https://www.facebook.com/243509067581511/

Chilterns Clinical Canine Massage, Nettlebed (2026)

02/06/2026

Week 23. All about sleep.

At the recent - Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance conference I attended many interesting lectures but the one that really stood out to me was about sleep and how not getting enough sleep can influence the pain that our arthritic dogs experience.

For dogs living with osteoarthritis, sleep is far more than simple rest. It is an essential part of their health and comfort. Just as people feel better after a good night's sleep, dogs rely on quality sleep to help their bodies recover, manage pain, and support healthy brain function too.

When a dog sleeps, the body shifts into repair mode. Muscles relax, tissues recover from the stresses of the day, and the nervous system gets a chance to reset. For dogs with osteoarthritis, this recovery period is especially important because chronic joint inflammation and pain can be physically and mentally exhausting.

Sleep also plays a vital role in maintaining brain health through a process known as the Glymphatic Washout. This is a fascinating process and one that I had no idea happened until attending the conference. Yes, I knew that sleep was important but how it happened!

The Glymphatic Washout occurs during deep sleep. Fluid flows through the brain and helps wash away waste products such as unwanted proteins and neurotoxins that accumulate during waking hours. A useful way to think about this process is to imagine the brain as a washing machine. During deep sleep, the glymphatic system starts its "rinse cycle," flushing away these unwanted substances and leaving the brain refreshed and ready for the next day. Without enough quality deep sleep, this important cleaning process becomes less effective which leads to heightened pain levels the following day. If a dog can get a good nights sleep he is able to cope with his arthritic pain much better the following day.

Good bedding can make a significant difference to both sleep quality and pain management in dogs with osteoarthritis. Supportive, orthopaedic bedding helps distribute body weight more evenly, reducing pressure on sore joints such as the hips, elbows, and knees. It can also help maintain body warmth, which may ease stiffness and improve comfort. Whilst fluffy, squashy doughnut type beds may look nice they can actually be quite detrimental do a dog with osteoarthritis as they can be difficult to get into and out of and do not support or cushion the joints. When a dog is comfortable, they are less likely to wake repeatedly because of pain, allowing them to spend more time in the deeper stages of sleep where physical recovery and glymphatic "washout" occur.

Providing a quiet sleeping area and a supportive bed is therefore more than a comfort measure—it is an investment in your dog's overall wellbeing. By helping an arthritic dog achieve restful, uninterrupted sleep, you support pain management, physical recovery, and the brain's natural overnight cleaning process, all of which contribute to a better quality of life.

If you want to know more about sleep and how it impacts dogs it is worth following Dr. Lauren Davis from VetRelieve . Known as The Sleep Vet, she knows everything about sleep that you could possibly want to know and also has a range of beds specifically designed for support and care of osteoarthritic dogs.

27/05/2026

Week 22....Hot weather and osteoarthritis.

🌞 Given the heat wave that we are currently experiencing I thought I would write about how it may impact dogs with osteoarthritis.

🌞 For some dogs (and humans) with osteoarthritis hot weather can be particularly troublesome. When the temperature rises the body has to work harder to try and cool down. This results in changes to the circulation, hydration levels and how muscles and joints function. Fluid retention often occurs in hot weather (have you noticed how your fingers become puffy?) and this can impact how the joints move.

🌞 Hot weather can also exacerbate inflammation within the joints which results in further stiffness and swelling. Many dogs with osteoarthritis become less active in the summer because moving around becomes more painful to do. On top of that they can become fatigued much more quickly...mainly because dogs with painful joints can often use more energy to walk, stand, go up the stairs etc....as well as trying to keep cool.

🏖 Another way that the hot weather can impact dogs with osteoarthritis is when we go to the beach. Walking over pebbles or through sand can be really challenging to a dog's balance and this can result in injury, flare-ups and further fatigue.

🌞 How can we help our dogs in this hot weather?

🌞 Go out for a really gentle, slow walk early in the morning or late in the evening....Before 7 and after 9 if you can.

