MASSAGE THERAPY FOR OUR PETS

By Michael Holloway

 Life for pepper was growing more difficult at 14 years of age she had gone through bilateral ACL surgery to correct her knee problems. Knees were only one of the problems that pepper was having, old age, low activity levels were leading to atrophy and wasting of the rear leg muscles. Pepper was also chronically underweight, tired with a dull affect and depressed mood. It maybe hard to say whether the reduced activity levels caused the other symptoms or the other symptoms caused the reduced activity levels. Something needed to be done if Pepper was going to have a better quality of life, than she had.
 Old age in pets’ brings with it many of the same difficulties that old age in
humans experience; such as, stiffness in muscles, tendons and ligaments, slower or poor circulation, pain from arthritis, back and disc problems and so on. Pepper was having acute episodes of pain sending muscle spasms from the cervical disc region down her spine. Her back was in chronic muscle spasm, which limited her mobility greatly.  Pepper developed congestive heart disease that was continuously flaring up which would put her into the Vet’s office for emergency visits. She was never able to manage any considerable length of time
Were she didn’t have some sort of crisis that lowered quality of life and kept her under constant veterinarian care.
 Peppers owner had read an article about a massage therapist featured in a business review newspaper. Angie the owner was skeptical but decided to find out more about this new form of treatment for pets. Pepper while receiving her first session was fidgety, unsure and very protective of her body especially with this stranger handling her. Pepper’s personality was one that she did not show any affection, enjoy being held, or participate in the household/family lifestyle. Pepper was rather aloof and isolative not interested in anything or any one.
 After a period of 2-3 weeks of appointments twice a week, appointments were opened up to once a week and then subsequently after the desired results were obtained she was placed into a maintenance program of an appointment every two weeks to keep her flexible, mobile and active. Pepper began too make responses to therapy after several sessions; she was becoming more alert along with her becoming much more active. Life for pepper appeared to be becoming than her owner could have imagined. Special changes were taking place with Pepper, she was allowing people to be affectionate to her, by excepting being held not only in the lap but also upside down like a baby, which before the therapy had started, Pepper would never had allowed herself to handled this way.
 Pepper’s health has become stable, her appetite is much stronger, and she can now become demanding when she wants to be fed. Vet visits before the massage therapy had begun were a constant at least every month, since the therapy started she has not needed to be seen by the vet. At 14 years of age the results were fabulous and Pepper has much more pep in her life, stay tune for more Pepper updates.

 Pet Massage Rehabilitation Services, Inc.’s president Michael Holloway is a licensed massage therapist in Florida and Nationally  Certified therapist also.  Michael Holloway conducts instructional seminars for the pet owner, lectures for groups and organizations, writes articles for magazines.  For a brochure or scheduling contact us at:
PET MASSAGE REHABILITATION SERVICES, INC.
540 NE 45th STREET    SUITE #11
BOCA RATON, FL 33431
OFFICE 561-393-4732, FAX 561-393-1765
E-MAIL-petmas2193@aol.com
www.petmassage-rehab.com