When you consider how many nerve pathways and sensory neurons there are in the fascia it is no wonder that prolonged stress, anxiety, and fear can have an impact on the myofascial network. The fascia holds habitual patterns of stress or acute traumatic events and the pain from this (myofascial pain) can lead to a change in posture. This can then lead to gait changes and further injury, so it is important to address this to improve nerve and muscular function.

Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which relaxes the body, slows your dogs’ breathing and heart rate, and lowers blood pressure. It is during the stimulation of this system that the body feels safe and relaxed and can carry out the life-sustaining processes in the body such as digestion.  

Symptoms that suggest massage could help your dog’s anxiety levels:

• Twitching of the skin/tight skin

• Doesn’t like to be handled/touched/groomed/examined

• Has been attacked by another dog

• Rescue/Rehomed

• Scared of strangers

• Nervous or aggressive around other dogs (may be symptomatic of a pain guarding reflex).