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Pain-Free Pooch
Five Natural Therapies that Work by Jennifer Kachnic
Because dogs won’t always let us know when they’re hurting, some people assume they don’t experience pain the same way we do, but that’s not the case. Instincts retained from their wild heritage will generally prompt them to hide pain as it’s a sign of weakness.
T
he truth is that arthritis and muscle or joint injuries are just as uncomfortable for dogs as they are for us, and many canine ill- nesses generate significant pain. While conventional medications can ease discomfort, they’re not the only or even the best options in many cases. Alternative therapies can be help- ful in managing and relieving pain and work best as part of a whole body wellness program designed for a dog’s individual needs. To that end, always consult with an integrative veterinarian before starting any new treatment. To- gether, practitioner and owner will note that some of the following modalities may be contraindicated in some situ- ations—for example, massage should never be performed on or near a tumor. Canine Massage: Dogs love mas- sage because they crave being touched. Physical contact from another being provides a calming effect and brings comfort. Skin, the largest sense organ in the body, is loaded with sensory receptors and nerve endings that reg- ister touch, temperature and pain, and send information to the brain. Massage
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therapy relaxes muscles and also stimu- lates endorphins, increases circulation, elevates oxygen levels, flushes toxins, helps with inflammation, strengthens the immune system and accelerates healing. All of these benefits can con- tribute to effective pain management. Acupuncture and Acupressure: Both of these time-honored modalities are based on the concept of keeping vital energy flowing through the body and seek to stimulate key points along the energy meridians beneath the skin. Acu- puncture involves the insertion of small needles at these points, while acupressure uses fingers to apply pressure to the same points. Both modalities are widely known to assist in managing pain and anxiety. Energy Healing: Here, the prac-
titioner improves the flow of energy in an animal’s body using a range of gentle and powerful natural therapies. During a treatment, the trained healer sends sub- tle energy through the hands to promote physical and emotional balance and healing. While conventional medicine follows the belief that treatments for disease or injury must be strictly biologi- cal, energy medicine works to restore
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