Animals can be masters at hiding their pain, and suffer in silence. Oftentimes, the only way we can know our animal or pet is in pain are by the subtle changes that occur, such as:
- Less enthusiasm for walks and playing
- A reluctance to walk or move
- Laying down more often or more frequently
- Slight changes in how they carry their body and/or their posture
- Mobility issues
- Shaking or trembling
- Anti-social or aggressive behavior that is new for that animal
- Changes in eating, drinking and sleeping habits
- Signs of agitation or restlessness
- Crying out, yelping or growling
This list is not exhaustive, by any means. If you are unsure of whether your furry family member is in pain, it’s always a good idea to contact your veterinarian and get their feedback on whether they need to see him or her, or what they might recommend. If your veterinarian is aware of your pet’s pain, and your pet is cleared for bodywork, telling your professional animal acupressure, massage or other bodyworker practitioner about what is going on with your animal’s health can make them aware so they remain safe, but also so they can provide sessions tailored to helping your pet.
As a practitioner that uses both acupressure and Tellington TTouch, both of these modalities can help in cases of pain in the following ways:
- Help with depression and anxiety that pain could be causing
- Help with a sense of balance and self-confidence about the physical body which in turn helps with emotional balance and confidence
- Help with pain and mobility issues from pain, in addition to those with arthritis
- Help with recovery from surgery and help with pain management
- Help with the reduction of pain, swelling and inflammation
- Relieve muscle stiffness and spasms, which pain can exacerbate
- Balance the body’s energy to help the body’s natural ability to heal itself
- And at those most difficult moments, comfort your pet or animal near or at end of life
For those at home looking to alleviate and help the suffering their animal is in, there is an acupressure point called the Aspirin Point (BL 60). By very gently stroking over and then holding this point, no harder than you would press on your own eyelid, this point can help with pain anywhere in the body. You will know when your pet or animal has had enough when they move their leg away, get up and walk away, or shift positions making access to that point inaccessible. Holding the point bilaterally (on both sides) for 30-60 seconds can be enough to begin the process of pain relief in the body.
The key is a light touch, as this area can be very sensitive and painful.
Questions, concerns? Please feel free to reach out to me to see how your senior animal companion/s may benefit from one or both of these type of bodywork.
Dani Norlund, LAMP, SAAP 