This week we’re going to talk a bit about hind-end pain in animals, which can include cats, dogs, equine, etc. Hind-end pain can occur for a number of reasons that include, but are not limited to, arthritis, soft tissue injury/pain (what is sometimes called “Hidden or Silent Pain” by some veterinarians), spinal conditions that affect the hind-quarters of an animal, post-surgical pain in the hind-quarters, tightness of muscles and fascial tissue in the area, and more.
As your animal’s guardian you always want to be sure you check with your veterinarian first to be sure of what is occurring and any treatment he or she recommends. Alongside that treatment protocol there are two acupressure points you can also use to help ease pain and help your animal’s healing process. Keep in mind as you do any bodywork on your animal that you can be either touching your animal or slightly above the animal’s body (not touching) depending on their comfort and pain levels, as well as tolerance for touch at any given time. The electromagnetics in our hands/fingers can still do the intended work we are aiming for even when we are slightly above the surface of the animal.
Before you use any bodywork techniques it is good practice to make sure you are in a good place mentally and emotionally, possibly taking a few moments to meditate or just sit quietly and collect yourself and recenter. Placing your mind on your INTENTION to bring relief and healing to your pet (without attachment to a specific outcome). Once you have done this, you’ll want to gently massage your hands to relax them as we want to make sure when doing this work that we touch with a relaxed hand and fingers. Stiff hands and fingers don’t feel quite so nice and can tend to cause your animal to stiffen up as well. Once you have done this, rubbing your hands together like you would over a warm fire will active a key acupoint in the center of your own palm, which is beneficial to active before working on your pet (yourself or others).
Now that we are relaxed in body and mind here are the two acupoints you can experiment with and see how your animal responds. As you do these you’ll want to remain on the look out for the following responses that indicate your animal is relaxing and taking in the bodywork, as well as a few to heed in the event your animal doesn’t want to be disturbed or is done and has had all the work he or she can take at that time:
Indications your pet/animal is relaxing and taking the bodywork in (not exhaustive):
- Yawning
- Stretching
- Licking
- Sighs
- Laying down
- Sitting if standing, may then progress to laying down
- Licking of lips in a relaxed way
- A chewing motion with the mouth
- Heavy eyelids
- Softening of eyes (gaze)
- Full body shake
Indications your pet/animal doesn’t want to be disturbed or is done with the session for the time being:
- They become fidgety and annoyed at being touched any more
- They get up and relocate to a new spot
- You get a sense from your pet/animal that they don’t want to be touched or worked with any more (they will tell you when they’ve had enough for the time being)
As you work with your animal, know that tiny or subtle changes indicate a shift in your pet’s health and healing, and by continuing to regularly work on them, these subtle shifts and changes will become more noticeable and potentially last longer. It’s good to remember than any positive change is worth it for your pet’s wellbeing, pain levels, and quality of life, even if only a little bit each time.
Bai Hui with BL40
In addition to these two acupressure points, Tellington TTouch is another great way to help with hind-end pain in animals that has been proving very effective and helpful as I have introduced this work into my animal practice recently. I will be writing future articles on this work, but if you are interested in more information please visit my Modalities page for a bit more information on what the Tellington Method/TTouch is and its approach. And of course please reach out with any questions or inquiries that arise through my Contact Me page or 503.858.3292 via call or text.
Dani Norlund, LAMP, SAAP 