01/19/2022
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Last week we looked at the benefits of massage on skeletal muscles. Today’s topic is on smooth muscles, especially the digestive track.
Smooth describes the microscopic appearance of the muscles. They are involuntary and act slowly compared to other muscle types. Smooth muscles are found in the walls of hallow organs, including: blood vessels, esophagus, stomach, intestines, bladder, uterus, lymph vessels, respiratory track, ciliary muscle of the eye, and the arrector pili (muscle in the skin that causes hair to stand on end).
Massage works on the parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” system. This causes an increase in peristaltic activity- that’s those gut noises the vet is listening for during a colic exam. Peristalsis is the involuntary, slow contraction of the smooth muscles in the digestive track that moves digesta through the GI track.
While impaction colic is not as easily helped, bodywork can help relieve the pain of gas colic- IF the horse isn’t trying to lay down or is in too much pain AND the vet has given the okay. Two stress points near the tail often cause the horse to release gas in a non-colic horse. During a mild, early gas colic, working on these areas can help the horse pass gas and relieve some of the pain of the gas colic. There are also small movements along the digestive track that can help simulate the parasympathetic nervous system of those muscles, with the goal relieving pressure and pain. Severe colic is a contraindication for massage, always consult the vet before doing bodywork on a colicing horse.
It can help the horse and it gives the owner something to do while the vet is on the way. During your next appointment, ask where these points are on your horse!
