Clinical Canine Massage Therapy
Who are the Canine MAssage Guild?
I am a proud member of the Canine Massage Guild having trained for 2 years in clinical canine massage therapy with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre.
Their mantra is to “offer affordable, effective, and ethical clinical canine massage therapy for dogs with musculoskeletal issues”.
“Canine Massage Guild therapists are committed to the core values of animal welfare, consumer protection, clarity of law and professional standards as well as delivering the best possible service to dogs, their owners, and veterinary practices”. (Canine Massage Guid, 2020)
Belmar canine massage therapy
I am based in Swindon, Wiltshire and in Banbury, Oxfordshire. I also massage in Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire. You can come to me and i can massage in my home studio or i can come to you and massage at your home address. We can talk about your requirements and decide then. I am fully insured with Balens Insurance.
I have completed over 1200 hours of learning in massage therapy and I carry out regular continual professional development (CPD) to keep developing my skills and deepen my understanding of our canine companions.
I specialise in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage and myofascial release (both indirect and direct). I also use a clinically tested techniqiue, The Lenton Method, which is a specific set of myofascial releases to increase the effectiveness of the therapy. For more info on the Lenton Method please click here.
Clinical Trials
Ground-breaking clinical trials into the efficacy of Canine Massage Therapy, published in Vet Record.
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This unique, strong, manipulative clinical massage for dogs works by releasing tight, sore muscles, removing debilitating ‘knots’ or trigger points that cause referred pain. It also helps rehabilitate injuries by breaking down restrictive scar tissue caused by daily activities that may be responsible for your dog’s discomfort.
It can help to resolve many day to day mobility issues whether they have suddenly come on or have been there for while. Getting your dog therapeutically treated by a member of the Canine Massage Guild is a must for any dog owner concerned with their dog’s mobility and health. It can help give you answers for what you are seeing with your dog and, importantly, then do something about it with an hour of hands on therapy.
I aim to give your dog results in just 1-3 sessions.
It’s also a natural form of pain relief that can help to resolve soft tissue or muscular problems and helps support orthopaedic issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia with tangible results. Just see the website for testimonials!
Results You Can See & Your Dog Can Feel!
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To pinpoint and rehabilitate muscular injury and issues successfully in 1-3 sessions
To provide pain management for arthritis, hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic conditions
To remove trigger points and spasms and to normalise muscular function and activity
To support senior dogs and those who seem to be slowing down
To improve gait and posture
As an aid in pain management for dogs intolerant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or with renal dysfunction
To enhance the performance of sporting and agility dogs
To improve the dog’s ability to be examined/handled/groomed by addressing myofascial dysfunction
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There are lots of symptoms that massage therapy can help with, some easy to see, some more subtle, and some may not be seen at all but will be felt by the dog. These are some of the things that you may see as an owner…
Lameness or limping
Stiffness
Difficulty going up/down stairs
Signs of ageing i.e. generally slowing down
Pain in back, neck or shoulders
Performance Issues i.e. Agility, knocking poles, Obedience; send away
Arthritis, Hip/Elbow dysplasia
Reluctant on walks
Disinterested in life i.e. seeming down/depressed
Old before their time
Gait/Posture irregularities eg: roaching/swayback
Nervous or shy of contact/touching
Anxiety i.e. seperation, new situations, other animals
Quivering of the skin
Nibbling their own body i.e. their back end or their feet
Crying/yelping in pain
Twitching down back
This is just a small list of the types of things that you would see. We use 5 principles to determine the type of symptom. They are gait, posture, behaviour, perfomrance and activities of daily living. Using these 5 principles we can determine the area of symptom that your dog is showing.
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There are many amazing results to be seen and felt after a session of clinical canine massage therapy. I aim to see results between 1 and 3 sessions. These are some of the results you will see…
Better movement and resolution or a significant reduction of lameness or limping
Reduced stiffness
Increased ability to go up and down stairs
A ‘younger’ dog
Significantly reduced pain levels
Improved working/agility performance eg: not knocking poles, good contacts and weave entry
Coping better with arthritis and other orthopaedic conditions
Happy to go on and enjoying walks again
An improved mood and generally more settled and calm
Able to get in/out of car
Got their ‘zest’ back for life
Better posture eg: no more swayback or roaching
More fluid, effortless gait
Better sleeping patterns and seeming more relaxed
Reduction in anxiety both inside and outside the house
Better posture and ability to do daily activites
Reduction or resolving of skin twitching
These are just the most common changes seen however there are many more that we will see with specific dogs relating to their specific issue. However, all positive changs is the right kind of change so we welcome any results that make the dog more happy and comfortable.
features and benefits
Please follow the link below for a full list of features and benefits that massage therapy has. These features and benefits will bring about positive changes in your doggie.
common conditions
Here is a list of some of the more common soft tissue injuries, orthopaedic conditons and some other condtions that massage therapy can help with for your doggie.
What does a session involve?
The initial session will be 1h 15m and will begin with a full consultation session where i get to know a little about you and plenty about your dog, about his/her medical history, activites of daily living and any concerns or observations you may have. We will then discuss your expectations of the therapy too. After this catch up session we will then do….
Gait analysis
Postural analysis
Superficial palpation
5-50 minute massage therapy session
Full diagrammatic feedback with you
Devise a home care plan and other recommendations
At the end of the session i would also encourage you to ask any questions you may have. I will then follow up with you a few days later to see how your doggie is and answer any queries you may have.
Prices
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Prices -
How much does massage therapy cost?
The first session price is £45 - this includes the full consultation, massage therapy and home care advice (up to 1h 30m)
From session 2 the price is £40 - this includes the massage therapy (up to 1h)
I will also be available on the telephone between sessions and after the completion of the treatment for any queries.
** A small charge will be applied for treatment outside of a 5 mile radius of the clinic **
insurance options for massage therapy
The Canine Massage Guild are proud to announce that the Guild is now listed as an official provider with Petplan UK, LV Pet Insurance, Pets at Home Insurance and Animal Care Insurance. This makes things easier for you to claim back the costs of your dogs clinical canine massage sessions that you have with me. If you are insured with another insurance company you may still be able to claim back your treatment, however the easiest way to asvertain your level of cover is to call your insurance company and speak to them about the treatment and they will explain the cover options with you.
From the evidence based research and clinical trials with Winchester University, the Lenton Method, and clinical canine massage therapy, proved that the therapy works in 1-3 sessions. These results, as well as the wealth of knowledge and experience of the therapists, are the reasons that the insurance companies are beginning to list Clinical Canine Massage Therapy and the Lenton Method as recognised and standalone treatments that can be offered as a therapy for recovery, pain management and rehabilitation.