🌞 Try and keep them cool if you can....use fans, a cool mat or cool coat.

🌞 Try and keep them hydrated...encourage them to drink frequently.

🌞 If a joint seems particularly painful, warm, swollen then applying an ice pack can help reduce any inflammation.....if you are concerned then seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.

🌞 If you are visiting the beach be really mindful of the surface that they are walking on. Try and avoid pebbles and dry / soft / deep sand. Instead try and walk on wet, more compact sand.

As always, any questions please ask.

Pictures of Sorrel on a recent trip to the beach.....its the only time I allow her to really run for a ball....and look how deep her paw print is.....which help show why walking on sand can be difficult

20/05/2026

Week 21.....Education

A liitle late in posting this week and that is because I'm currently at the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance conference. This is the fourth year that the conference has been held and what I particularly like about it is that it is truly collaborative in that it isn't just for veterinary surgeons and nurses, it is for the whole team involved in OA patient care, from physiotherapists, to hydrotherapists and of course massage therapists. It's two days where everyone can get together to share ideas and discuss anything OA related. There is a fantastic lecture stream and over the coming weeks I hope to share some of the information with you so that you can help your arthritis dogs.
Today we had a really interesting lecture on how the microbiome impacts OA...very thought provoking and tomorrow I'm particularly looking forward to a lecture by ....sleep is so important for a dog"s wellbeing.

16/05/2026

Just look at those dreamy eyes 🥰

This is the gorgeous Bacchus, a 13yr 3m wire haired vizsla trying very hard not to fall asleep after his maintenance Massage. Bacchus has generalised osteoarthritis, with particularly stiff hips and has also recently had a bout of pneumonia. We are using clinical canine massage to aid his mobility and I have also been able to release his diaphragm which should hopefully help his lungs.

Bacchus is such a treasure to treat....it takes him a few moments to decide which (of his many) beds he is going to settle on but once he decides he is brilliant.

Photos with kind permission of Bacchus's owner.

12/05/2026

Week 20 - Lumbosacral disease.

Whilst lumbosacral disease is not strictly speaking osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis is always seen with lumbosacral disease - hence the reason for including it in my weekly posts on osteoarthritis.

Lumbosacral disease is a common condition affecting the lumbosacral junction - where the last lumbar vertebrae meets the sacrum. This is an area responsible for transferring power from the spine to the hindlimbs and hindlimbs to the spine. Its a "hinge" point and so an area where a lot of wear and tear occurs.

Lumbosacral disease is typically degenerative and often involves arthritic changes to the vertebrae, intervertebral disc degeneration and narrowing of the spaces where nerves exit the spinal canal. Over time, these changes can create pressure on the nerve roots, causing pain, inflammation, reduced mobility and neurological changes such as sciatic pain and scuffing paws. As the degeneration of this area progresses so does the osteoarthritic changes.

Signs noted include:

> A change in posture
> Reduced flexibility of the lower spine
> Stiff hind limbs
> Hindlimb weakness
> Sensitivity when the lower back or tail base is touched
> Altered tail carriage
> Changes in gait pattern
> Trembling of the hind limb/s
> Muscle wastage to the hindlimbs
> A reluctance to jump into the car / go upstairs
> Difficulty in rising from lying down
> Reduced willingness to exercise

What I might find:

> High tone to the surrounding musculature
> Trigger points in the lumbar back muscles
> Myofascial pain in the lumbar back muscles and thoracic muscles
> Areas of overcompensation in the forelimbs.

How Massage Can Help

Clinical canine massage can play a valuable supportive role in managing dogs with lumbosacral disease. It helps to address the various concerns mentioned above allowing dogs to lead a more comfortable life and improving function and mobility. Dogs often become more comfortable, relaxed, and willing to move after appropriate treatment.

Permission to use the x-ray in the picture below was given by the owner - thank you!

