“Taking The Waters”

“Taking the waters” is a phrase from ancient times that holds mysterious connotations. Taking the waters was, and is, a physical venture into healing, clearing and rejuvenation,” writes J. Paul de Vierville. “The ancients,” he continues, “believed that it cleansed the body, relaxed the heart, refreshed the mind and purified the soul.” For the fortunate dogs who get PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage it still does all that and more.

Dogs cannot tell us where it hurts, what the trauma was, and when it happened. Most of their physical and behavior issues have unknown or forgotten causes. There is no rational reason, for example, if the left shoulder is showing restriction, to only focus bodywork on the left shoulder. The rest of the body is clearly stressing while compensating for the shoulder weakness. We see the shoulder; however the imbalance is also above it, below it, next to it, and across from it. So,  where’s the stress? Where does it originate, where does it end, and what are the vectors of referrals. Each part of the body affects and is affected by every other part of the body.

The areas or systems affected during a PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage are often not directly connected to the areas that have been stimulated. As with dry PetMassage, the PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage process is both linear and nonlinear, with unpredictable unintended healing consequences. There are abundant possibilities. The effects are readily and easily integrated.

The body presents as a complicated tangle of muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and memories all interwoven amidst the layers of fascia. We could get caught up in the what, how, where, and why questions; or, we can see these as limiting, and move beyond them. Our simple directive is to assist the dog to create the best for himself out of what is going on here and now. The PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage focus of intention is on “allowing the waters to work their magic,” rather than “treating in the water.” We purposely do not get in the way of the water; rather, we direct the flow of the dog within it.

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage becomes the process of providing the structure and the means for the dog’s self-therapy. As the dog’s body is positioned and moved, the waters are “taken”. That is, the facilitated activities combined with the properties of the water are experienced and accepted. A dog’s entire life is affected by each PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage experience.

The properties of the water, buoyancy, temperature, drift and drag, are exaggerated with specific movements through which the dog is led. The range of motion of the dog’s body is enhanced, powerfully, naturally, working up to the edges of each dog’s capacity. In PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage it is the water that does the work; however, the water cannot be as effective without the PetMassage process.

The PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage session is an artistic form. It combines specific learned techniques and the dance-like intuitive interpretation of these skills. Each session is a unique event in the dog’s life.  Dogs become stronger, leaner, and more comfortable in their movements. Their bodies enjoy the benefits from deeper sleep, more effective digestion and thorough elimination. For older dogs, physically impaired dogs, and less active (apartment) dogs, PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage is an ideal modality for wellness management.

What if the dog is afraid of water? Initial sessions address any fears dogs may have about being in water. By the end of even the first session, the dogs are always appreciative of the one-on-one attention they receive, as well as how they feel, as demonstrated in their gait and demeanor.

It is important to understand what PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage is not. It is not swimming with your dog in the ocean, the lake, a pond or your backyard pool. It is not observing your dog swimming independently in water. It is not physical therapy for dogs. And, it is definitely not a substitute for veterinary care.

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage is powerful canine bodywork. It has a huge potential for enhancing the dog’s ROM, ROE (Range of Emotion), and overall quality of life.

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage is a complement to the training, health, and wellness care your dog is getting and it functions to augment post- and pre-surgical protocols.

In the new field of canine rehabilitation (University of Tennessee, Canine Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy, Millis, Levine, and Taylor), two procedures are prominent in practically every program: massage and swimming. PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage can be included with, and can enhance, many veterinary post-surgical and non-surgical rehabilitation regimens. The University of Tennessee was the first to combine PT with Veterinary Medicine. The program was so successful that it is now available in every vet school in the U.S.

Quoting the page http://landofpuregold.com/challenge-physical.htm which shows a multi-state and Canadian list of schools now offering canine rehabilitation, “There are many conditions that are treated with veterinary rehabilitation. These include arthritic, paralysis, pain, disc disease, limb deformities, amputations, obesity and weight management, physical weakness, lack of endurance and strength, pre- and post-op orthopedic and neurologic surgery.  Based upon a thorough evaluation process several different rehabilitation therapies may be prescribed. These include…manual physiotherapy (joint mobilization) land and underwater treadmills, hydrotherapy… massage, stretching and range of motion activities, hot/cold therapy.”

PetMassage Canine Aquatic Massage is a way for your dogs, or the dogs in your care, to “Take the best of the waters” and use them for the rest of their healthy, happy lives.