Clinical Canine Massage
Working 'with' your dog & not 'on' your dog
Clinical Canine Massage
Over the last decade of delving into the world of understanding dogs I began to recognise the importance of learning what they are trying to communicate. I started to work closely with Jayne Strange, a Lenton Method®️ Clinical Canine Massage Therapist & Conditioning Coach who also specialises in Canine Osteopathy over 5 years ago to look deeper into this.
Together our combined knowledge taught us that there is a clear link to dogs being in pain & dogs displaying behaviours. Behaviour is simply a communication that 'something isn't right'. If I considered a dogs behaviours to be a result of pain I would always target this first.
I am currently working towards my Clinical Canine Massage Level 5 Qualification with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre & can't wait to be qualified.
In the mean time I continue to refer cases to Jayne who I believe need to be assessed for pain, conditioning or osteopathy related issues first.
What is the Lenton Method®️ ?
The Lenton Method® is a 3-tiered approach to the evaluation, treatment and re-evaluation of the canine patient who presents with soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries and/or degenerative diseases like canine osteoarthritis. It is also utilised for emotional regulation and deeply ingrained patterns of trauma which have become embedded in the fascia. Think of it like this, when there is a behaviour or physical issue, the fascia will change in shape and tensegrity: so we change the fascia, change the posture, change the behaviour.
Tier 1 - Advanced Palpation
Tier 2 - Body Mapping
During their training, therapists commit to memory a comprehensive anatomical map of the dog’s musculature and fascia along with the precise locations of injuries which include strains, trigger points, hypertonicity and myofascial pain.
This promotes consistency between practitioners and is utilised in conjunction with Tier 1: Advanced Palpation. The therapist will also integrate orthopaedic testing to analyse joint function which is important for chronic pain management of disease, treatment planning, re-evaluation and understanding when referral back to a vet for diagnosis is required for best practice procedures.
Tier 3 - The 7 Series Protocols
The practice of informed touch involves the therapist’s ability to read and translate texture, tone, tenderness and temperature of the many muscles of the body (the 4T’s) using a comprehensive and structured palpatory procedure. Guild therapists also utilise the ‘3 Interconnected Qualities of Fascia’ model (Luchau 2015) simultaneously with the 4T’s for assessment and re-evaluation.
A palpation or muscular health check will assess around 100 (50 pairs) muscles along with fascia which will be built upon during treatment. The therapists use a range of different and varied palpatory techniques alongside grip modulation and force control for a comfortable experience. Palpatory literacy is a key skill necessary for gaining a thorough picture of primary and secondary issues including overcompensation.
A series of complex direct neuromyofascial releases to address chronic structural imbalance and fascial dysfunction as a result of soft tissue injury, degenerative joint disease and emotional imbalance. Following Tiers 1 & 2, the 7 protocols may be preceded by Swedish, sports and deep tissue massage to prepare the structures, nervous system and mind of the dog.
We are essentially asking for a parasympathetic nervous system response so that the profound nature of the Protocols can take strong effect. Applied with often profound and long-lasting results as determined by the indicators presented and outcome achieved, they are a key factor in the success of the therapy. Superficial, Deep & Periosteal fascia is addressed and it is a safe therapy for younger and senior dogs alike.
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