We, as dog carers, have different needs and preferences, just like our dogs. For this reason, chiropractic treatments may be a better fit for you and your dog than massage.

Where dogs are comfortable with a chiropractic treatment, their condition is well suited to this modality and you are comfortable with your practitioner, then chiropractic is ideal for you.

Both my dogs have had chiropractic treatments with excellent results. In the case of my girl, she would spring from the treatment table and move freely immediately after an adjustment. She was happy and so was I.

Despite these wonderful results, for my dogs, I prefer canine massage.

As a canine myofunctional (massage) therapist, I understand that the skeleton is supported and given movement by the body’s soft tissues – fascia, connective tissue, skeletal muscle and tendons. For my dogs’ conditions, treating the soft tissues which is the focus of massage, was a more appropriate response to addressing movement dysfunction and any associated discomfort than adjusting the skeletal alignment.

Further, me and my dogs are more comfortable with the “administration” of canine massage therapy. We like the gentle and calming approach of massage, passive range of movement exercises and mobilisations, particularly as my dogs are now considered to be “senior”. We also enjoy our daily physical therapy sessions, where we play “games” that keep the dogs flexible and strong.

Like many dog related topics, there is no “right” answer. For the sake of our dogs and also our own peace of mind that we are doing the best for each of our dogs, I think it is important to find a modality that suits individual dog’s preferences and health conditions.

Full Stride provides in home and clinic based massage therapy treatments. For more information please feel free to contact me . I also invite you to subscribe to receive notifications of new blog posts.

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.