16/02/2022
If your horse is body sore, if it has sore muscles and knots, it needs a massage.
Have your vet out to examine it, have the chiropractor out, do pemf, red light, theraplate, micro-current, KT tape; your horse will still also need a massage to work out its tight, sore muscles. All those other therapies are valid and have their own benefits to contribute but none of them do what can massage do.
Up to 50 percent of your horse's body weight is made up of muscle alone. How the horse moves and uses itself, nerves, pain receptors, proprioception sensors, fascia, blood flow, how their joints function, how the horse contacts the ground, lymph movement, ease of movement, all depend on how well your horse’s muscles are functioning.
Massage is the only one of these therapies that physically manipulates the muscles, fascia and skin to ease tight, sore muscles lengthen and supple myofascia, free painful nerves, improve circulation, increase range of motion and bring balance and biotensegrity back to the body.
Here’s an example; A chiropractor may help align the joints but only hands on massage can loosen and supple the muscles and fascia that are pulling those joints out of alignment.
While many of the therapies above offer 1 or 2 of the benefits listed below and it’s always a good idea to ask your vet out to do an examination, only massage is able to deliver on them all.
Here’s a list of things you may not know about massage;
An equine massage therapist uses their hands to manipulate the soft tissues to work out tension, knots, kinks and adhesions. Massage manually opens myofascial tissue, softening, stretching, balancing tension, improving range of motion and freedom of movement of muscle, fascia, joints and skin.
Many veterinarians have begun to incorporate massage therapy into their recovery protocols as an effective way to aid in recovery and pain regulation for both acute and chronic issues.
Pain and tension interfere with the body’s ability to recover and will extend recovery time. Reducing pain and improving comfort will help your patient recover more easily.
Equine Massage therapists are specially trained to work on soft tissues to improve circulation, lymph drainage, and release endorphins to reduce discomfort and pain.
Massage physically pumps and presses circulation into congested areas, opening them to better nourishment, oxygenation and hydration all of which optimize healing and healthy muscle development.
Massage increases the production of mitochondria, the organelles of cells responsible for powering the production of ATP in cellular metabolism. More mitochondria lead to more ATP, which means increased energy to heal. Massage also increases levels of white blood cells which attack viruses and bacteria.
Massage releases endorphins which act as a natural analgesic helping to relieve headaches, myofascial pain, muscle soreness, TMJ, and other discomforts and a lasting sense of well-being.
A full-body massage can improve digestion by increasing the release of enzymes essential for healthy digestion and stimulating the motion of the intestine, and its contents, to move along.
Pressure receptors stimulated by gentle touch signal the vagus nerve to calm the nervous system. Regular massage can retrain the body to move more readily into the parasympathetic state, the state in which the body is able to relax, digest and repair. This can be especially helpful for high strung, spooky or recovering horses.
Massage increases the production of cytokines, chemical messengers that work for the immune system to regulate things like fever, pain, and inflammation.
Massage physically stimulates weak and inactive muscles to bring them back into action and help your horse recover from exercise faster while building stronger, more supple muscles.
Massage techniques with different frequencies, amplitudes and intensities stimulate the mechanoreceptors reducing stumbling and improving athleticism by improving proprioception, the awareness of position and movement in the body.
Leaving massage out of your regular care and exercise routine leaves a huge hole and a missed opportunity.
Massage therapy is a unique way to improve your horse’s performance, health and well-being.
