ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE

canine & equine acupressure * bionetic body scan * muscle testing * energy healing & massage * Traditional Chinese Medicine food energetics * intuitive animal communication * aromatherapy & flower essences * customized homeopathics
Introduction

WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE?
Acupressure is a form of massage using deep pressure on specific acupressure points along a system of 12 meridians (or energy highways) that run through the body. It uses the same pressure points that are used in the ancient healing art of acupuncture, but without the use of needles. Both healing modalities are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the five-element theory.

MAINTAINING HEALTH
If you were given the opportunity to step back (or forward) in time and prevent of your beloved pet's cancer, asthma, diabetes, heart attack, kidney stones... would you?

Many times, illness begins as an energy blockage along one or more of the meridians. Since all systems are interrelated, a blockage in one meridian - the Heart meridian, for instance, can put strain on the corresponding Spleen and Small Intestine meridians. Left unchecked, the imbalance of energies can cause weakness and deterioration of organs and systems, thus setting the stage for degenerative disease. However, once a healthy flow of energy returns to the effected meridian and/or organ, the symptoms disappear and health and balance are restored.

Each animal (and person) has a dominant element or combination of elements. Once a dominant element is identified, it's easier to find the foods, environment and supplements best-suited for the animal's natural tendencies.

Ancient Chinese 5-Element Theory
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are five elements that govern all natural energetic cycles. For instance, wood feeds fire, which creates earth, which in turn creates metal, and so forth.

An understanding of the relationships between the elements and their corresponding organs can help us maintain balance.
CIRCADIAN CLOCK
Have you noticed patterns in your animal's behavior that correspond to certain hours of the day.? Does your dog regularly wake up to go outside between 1 - 3 am? Does your cat go "crazy" and run all over the house every night at 7 pm?

TCM looks to the Circadian or Body Clock and uses these patterns to detect organ system imbalances and are important clues in understanding your animal's health.
MASSAGE FOR MY DOG?
YES - Massage for your dog and/or your horse! Massage is an integral part of any holistic health care program. It's far more than simply pampering your pet.

Benefits of Massage:

  • Improves circulation & lymph flow
  • Reduces stress
  • Relieves pain
  • Improves immune system function
  • Helps detect illness or imbalances at early stages
  • Clears stagnant energy & balances meridians to maintain health
  • Increases vitality & reduces arthritic stiffness in geriatric animals
  • Pre-& post-event massage to prevent soreness & injury
  • It feels great and makes your animals know they're loved and cared for!

A non-invasive healing modality, massage should be utilized as a
complementary therapy and never as a substitute for proper veterinary care.
Contraindications
There are certain instances when massage may NOT be appropriate, including the following:
when a fever is present over open wounds with certain skin conditions
on recent fractures for certain cancerous conditions post-operative without veterinarian approval

Most importantly, massage should never be used as a substitute for proper veterinarian care.
PROCEDURE

Initial Animal Assessment - In order to introduce my services to a new area, I often set up a booth at festivals or at veterinarians' offices where I offer an introduction to my services. At these events, I only charge $10 for an initial assessment. During this 10-minute session, I will be able to point out key strengths and weaknesses in your animal's body. If after our initial 10-minute discussion, you feel my services would assist you and your animal(s), we make an appointment to work together.

First Session - The first session usually lasts over an hour. During this time, I do a full evaluation of the animal and with your assistance, we build a detailed profile of behaviors and habits. I do a full acupressure session and I teach you which points to work and why. We'll also discuss nutrition, exercise, aromatherapy and flower essences that can support your beloved angel with fur.

Follow-up Sessions - In follow-up sessions, I am usually able to do deeper work with the animal. You and I will discuss the progress we've made and note any improvements or shifts in the animal's behavior or health. Follow-up sessions are usually 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the animal and tolerance level.

“Albert Schweitzer, the great humanitarian and healer said that the good doctor simply awakens “the physician within the patient.” – Dr. Michael Fox, The Healing Touch for Dogs
Canine Nutritional Consultation

Almost every dog (and person) can benefit from a shift in diet. Over and over I see similar health problems and imbalances in animals fed similar types of foods. It is surprisingly easy to "fix" many of the primary ailments simply through a change in diet.

High quality, all natural and minimally processed foods, loads of exercise and fun, coupled with nutritional supplements... and lots of love... are the keys to your beloved pup's health and longevity.

Integrated Animal Therapy offers Canine Nutritional Counseling based on Traditional Chinese Medicine food energetics including charts, sample recipes and recommendations customized for your dog depending on his or her condition.

Foods effect the body in specific ways - warming, cooling or neutral, moistening or drying, etc. And certain foods support specific meridian systems. Every animal (like every human) has unique dietary needs. If a dog has a damp condition, feeding foods that create more dampness in the body are counterproductive. You would need to shift to foods that are drying to bring the body back into balance.

PRE-MASSAGE PROCEDURE

Just like for people, it's best not to schedule a massage 30 minutes before or after eating. Please fill out my assessment and history form via phone or email prior to the massage appointment for first-time clients.

If you're not familiar with the 5-element theory and TCM, you of course may not understand the relevance of certain behaviors to your animal's health. At first, the systems can seem very foreign and almost silly. Please be willing to provide, to the best of your abilities, any information that you may or may not feel is relevant. For instance, a dog who barks incessantly at 7 pm every night could have an imbalance in his heart meridian.

Please note any personality traits and temperament, food preferences, unusual behaviors such as licking a certain body part, over-excitement at a certain time of day, whining or groaning with a particular movement, reactions to certain types of food or weather, sleeping patterns.

Download Form

Please complete the form(s) and fax to me at 334.388.4678.

POST-MASSAGE PROCEDURE

Canine: The massage and acupressure will increase circulation and can stir toxins. In order to assist the body's natural elimination channels, be sure to provide the opportunity for your dogs to drink lots of water, to stretch their legs, and to pee and poop immediately after a massage.

Equine: For best results, do a cool-down walk about after massage just as you would after physical exertion in the round pen or on a trail ride. The easy movement will assist the horse's body in eliminating any toxins that were released during the massage. And always have plenty of fresh, clean water available for your horse before and after a massage.

“Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” – Anonymous

Copyright 2007 Shanda Beste dba Integrated Animal Therapy