Canine joint pathologies like arthritis are incredibly common, and can lead to a life of daily pain for our dogs. This, in turn, leads to changes in movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and further joint pain.
Luckily, there is a great deal that we can do for our dogs using completely natural methods.
Understanding Compensation
When a pet lives with a muscle or joint condition, there is almost always some degree of pain. In order to protect the painful area, the animal limps or alters the way they move. We call this altered style of movement ‘compensation’.
As a result of continual compensation, pets end up with muscle imbalances, with some muscles being overused and others underused. The overused muscles are usually those that are tight and in spasm and the underused muscles are those that start to waste away.
Muscle imbalances result in:
- tight, overused muscles: These muscles cause pain, can impinge on structures below them such as nerves, and can also pull bones out of alignment.
- flabby, underused muscles: These are the muscles that should be helping the ligaments with joint support. Most people think the function of muscles is simply to help with movement, but in fact muscles also play a very important role in maintaining joint stability. Without the support of the underused muscles, your pet’s joints will become more and more unstable, and this will result in more and more pain.
One major problem is that these altered movement patterns often become ingrained in your pet’s motor cortex, or brain, to become your pet’s new normal and habitual movement pattern. That is why your pet’s muscles continue to waste away even though you take your pet for a walk every day. It is also why, as a pet’s condition worsens, it needs more and more pain control.
The problem with anti-inflammatory pain control
Giving your pet painkillers and anti-inflammatories will certainly make them more comfortable, but it will not stop the compensation and altered movement patterns. Your pet will continue to have muscle imbalances which will result in:
- more joint instability;
- more pain from joints being pulled out of alignment;
- more pain from the overused, spasming muscles;
- worsening of your pet’s arthritis; and
- the need for more anti-inflammatories.
Clinical research in humans has proven that muscle weakness results in an increase in the progression of arthritis. The weaker the muscles, the worse the arthritis.
You can give your pet bottles and bottles of supplements and pills but the only way you are going to slow down your pet’s arthritis is to strengthen the muscles that offer joint support.
Remember that anti-inflammatories and painkillers also have long-term side effects, such as gastric ulceration and kidney and liver damage. Don’t give these medications unnecessarily as they will decrease your pet’s life span.
A two-pronged treatment strategy
When managing a pet with a joint disorder, we have two main goals in mind:
- Control pain, as naturally as possible.
- Strengthen the dog’s core muscles and joint stabilisers.
Controlling pain naturally.
Here are my top tips for controlling pain naturally.
Acupuncture and acupressure
By placing fine needles into specific points, we can stimulate the body to release the body’s natural pain relievers and healers called endorphins and serotonins.
Most dogs tolerate the needles very well and will often plop down and go to sleep during the process.
You may not be able to do acupuncture, but you can do acupressure. It involves simply stimulating the acupuncture points on the body with your fingers. If done regularly, acupressure causes the same series of events in the body as acupuncture, enabling the body to self-heal and reduce pain.
Acupuncture or acupressure points are usually located in the depressions between muscles, or between tendons and ligaments. These points are where we find increased nerve endings and blood vessels, making them areas of increased electrical conductivity.
Using the fingertips, locate an acupuncture point on one of the meridians and exert a firm, even pressure for a few seconds, before moving on to the next point.
Both acupressure and acupuncture can have the same effects on the body:
- Releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
- Blocks pain pathways back to the brain.
Massage
Muscles that are tight and in a constant state of contraction will have a decreased blood flow, and therefore decreased oxygenation resulting in the build-up of metabolic wastes and toxins in your pet’s body. Blood flows into muscles when they relax. By massaging the animal, we can relax those tight, spasming muscles and increase the blood flow. With this new oxygen supply, the muscle is able to function optimally and you will see improvements in your pet’s pain, comfort, and mobility very quickly. Left untreated, muscles cannot continue contracting while working, so they eventually fatigue and are unable to function optimally. Massage is the way to prevent this from happening.
All pet owners can do a basic massage on their pets, and I see a big improvement in comfort and mobility when owners massage their pets daily. As well as easing your pet’s discomfort, massage is also great for the human–animal bond.
Magnetic therapy
Magnetic therapy makes use of pulsed magnetic energy to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow, thus increasing oxygenation and the elimination of toxins. It also restores the correct pH to the blood cells and tissues of the body.
The reaction of the body to any injury, pain or illness is swelling and inflammation. This inflammation produces a low-oxygen, acidic environment, resulting in tense, spasming muscles. Magnetic therapy counteracts this effect, dilating blood vessels, oxygenating tissues and restoring correct pH.
The process involves the use of a mat called a PEMF mat, or a PEMF loop. The animal simply relaxes on the mat, while magnetic energy is absorbed into its blood owing to the iron content in haemoglobin. This magnetic energy travels through the bloodstream, with beneficial results on the blood vessels and pH levels throughout the body.
Supplements and remedies
There are many supplements that can benefit arthritic pets and to be honest I can completely understand why a pet owner would be overwhelmed by the huge array of products and ingredients. Remember that any supplement is only a part of the management of arthritis. There is no single wonder product that is going to ‘cure’ your pet, even though some may make these claims.
We also often see different results in different dogs using the same products, so I would suggest you try a few out and see which ones work for you and your pet. Remember that you will not see an instant improvement in your pet’s mobility; it can take up to a month for the effects of a supplement to become visible.
These are the ingredients I like and that I have seen to be beneficial:
- Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
- Chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine
- Green-lipped mussel extract
- Turmeric
Strengthening your dog
Exercise has multiple benefits for your dog, including:
- providing pain relief;
- improving body awareness;
- improving the stability of joints;
- strengthening the body; and
- reducing the risk of injury and slowing the progression of joint disease.
Strengthening programmes need to be developed for individual patients. It is important that you consult with your nearest veterinary rehabilitation therapist to develop a tailor-made strengthening programme for you and your dog that will optimally complement the pain management plan you have in place.
Your Vetrehabber can Help!
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the different treatment courses ahead of you, or you are uncertain about the best way to help your dog, your local veterinary rehabilitation therapist can help.
Here are some of the ways your veterinary rehabilitation therapist can assist you today:
- providing you with education and information on different joint conditions and how they affect your dog;
- helping you to understand the different treatment options available to you;
- teaching you how to perform acupressure and massage;
- assisting with dietary changes that can benefit your dog;
- recommending the best supplements and remedies available in your area;
- developing a tailor-made strengthening and pain management programme for you and your dog;
- … and more!
Client educational resources for Vetrehabbers
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We have created a series of digital products that you can fully rebrand and edit to make your own. One of our best-sellers is The Natural Guide to Managing Joint Pain in Pets.
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