Jeff Zitzkat

It's a known fact that most dogs take on the personality of
their owners. Just as our dogs learn by our body language and
actions, we can also learn from theirs. Ever notice how your dog
seems to know when you're sick?



As our dogs age, certain ailments, health problems, and dog
illnesses may manifest. A change in gait, activity, energy, or
appetite, are all signs of a potential underlying health issues.
Maybe you noticed she just seems stiff lately, has a harder time
with stairs, or takes longer to get up from bed.



Although orthopediec problems are often the cause of such
symptoms, muscular dysfunction may also be the culprit. In any
case, myotherapy can be helpful to prevent and resolve the pain
associated with a variety of dog illnesses and other health
issues.



Initially, a certified Myotherapist will apply gentle pressure
along your dog's muscle edges, finding and releasing trigger
points, or "knots" as they are also known. These knots can be
very painful to your dog, limit muscle range of motion, and
cause her to adjust her gait or body positions to compensate for
the pain. If left untreated, these compensations in posture made
by your dog can lead to additional issues.



By releasing these trigger points, and stretching each muscle
group through their full range of motion, the Myotherapist
stimulates endorphins and improves blood flow to the area. While
the endorphins act as a natural pain killer, the increased blood
flow helps to flush the muscles of lactic acid. The end result
is a dog in less pain with increased flexibility who of course,
is much happier.



Canine myotherapy is often used for issues such as poor gait,
stiffness, lameness, lethargy, roached back, poor flexibility,
limping, arthritis, cow hocks, Lyme disease stiffness, as well
as many other similar canine ailments.



The number of sessions and length of treatment will vary for
each individual dog and is based on the severity of its
condition. Your Myotherapist will make an analysis during your
initial visit. Once treatment begins, you may notice an increase
in the need for water, increased sleep, and increased
stretching. These reactions should resolve shortly and are a
result of your dog's body recovering and healing.



Most likely you will be sent home with an exercise program to
implement at regular intervals. This assures that the level of
muscular health achieved by the canine myotherapy sessions is
maintained.



If your dog shows symptoms of muscular dysfunction, or other
health issues, consider a visit to a Canine Myotherapist. You
will be rewarded with a more energetic, alert, and agile
companion.







Jeff Zitzkat, Copyright ©



Founder & Editor



href="http://www.all-about-great-danes.com">all-about-great-da
nes.com



Additional information on href="http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/dog-illnesses.html"> >dog illnesses affecting large breed dogs, including
those that may be treated with Canine Myotherapy, visit href="http://www.all-about-great-danes.com/">all-about-great-d
anes.com







About the author:


Jeff Zitzkat is a Great Dane owner and Founder of
all-about-Great-Danes.com



A life long Great Dane admirer, he has teamed up with a small
group of Dane passionate people to offer an all inclusive,
comprehensive, on line resource dedicated to the welfare of the
breed.



Topics include training, health, behavior, diet, nutrition,
puppies, breeders, rescue, news, and more. A growing selection
of breed related apparel and accessories, as well as a vi





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