10/05/2026

All too often I hear the words that Clinical Canine Massage is a "Luxury spa treatment" or a "Pooch pampering session" and so I thought I would write a short article on why this couldn't be further from the truth!

In reality, Clinical Canine Massage is nothing like a Spa treatment. It is a highly skilled, evidence-based manual therapy that combines a range of advanced techniques, including Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, the Lenton Method and both direct and indirect myofascial release.

Each technique serves a specific therapeutic purpose. Swedish massage helps to improve circulation and support relaxation of the nervous system. Sports massage assists in maintaining muscle health, reducing tension, and supporting performance in active or working dogs to rehabilitate soft tissue injuries. Deep tissue techniques target specific chronic muscular tightness and adhesions, while myofascial release works to restore mobility within the fascia — a highly innervated connective tissue network that surrounds and supports muscles and other tissues throughout the body.

The effects of clinical canine massage can be profound. By addressing muscular dysfunction, compensatory patterns, and soft tissue restriction, treatment can help reduce pain, improve mobility, increase comfort, and support recovery from injury or orthopaedic conditions. It can also enhance proprioception, improve posture and gait, and in some cases help identify underlying issues requiring veterinary attention.

For many canine patients, the impact of Clinical Canine Massage extends beyond physical improvement. Reduced pain and discomfort often leads to positive behavioural changes, improved confidence, better quality of life, and a renewed ability to enjoy normal daily activities whether that be playing with toys again or managing the stairs in the house.

Whilst many of my canine clients do relax and fall asleep during a treatment, Clinical Canine Massage really is not about pampering. It is a targeted therapeutic intervention that plays an important role in supporting canine health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation.

05/05/2026

Week 19 - All about protective muscle splinting.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and reduced mobility in dogs, particularly as they age. While the joint degeneration itself is often the focus of treatment, an important secondary effect is protective muscle splinting—a muscular response that can significantly worsen discomfort and restrict movement of an arthritic dog.

What is Protective Muscle Splinting?

Protective muscle splinting is the body’s natural defense mechanism against pain or instability. When a joint becomes painful, inflamed, or unstable the muscles that surround and cross over the joint contract and remain partially tightened to “guard” and protect the area.

This sustained muscular tension acts like an internal brace. The purpose of protective muscle splinting is to limit excess movement of the affected joint and reduce the risk of further pain or injury.

In dogs, this may occur around commonly affected osteoarthritic joints such as the:

Hips
Stifles (knees)
Elbows
Shoulders
Spine

Protective muscular splinting occurs for several reasons:

1. Pain avoidance - subconsciously the dog restricts movement to avoid painful joint motion.

2. Joint stabilisation - the muscles compensate for the joint instability caused by degeneration.

3. Neurological guarding response - pain receptors signal the spinal cord and brain, triggering reflexive muscle contraction.

4. Compensatory movement patterns - dogs often shift weight away from painful limbs, overloading other muscles and causing further tension elsewhere in the body.

For example, a dog with hip osteoarthritis may develop protective tension not only in the gluteal muscles but also in the lower back, opposite hind limb, and shoulders as they redistribute their weight.

Why is Protective Muscle Splinting a Problem?

Although splinting begins as a protective response, chronic muscle splinting often becomes counterproductive and can create a cycle of pain and dysfunction.

This can lead to:

Reduced flexibility and range of motion
Muscle fatigue and soreness
Restricted circulation
Development of trigger points
Increased joint compression
Altered gait and posture
Greater overall discomfort

Over time, the dog may become less active, leading to further muscle weakness and worsening osteoarthritis symptoms.

How Can Clinical Canine Massage Help?

Clinical canine massage can play an important supportive role in managing protective muscle splinting associated with osteoarthritis.

By working directly with the soft tissues, massage helps interrupt the pain–tension cycle.

1. Reduces Muscle Tension

Massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, and myofascial release help soften chronically contracted muscles and encourage relaxation.

This reduces guarding around affected joints.

2. Improves Circulation

Increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to tense tissues while helping remove metabolic waste products that contribute to soreness.

