Information taken from M. Myles Medford in Canada – Chiropractic Pioneer

Look up under “Dog Muscles Pictures then go and fine “The Well Adjusted Dog” site.

When a muscle feels thick and fleshy you are probably touching the center of the muscle. This is the site most muscle knots and trigger points. By simply pressing your finger into a muscle knot when feeling for a particular muscle on your dog feel for it in all postures, standing, sitting, relaxed, flexed or extended an injured or spastic muscle will restrict movement in several postures.

If your dog is limping the limb that moves first (leads) during walking is the one that hurts. Feel for muscle tightness or swelling.

Pinched Nerve – If when pressed into a spot animal flinches you’ve probably located a pinched nerve. (Hot spot) usually cool off within 1 to 2 hours after the nerve interference has been removed (a joint that does not move freely another sign of nerve impingement) .

*DO NOT apply heat before treatment and if your dog is in pain he may have an inflamed joint or joint swelling that will become WORSE UNDER HEAT

KNOTTED – knotted in response to sudden movement. Massage before you walk him is often beneficial in preventing muscle spasms.

MASSAGE SEE ATTACHMENT ON MUSCLE PICTURE OF DOG……

Note direction of the fibers important when applying pressure point massage methods massage against the grain.

Heat/Cold Therapy

Heat – Relax aching muscles and temp reduces joint pain (heat helps reduce pain and stiffness by relaxing muscles and increasing circulation.)

Cold – Helps to lessen joint pain and swelling. (numb area by constricting the blood vessels and blocking Nerve impulses in the joint.

** THERE IS SOME CONCERN THAT HEAT MAY WORSEN SYMPTOMS IN AN ALREADY INFLAMED JOINT SO MONITOR YOUR PET’s REACTION CAREFULLY FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF HEAT.

Applying ice or cold packs appears to decrease inflammation .

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