch. Afterwards they go for a walk and stretch again. But often agility (or working) dogs are rushed in preparation and then put back into their kennel once they are done (and not with ill intent). That is just how it has been done. So how does massage help?

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     Who doesn’t love a good massage? Not only are they enjoyable but they help reduce stress, elevate pain and muscle soreness. 
      Sports massage is a specialized kind of massage which is often overlooked. If a human athlete is going to compete, they warm up and stretch. Afterwards they go for a walk and stretch again. But often agility (or working) dogs are rushed in preparation and then put back into their kennel once they are done (and not with ill intent). That is just how it has been done. So how does massage help?
     Sports massage is beneficial pre-activity (or job) as well as post activity. Keep in mind canine sports massage does not take the place of a warm up but enhances it and can shorten it.

     Pre-Activity: The purpose of sports massage prior to the activity address the specific areas which accrue fatigue and stress and then helps with their range of motion. It importantly helps to significantly decrease the chances of Muscular Injury. The massage does this by bringing flexibility, warmth and length to the tissue. 
     Post-Activity: After your dog has had strenuous exercise, massage afterwards is great for helping to aid in the recovery by improving circulation, reducing muscular tension and the soreness that is caused 24 to 48 hours afterwards. The idea is to promote general relaxation.
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Not all dogs need the exact same so its important to have someone who can tailer the massage specifically to your dogs needs.

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