Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition which affects the bodies 3D Network of Fascia. Fascia is a specialised connective tissue that looks similar to a spiders’ web and surrounds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fibre and muscle in the body. It plays a major role in perception of posture and supports proprioception and coordination, by sending nerve signals that are relayed to the muscles.

When fascia undergoes trauma, it loses its relaxed, wavy configuration and pliability, and becomes thicker and sticky. When this happens, it can restrict blood flow, irritate nerve endings, limiting mobility and brings about myofascial trigger points, the knock-on effects to a dog’s mobility, character and activity levels can be huge.

Causes:

• Secondary to Osteoarthritis

• As a result of a Strain (tear to a muscle)

• Activities of Daily Living e.g. jumping on/off furniture

• Anything repetitive e.g. high energy ball chasing

• ‘Body Slamming’ by other dogs

• Dehydration or dogs that don’t drink much water

• Trigger Points cause Myofascial Pain

• Activities completed during agility

• Impact/Trauma

• Natural conformation e.g. Hound types are very prone to myofascial issues as are Belgian Shepherd, English Pointers

• Convalescence

• Old Age

Symptoms:

·      Pain

·      Stiffness

• Skin twitching or flinching

• Yelping when touched in an area

• Sore back legs

• Tight skin

• They may grimace or have ‘tickly’ spot around the middle of the back (it’s not a tickly spot at all but more about that later)

• Restricted Range of motion

• Reluctant to petted/groomed

• Excessively rolling on their back

• Hair flicking up where it hasn’t before

• Exaggerated Panniculus Reflex

• A nervous or anxious character

• A dog that is reluctant to be handled

How massage can help:

Painkillers and traditional NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) often don’t improve dogs with myofascial pain. We have specific massage techniques in our armoury that focus on releasing adhered fascia.

• Breaks down restrictive scar tissue and realigns muscle fibres 

• Releases sore, painful trigger points

• Relieves muscle tension 

• Relieves pain from over compensating muscles

• Releases tight, bound fascia enabling better range of movement

• Improves the circulation, which helps to deliver fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues

• Reduces inflammation

• Helps to ease stress and anxiety caused by pain