Acupressure is a simple technique that can be used effectively to reduce pain, calm an anxious dog, treat a variety of conditions, and improve the bond between animal and owner. It is easy to learn, and very well tolerated by pets – sometimes more so than massage or other techniques owners may use to treat pain in their pets.
Acupressure is an alternative method of stimulating the acupuncture points safely. Owners can use the technique daily to achieve a positive physiological response in their dog that will reduce inflammation and pain.
In addition, what makes it such a great offering to your clients is that the technique is easy to teach and learn!
The benefits of acupressure
The benefits of acupressure are far-reaching, and include:
- reducing pain in dogs with chronic pain or joint disease, or following an injury, or when recovering from high levels of activity;
- improving circulation and oxygenation of the muscles and tissues in the body that become tight or painful from compensation;
- reducing the amount of medication needed to maintain pain control in dogs with chronic pain. Combining acupressure with medical pain control can boost the effectiveness of both modalities, resulting in much better pain management and a subsequent reduced risk of side effects from medication;
- reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation in pets, providing a mental and physiological state that supports healing;
- strengthening the human–animal bond when it is performed by the owner. Teaching the technique empowers the owner to play an active role in managing their pet’s pain while engaging in an activity that both can enjoy.
Using acupressure as an adjunct therapy
Chronic pain management, such as for joint diseases like arthritis, is most effective when a multi-modal treatment or management approach is applied.
Acupressure forms an important part of that multi-modal treatment approach and is one of the techniques that can help us reduce the need for chronic pain medication. Additional adjunctive therapies can include:
- dietary support
- weight management
- exercise
- massage
- hydrotherapy
- PEMF
- laser therapy and
- home adaptations.
Acupressure combines well with all of these treatment approaches.
How to perform acupressure
Acupuncture or acupressure points are usually located in the depressions between muscles, or between tendons and ligaments. These points are areas where there are often increased nerve endings and blood vessels, making them areas of increased electrical conductivity.
To perform acupressure, use your thumb or your index finger. Apply pressure lightly at first and then continue to press more deeply.
You will know when to stop applying pressure, because the muscle or the animal begins to resist or becomes tense. When this happens, reduce the pressure slightly and hold for a further 5 to 10 seconds. This is called holding an acupoint.
As with massage, the best way to know how hard to press is to look and listen to your pet. If they are uncomfortable, they will move away, stare, pull their ears back or at worst try to snap if a point is very painful.
Teach your clients to use acupressure
Acupressure is incredibly simple to learn and to teach. If you would like to help your clients learn how to use this technique on their dogs, we have created a fully editable PDF that you can use for this purpose. You can change images, change the branding, add or remove text – all to suit you and your clients.
In the PDF, we give instructions on how to perform acupressure as well as illustrations demonstrating the acupoints that can be stimulated for arthritis, conditions of the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulders, elbows and carpus, hips, stifles and hocks. This could be a great offering to your clients!
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