Massage has been used for therapeutic purposes - on both humans and animals - since the very dawn of time. Its beneficial use has been documented in our earliest cultures from the Egyptians... to the Phoenicians... to the Greeks... to the Romans and on to the present time. It is noteworthy, that in the very first books on human and veterinary medicine, entire chapters would be devoted to the use, benefits and implementation of massage therapy.
Later on, as so-called miracle drugs were developed, the medical establishment in concert with the fledgling pharmaceutical industry decided that "old fashion" therapies and treatments - like massage - were no longer needed, nor did they have any meaningful place in a health regimen.
It was only when prescription drugs (some with side effects worse than the condition's symptoms) became too prolific and too expensive did people begin to reconsider some of those therapies discarded in the past. Slowly but surely, in the last quarter of the 20th Century these modalities along with some "newer" Eastern Cultured Therapies began to compete in a very real way for the acceptance and dollars of an increasingly discerning society. That is, society began to realize that they were often getting as much relief and treatment from "alternatives" as from the Pharmacist's drugs and the surgeon's scalpel.
At the same time, people were beginning to understand that if these alternative therapies could help them, they would probably work as well on their pets and the other animals in their care. Thus, in the late 1980's there began to be a significant move toward the use of these alternative therapies on both companion animals and horses involved in racing and show events. Chief among these therapies in actual therapeutic value and cost effectiveness has been massage.
Among the many documented benefits of massage are:
An article from The American Veterinarian further discusses the benefits of Equine Massage. We obtained permission to post the article and it is posted below:
Although limited studies have examined the benefits of equine massage, this noninvasive therapy continues to grow in popularity among horse owners, competitors, and rehabilitation facility owners. Here’s why.
Posted with permission
Written by Paige Cerulli
Published on July 7, 2018 in The American Veterinarian
https://www.americanveterinarian.com/news/the-benefits-of-equine-massage-therapy
Later on, as so-called miracle drugs were developed, the medical establishment in concert with the fledgling pharmaceutical industry decided that "old fashion" therapies and treatments - like massage - were no longer needed, nor did they have any meaningful place in a health regimen.
It was only when prescription drugs (some with side effects worse than the condition's symptoms) became too prolific and too expensive did people begin to reconsider some of those therapies discarded in the past. Slowly but surely, in the last quarter of the 20th Century these modalities along with some "newer" Eastern Cultured Therapies began to compete in a very real way for the acceptance and dollars of an increasingly discerning society. That is, society began to realize that they were often getting as much relief and treatment from "alternatives" as from the Pharmacist's drugs and the surgeon's scalpel.
At the same time, people were beginning to understand that if these alternative therapies could help them, they would probably work as well on their pets and the other animals in their care. Thus, in the late 1980's there began to be a significant move toward the use of these alternative therapies on both companion animals and horses involved in racing and show events. Chief among these therapies in actual therapeutic value and cost effectiveness has been massage.
Among the many documented benefits of massage are:
- Enhances muscle tone and range of motion.
- Reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints, thereby alleviating pain.
- Promotes the healing process by increasing the flow of nutrients to the muscles, and aiding in carrying away excessive fluids and toxins.
- Creates a positive effect on the contractual and release process of the muscles...releasing tension...relaxing muscles.
- Stimulates circulation by: defrosting frozen muscles, thereby releasing endorphins - the body's natural pain killers.
- Helps to maintain the whole body in better physical condition.
An article from The American Veterinarian further discusses the benefits of Equine Massage. We obtained permission to post the article and it is posted below:
Although limited studies have examined the benefits of equine massage, this noninvasive therapy continues to grow in popularity among horse owners, competitors, and rehabilitation facility owners. Here’s why.
- Pain relief: It is well known that massage therapy reduces and relieves muscle tension in humans, and it can do the same for horses. And with muscle tension relief comes pain relief. Areas of scar tissue can also benefit from massage. Massage loosens scar tissue gradually, helping the horse move more freely and reducing the associated pain. Massage and stretching can help restore a horse’s mobility after an injury by reducing tension as collagen fibers heal and realign themselves post trauma.
- Improved locomotor function: Massage can be a valuable addition to a rehabilitation program. By loosening tightened connective tissue, massage helps improve a horse’s overall locomotor function. The results are easy to see and are often visible immediately after a session. In a study at The Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, massage of the caudal muscles of the equine hind limb significantly increased passive and active hind limb protraction.
- Improved circulation: The compression and release pattern of equine massage can help promote circulation in the superficial areas of the limbs. It’s particularly useful for stallbound horses that develop lower leg edema by promoting blood and lymph circulation.
- Relaxation: Many horses visibly relax during a massage session by dropping their head, licking or chewing, cocking a hind leg, swaying with the massage therapist’s movements, and even going to sleep. A 2016 study on the effect of massage on the heart rate of Arabian racehorses supported anecdotal evidence regarding the relaxing benefits of massage. The study, performed on 72 racehorses, measured the heart rate and variability of horses during race season as evidence of the horses’ emotional state. Each group trained 6 days per week, and the experimental group also received massages 3 days per week. Changes in heart rate parameters in the experimental group suggested that “massage may be effectively used to make the racehorses more relaxed and calm.”
- Trust: A massage session also offers important trust-building elements. Owners who learn basic massage techniques can use massage to help a horse associate their touch with a pleasant experience. I have used massage on several rescue horses with impressive results. One mare was so frightened of humans that simply catching her in the stall proved a challenge. After a 40-minute massage session, she approached me as I left the stall, turned herself to the side, and allowed me to continue massaging her as she closed her eyes and lowered her head.
Posted with permission
Written by Paige Cerulli
Published on July 7, 2018 in The American Veterinarian
https://www.americanveterinarian.com/news/the-benefits-of-equine-massage-therapy
