14/07/2019
There are several general benefits of massage, which come about by the various techniques. Overall, massage loosens tight muscles and stretches connective tissue, relieves muscle cramps and spasms and decreases muscle fatigue, loosens joints and improves the range of motion, increases muscles strength, calms the nervous system, stimulates circulation, firms up muscle and skin tone, speeds up healing from injury and illness, and improves lymphatic drainage. The mental benefits include relaxation, improvement in length and quality of sleep, the relief of stress, anxiety, depression and irritation, an increased ability to concentrate and an improved sense of well-being! Wow that’s a lot!!!!
Techniques:
Effleurage - all massage sessions should start and end with effleurage. This warms up muscles, enhances drainage and relaxes the horse. Effleurage also initiates a natural op**te release providing some pain relief.
Petrissage - once the horse is relaxed and the muscles are warmed up deeper tissue work can commence. This technique constricts and then releases the blood vessels supplying the tissue in question, washing the area with fresh arterial blood. Benefits include increasing circulation leading to increased supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle, softening the superficial fascia, decreasing muscle tension and restoring mobility by decreasing adhesions. It also promotes the flow of tissue fluids, reducing swelling and resolving inflammation.
Tatpotment - tapotment is used to stimulate tissue. It causes muscles contraction followed by relaxation and is a very useful technique to maintain muscle tone.
Friction - the aim of friction is to irritate the target tissue to initiate a healing response. Technique is used to break down adhesions and scar tissue, to mobilise adhered tissue interfaces and to stimulate repair to chronic recurring injury.
Passive stretches - massage therapist will move the joint through the normal range of motion without the active contribution of muscle contraction from the patient. Aimed at maintaining or restoring normal range of motion together with helping muscle flexibility, allowing good joint mobility. This produces stretching of joint capsules, ligaments, muscles, skin and connective tissue.
If you would like to learn more about massage or to book an appointment for your horse please message me or send an email and I will come back to you.