Improved circulation can also support tissue healing.

3. Restores Mobility

As muscle tension decreases, surrounding joints are often able to move more freely.

Facilitated stretching techniques can help to restore mobility which can improve stride length, ease stiffness, and support more natural movement patterns.

4. Helps Reduce Pain

Massage stimulates sensory receptors that can help modulate pain signals through the nervous system.

When discomfort decreases, the nervous system is less likely to maintain the guarding response.

5. Addresses Compensation Patterns

A skilled clinical canine massage therapist assesses the whole body, not just the arthritic joint. This allows treatment of secondary tension patterns that develop due to altered posture and gait.

Week 19 is quite a long one - I hope that you have fount it useful and can see why protective muscle splinting is both a help and a hinderance.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to get in contact.

29/04/2026

Week 18 - Walking upstairs

Last week I talked about how walking downstairs was troublesome for a dog with osteoarthritis....particularly to the forelimb joints.

This week I am discussing why walking upstairs can be equally troubling.

When a dog climbs the stairs, it has to flex and extend its joints repeatedly whilst also pushing its body weight upwards, against gravity. This movement requires strength, flexibility and coordination.

For a dog with osteoarthritis, these movements can be incredibly painful to do and are also physically demanding....more so than going downstairs.

For dogs with osteoarthritis of the hips and knees going upstairs can be particularly painful as these joints have to extend more than they would normally have to do.

Recognising the challenges that stairs can bring to dogs troubled with osteoarthritis is the first step in helping them to live a more comfortable life.

22/04/2026

I love living in the Chilterns and at this time of year with all of the bluebells, it is quite possibly my favourite season. In fact, one of the reasons why I chose the lime green to go in my logo is because of the beech trees at this time of year💚

Many of my followers know that sadly, Sorrel has a tumour around her spinal cord. She is on steroids and is doing brilliantly....in fact you would hardly know....because of this our walks at the moment are extra special🥰

I would love to see some pics of your dogs in the bluebells so please share here.

Sarah and Sorrel x

20/04/2026

Week 17. Walking down stairs.

Going down stairs can be surprisingly difficult - and painful - for dogs living with osteoarthritis.

Many dog owners start to notice that their dog may be slowing down or that they hesitate before a staircase. The underlying reasons for this are rooted in how osteoarthritis affects the joints and their movement.

Descending stairs places unique physical demands on a dog's body. Unlike going upstairs, which relies more on the pushing power of the hind legs, going down requires a controlled lowering of the body's weight. This means that the joints of the forelimbs - the wrist, elbow and shoulders - absorb a significant amount of impact, while the hind legs must stabilise and balance. For a dog with osteoarthritis these actions can be uncomfortable or even painful to do.

Another factor to consider is joint range of motion. Osteoarthritis often limits how far a joint can flex or extend. When navigating the stairs dogs often have to flex and extend all of the joints more than normal and this can result in further pain and discomfort. If flexing and extending joints if difficult for the dog to do each step becomes awkward and uncertain for the dog. This leads to hesitation, slower movements, or a refusal to go down them altogether.

Pain and discomfort also affect the dogs confidence. Dogs very quickly learn to associate certain movements with discomfort. If going downstairs has caused pain in the past, they may become anxious or cautious, further complicating the task.

In an ideal world if a dog has osteoarthritis its good to try and prevent them using steps and stairs altogether. However, we are not in an ideal world and for some dogs, missing out on going up to bed with an owner at night actually causes more stress and anxiety for the dog. If we can help manage dogs and stairs we can help to manage the condition.

Make sure that stairs have an anti slip surface, using a ramp for small stairs in the garden, installing a baby gate at the top and bottom, and even carrying small dogs, are all things that can be done to help them manage stairs.

Chilterns Clinical Canine Massage

02/06/2026

27/05/2026

20/05/2026

16/05/2026

12/05/2026

10/05/2026

05/05/2026

29/04/2026

22/04/2026

20/04/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category