Recently, 7 year old Miniature Dachshund Rufus started dipping slightly from his back left leg. In his short life, he has already undergone 2 major spinal operations due to fenestrated vertebrae and his Mum was rightly conscious of the need to help him through any new mobility issues as soon as possible.
He appreciates some calming Reiki work during his massage, so Chris went to give a double therapy session.
He was very excited to see him. And responsive, settling in for some muscle tension release and compression, which is one of his favourite techniques. All the while, also getting some calming Reiki.
His Mum was astounded by his response and the way he looked even longer at the end of the session. His whole body also felt warmer and softer. He’d clearly been taking all the therapies in.
Last week we delivered the 9th occasion of the special Relax HAOK9 Massage CPD training we designed for the professional therapists of the Healing Animal Organisation.
This time we had 15 delegates from all over the UK and Europe who attended the workshop in the Healing Barn to add manual therapy to their existing skill sets.
Throughout the various days, we had more than a dozen dogs of different sizes, age and issues, who came along, with their vet agreement forms, to help the delegates enhance their techniques. And by the end of each day, there was a Pup Puddle on the floor – snoring smiling relaxed dogs.
Thank you to everyone who came along to spread the benefits of canine massage therapy to many more dogs internationally.
Whoopi Rose Monkey may only be 1 year old, but she’s a veteran at massage already. Not so much with her, but by watching her brother Harry receive his regular sessions from Chris. During each session, she’ll be receiving the Reiki that is passed her way as well.
When she first attended the sessions, she had to separated in an adjoining room as she just thought “Hmm…humans on the floor….must climb on them”. But as she became used to Chris sitting on the floor with her handsome brother, she would join in, but slightly less enthusiastically.
Now she has her own reason for physical therapy having developed a limp from her front end. She was very tolerant and accepting – she is still a wriggly pup remember. Chris was soon able to find the reason for the limping which was a very tight right shoulder and compensating left hip. She allowed all the techniques and clearly enjoyed the therapeutic touch. She wound down remarkably and was quite calm at the end.
Brother Harry did not get missed out of course. In between Whoopi Wiggles, he came up for his own therapy. He always greets Chris like an old friend, coming up with his tail wagging.
Another example of how the dog who is not being treated can benefit as well. When it becomes their turn, they know what to expect.
#whentwobecomeone
Meet Laura – or “Hugo’s in lurve”
Not a dog this time, but a fellow practitioner. Laura is one of Elizabeth Whiter’s Healing Animal Organisation’s graduates (http://www.healinganimals.org/) who attended the HAOK9 Relax Level 1 Diploma module that we’ve written and delivered specially for the HAO. She’s coming along to the Level 2 diploma in a few weeks and wanted to shadow me before then.
I thought that the Weimaraner brothers of Luther & Hugo would be a good shadow as they’re both very used to physical therapy and, being big boys, have a lot of body to work with.
As it happens, Hugo decided to pick up a limp on the morning of the session. That meant that instead of Laura just watching, she could use her skills to help Hugo. Hugo is a lovely boy, but his size can be imposing. However, he fell in love with Laura immediately, lying down with his head on her lap, silly grin and closed eyes.
Using her energy skills as well as hands-on physical therapy, Laura quickly picked up where he wanted some help. Starting lightly, she was soon directed by Hugo how deep she could massage him. He was in bliss. Soppy face throughout, looking up at her with goo goo eyes.
As I’ve said many times, all the complementary therapies have their place. Mixing and matching these therapies can often be more effective than one at a time. Hugo certainly seemed to believe that was the case.
Beautiful Hanna was a Cyprus Rescue Dog adopted by Louise of Touch of Reiki. Hanna came over to the UK a couple of days before Lou was due to take our Level 1 Canine Massage Diploma module with the Healing Animals Organisation.
Lou decided to bring her along to the course to help with their initial bonding. Quite understandably, Hanna had quite a few emotional and physical issues including a lot of scratching and nibbling at her own body. Plus she was quite anxious when other dogs or people moved in too close to her.
When Lou was working with other dogs in the class, Hanna sat quietly with my Chris who added some extra relaxing massage and energy therapy. At the end of the module, by the time of the exam, Hanna's personality had changed immensely for the better. Lots of tears.
Fast forward a few months. Lou had been working with Hanna in a truly multi modal and multi-faceted way giving her Reiki healing, physical therapy from massage, plus self-selection of natural food remedies and oils. Goodness, what a transformation. No scratching, calmer, glossy fur and even allowing different people to work with her. When Lou came to the Level 2 Diploma module, everyone thought she'd brought along a new dog. Which was sort of right I guess!
Now for the Proud Uncle Les moment. Lou and I were invited along to be the expert speakers on Canine Massage to a group of Mums and Dads with their dogs for The Dogs Club. And who was the star demo dog? Hanna. She proudly sat up on the stage in front of lots of dogs and allowed Lou to show them some techniques while I explained what she was doing and why. Hanna even flopped her head down to go to sleep when we did the Extra Relaxing Move. Our Sarah couldn't have done it better herself and she's had 5 years practice of being a massage ham.
Oh so proud to be a part of this lovely dog’s healing process. It goes to show that physical therapy is not just for arthritis. It can affect and benefit the whole dog. Add in some energy healing and you've a Holistic Healing routine.
Well done Hanna.
Reiki and massage therapy are essentially both stress-relieving techniques that combat and release mental and physical fatigue. However, there are differences between the two therapies, the main ones being :
- Massage is fundamentally a physical therapy involving manual touch and manipulation of the muscles, fascia and joints to relax tight muscles and assist with the circulatory systems. Reiki generally does not involve touch and works on the energy channels in the specific areas of the body to relieve blockages that cause stress and illness. Massage can be described as physical manipulation, whereas Reiki is energetic manipulation.
- In some instances, physical massage may be contraindicated – e.g. some cancers or open wounds. Reiki therapy is safe for people with any medical condition as it requires no touch or very little touch.
- Reiki can also be performed on a recipient from a distance and is a more recent practice dating back to only 1922 by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist. Massage requires the physical presence and dates back several hundred years
Both therapies have the same aim to increase and free the unbalanced energy flow in the body and so are complementary to each other. In fact many physical massage therapists use Reiki techniques during a session to concentrate on the emotional and mental well-being.
If you feel that your dog would benefit more from Reiki session, or if physical massage is contraindicated, we have a qualified Reiki practitioner in the AchyPaw team who can perform this alternative complementary therapy.
Additionally, as we are always adding to the toolkit of services that we can offer to dogs and constantly attending courses and workshops we also offer Animal Healing. Read about this here.
As with all complementary treatments, there is no intention to replace veterinarian advice, more to support and enhance the effects and to add to the toolkit of available therapies we can offer to benefit dogs at AchyPaw.
If you are interested in learning more about Reiki or Animal Healing for your dog, please contact us.
Recently, 7 year old Miniature Dachshund Rufus started dipping slightly from his back left leg. In his short life, he has already undergone 2 major spinal operations due to fenestrated vertebrae and his Mum was rightly conscious of the need to help him through any new mobility issues as soon as possible. 
