Does your horse tend to be "girthy" when saddled? Short-striding on one or more legs? Unexplained lameness? Ear-pinning under saddle? Having a hard time with one lead or another? Not able to bend one direction very well? Tripping/stumbling? Is your dog suffering from arthritis, stiffness and pain? Do you have a puppy whose gait is a bit off due to rapid growth spurts? All these symptoms and more c
an be present in a horse or dog who could benefit from a hands-on sports massage. My job as an equine and canine sports massage therapist is to warm up each muscle group, palpate to find lesions, fibrosis, restrictions and reactive areas within both the superficial and deep muscles, treat those areas, and then "close" off that same muscle group. The bodywork is very effective at lowering inflammation, facilitating the healing process in the case of injury to the muscles, and improving performance. I studied and was certified at Equissage in Round Hill, VA in 2003 and am a lifetime member of the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists. I am also certified in Equine Myofascial Release Therapy and am a certified reiki master. I regularly attend continuing education courses, as there is always something new to learn, as more and more research is being done on equine and canine musculoskeletal systems! All animals (people, pigs, cats, sheep-and more- included!) WILL benefit in some way from massage. Most horses and dogs benefit in very visible ways--an increase in stride length, more relaxed movement, happier in their work/play, ability to bend and perform better, lengthened connective tissue, etc. Equine and canine sports massage is an excellent adjunct to regular veterinary and chiropractic care and is highly recommended to expedite injury recovery time, prevent atrophy in muscles of stall-bound horses or dogs needing to be contained in recovery, improve performance and prevent future injuries. Be sure to contact me if you have any questions and I'd be happy to discuss your specific situation with you and/or your veterinarian and chiropractor. Thanks for visiting my page! Happy trails!
Amy Smithmier Crawford, ESMT, CCMT, is a certified equine & canine sports massage therapist serving the greater Kansas City and surrounding areas. Cold-backed?
