Canine Myotherapy, Common Dog Illnesses and the Benefits of Canine Muscle Therapy

Author: Jeff Zitzkat

It's a known fact that most dogs take on the personality of their owners. Just as our dogs learn by our body language and actions, we can also learn from theirs. Ever notice how your dog seems to know when you're sick?

As our dogs age, certain ailments, health problems, and dog illnesses may manifest. A change in gait, activity, energy, or appetite, are all signs of a potential underlying health issues. Maybe you noticed she just seems stiff lately, has a harder time with stairs, or takes longer to get up from bed.

Although orthopediec problems are often the cause of such symptoms, muscular dysfunction may also be the culprit. In any case, myotherapy can be helpful to prevent and resolve the pain associated with a variety of dog illnesses and other health issues.

Initially, a certified Myotherapist will apply gentle pressure along your dog's muscle edges, finding and releasing trigger points, or ""knots"" as they are also known. These knots can be very painful to your dog, limit muscle range of motion, and cause her to adjust her gait or body positions to compensate for the pain. If left untreated, these compensations in posture made by your dog can lead to additional issues.

By releasing these trigger points, and stretching each muscle group through their full range of motion, the Myotherapist stimulates endorphins and improves blood flow to the area. While the endorphins act as a natural pain killer, the increased blood flow helps to flush the muscles of lactic acid. The end result is a dog in less pain with increased flexibility who of course, is much happier.

Canine myotherapy is often used for issues such as poor gait, stiffness, lameness, lethargy, roached back, poor flexibility, limping, arthritis, cow hocks, Lyme disease stiffness, as well as many other similar canine ailments.

The number of sessions and length of treatment will vary for each individual dog and is based on the severity of its condition. Your Myotherapist will make an analysis during your initial visit. Once treatment begins, you may notice an increase in the need for water, increased sleep, and increased stretching. These reactions should resolve shortly and are a result of your dog's body recovering and healing.

Most likely you will be sent home with an exercise program to implement at regular intervals. This assures that the level of muscular health achieved by the canine myotherapy sessions is maintained.

If your dog shows symptoms of muscular dysfunction, or other health issues, consider a visit to a Canine Myotherapist. You will be rewarded with a more energetic, alert, and agile companion.

Jeff Zitzkat, Copyright ©

Founder & Editor

all-about-great-da nes.com

Additional information on

dog illnesses affecting large breed dogs, including those that may be treated with Canine Myotherapy, visit all-about-great-d anes.com

About the author: Jeff Zitzkat is a Great Dane owner and Founder of all-about-Great-Danes.com

A life long Great Dane admirer, he has teamed up with a small group of Dane passionate people to offer an all inclusive, comprehensive, on line resource dedicated to the welfare of the breed.

Topics include training, health, behavior, diet, nutrition, puppies, breeders, rescue, news, and more. A growing selection of breed related apparel and accessories, as well as a vi