Massage? Yep!

[ShepherdGirl_A Dog Story]

Hey Shepherd Girl fans:

Quick update on a super experience I had with, yes, canine massage. Athena is young in spirit and attitude, but her body is starting to show her almost-10 years in small ways. One way is in her back (arthritic spine). Willing to try anything, I enlisted the help of Miss Holli, owner of Pony and Pooch (great name, right!?) who gave Athena an in-home massage. Athena seemed to like it so much, I've decided to incorporate massage into her golden years. Between the massage and Nupro joint powder I add to her food, she is as giddy and bouncy as a teenager.

Miss Holli even showed me a pressure point that releases the body's "natural aspirin"--on the hind leg, between heel and haunch, squeeze your fingers along it like you're imitating nibbling an ear of corn. Cool, huh.

All my best,

Cat

[von Bolen]

Can you show on a diagram where exactly that spot is?

[ShepherdGirl_A Dog Story]

I hope this works...

On the attached diagram, the area where you squeeze/massage up and down is between the hock (some people refer to it as the "knee" or "elbow") and the top of the back of the thigh. The easiest way is when the dog is fully on his/her side. Starting just above the hock, knead the back of the thigh going up towards the top of the thigh and then back down.

[Magwart]

A picture of you doing it on your dog would actually be fantastic, so that we can imitate your hand placement, etc.

[ShepherdGirl_A Dog Story]

Although I agree that on principle a photograph demonstrating the "natural aspirin" massage technique on Athena is a great idea, unfortunately, she would be a difficult photography candidate due to her voluminous britches (or as I refer to them, pants). She is a long-coated GSD, and my hand sinks into her fur so deeply that me rubbing her leg would just look like a bushy carpet that has a mouse living in it.

They may have a better, clearer demo on Youtube somewhere.

Good luck!

[Jax08]

If you look up acupressure points, you will find the spots. I had an inhome massage done for Jax to make sure I was rehabbing her acl correctly and she showed me a ton of acupressure points.

http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com/b...rbs-nutrition/
It's point UB60


And here is a good site with explanations of acupressure points
http://www.luckydoghealth.com/dogacupressurechart.htm

[ShepherdGirl_A Dog Story]

Originally Posted by Jax08

If you look up acupressure points, you will find the spots. I had an inhome massage done for Jax to make sure I was rehabbing her acl correctly and she showed me a ton of acupressure points.

Four Paws Acupuncture Canine Herbs & Nutrition
It's point UB60


And here is a good site with explanations of acupressure points
Dog Acupressure (not Acupuncture) Resources - Lucky Dog Health

I knew one of the many brilliant GSD members would be able to answer! Thanks Michelle

[Jax08]

No problem! I just learned it a couple weeks ago myself! Really want to learn more and I'm tempted to take the at home course that the MT told me she took. Of course, she went much further and apprenticed with someone after but said it would be sufficient for someone that just wants to do their own animals.

[jakee83]

nice information about the style of german shepherd with digrame
which say that the germen shepherd play a vital roll in photo sassion
competition. My dog shagii win the photo sassion competition in my new york
in 2009.
I want to upload that snaps know in coming..........