Topical Review
Massage Therapy for Dogs and Cats

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2014.02.001Get rights and content

Massage is gaining recognition as a beneficial modality for the treatment of many ailments due to recent scientific research in humans. We can infer that these benefits apply to dogs and cats due to their similar physiology and anatomy. Defined as the therapeutic manipulation of soft tissues, massage has many effects on muscle, the circulatory system, the autonomic nervous system, and the mind. Various techniques are employed to achieve a desired effect in the treatment of many conditions, including but not limited to, swelling and edema, critical illness and prolonged recumbency, osteoarthritis and chronic pain, and palliative and hospice care. This article reviews the above topics and encourages the practitioner to seek out expert advice on massage in the care of companion animals.

Introduction

Traditionally, the word “massage” would cause an individual to envision lowly lit rooms and relaxing music at a day spa. However, attitudes toward massage are changing. According to the 17th annual consumer survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, 75% of individuals claimed their primary reason for receiving a massage was medical and stress related. Only 34% of respondents believed massage therapy is only a form of pampering.1 This is because recent scientific research in humans has documented great benefits from therapeutic massage for a variety of health conditions. Although the scientific evidence for the benefits of massage in companion animals is mostly lacking, we can still gain insight into its potential effects on dogs and cats.

Section snippets

Physiology of Massage

Massage is defined as the therapeutic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body,2, 3 and it has mechanical, physiological, and psychological effects.4 When massaged, a muscle is mechanically stretched, reducing its tone and increasing its pliability. Over time, this can lead to a reduction in muscle soreness and an increase in connective tissue strength.4 Scar tissue is also mobilized and softened, helping to maintain movement between tissues and restore function after injury or surgery.3, 4

Massage Techniques

Understanding the biomechanics of soft tissues is important when performing massage. Briefly, tissues of the body exhibit both viscosity, a property of fluids, and elasticity, a property of solids.4, 5 Viscoelastic materials absorb energy depending on the applied rate of loading. When such materials are loaded too rapidly or with a great amount of force, their stiffness increases. This is relevant when performing massage as it is important not to load tissues too rapidly or with too much force

Swelling and Edema

A variety of conditions can cause swelling and edema. Owing to soft tissue trauma, fracture repair, immune-mediated and infectious vasculitides, and hypoproteinemia, swelling and edema can be very debilitating. Pain, immobility, poor perfusion, cutaneous wounds and infections, scarring between tissues, and a delay in recovery are often consequences of untreated edema. Many studies have shown massage to be very effective in reducing limb edema in humans and small mammals.4, 6, 7 Depending on the

Summary

Massage has many beneficial mechanical, physiological, and psychological effects for numerous health conditions that research in humans has shown are valid. Although massage techniques can be taught to a layperson, a professional massage therapist is the expert sought after in human medicine, and the need for their expertise is growing. The American Massage Therapy Association׳s 17th annual survey revealed that 48% of respondents were encouraged by their doctor to receive a massage.1

References (18)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (13)

  • Physical Rehabilitation in Zoological Companion Animals

    2023, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Animal Practice
    Citation Excerpt :

    The goals of treatment are to produce relaxation, improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, reduce pain, increase flexibility of soft tissues, and restore joint mobility.17,18 The exact therapeutic mechanism by which MT works is not fully understood and probably represents a combination of physiologic, bio-mechanical or physical, and psychological effects.18,19 ( Table 3) The physiologic effects of MT include the reduction of pain via the pain gate theory and stimulation of the descending inhibitory tracts leading to pain inhibition and tissue relaxation.20,21

  • Physical Rehabilitation for Small Animals

    2022, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice
    Citation Excerpt :

    Some studies have anecdotally suggested that soft tissue mobilization has a positive effect on circulation, driving fluid from the interstitial space to the vessel, which also decreases swelling.19 Mobilization of connective tissue is also used to increase the extensibility of the tissue, to increase ROM, to prevent or reduce adhesion formation, and to increase scar mobility.48 It has also been shown to promote healing, reduce pain, eliminate trigger points or tender areas, enhance postexercise recovery, increase function, and improve quality of life.49,50

  • Canine Mobility Maintenance and Promotion of a Healthy Lifestyle

    2022, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice
  • Small Animal Massage Therapy: A Brief Review and Relevant Observations

    2017, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine
    Citation Excerpt :

    Despite the lack of corresponding studies in dogs and cats, similar immune responses are thought to occur, with similar indications of massage therapy in oncologic patient care. Massage therapy enjoys solid reputation in management of geriatric, hospitalized or terminal human35 and animal9 patients. Such patients often present with progressive degenerative articular disease, loss of muscle tonus and mass, cognitive decline and development of gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., depressed gut motility), and immunosupression.

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text