What is Equine Massage?
Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows and forearm. In general, massage therapists work on muscle and other soft tissue to help you feel better. Massage is used to promote relaxation and well-being. Myofascial trigger point is a type of massage therapy that focuses on trigger points—areas that are painful when pressed and are associated with pain elsewhere in the body.
Massage will restore damaged muscles but more importantly it will help to prevent damage before it happens. Undue tension and tightening in any part of the body will reduce the effectiveness of the entire body. A muscle can never be neutral, if it doesn’t work for you, it works against you. If your horse is favoring a sore muscle it is using energy to guard and protect. This action hampers the natural design of free flowing movement.
What are the benefits of Massage?
Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows and forearm. In general, massage therapists work on muscle and other soft tissue to help you feel better. Massage is used to promote relaxation and well-being. Myofascial trigger point is a type of massage therapy that focuses on trigger points—areas that are painful when pressed and are associated with pain elsewhere in the body.
Massage will restore damaged muscles but more importantly it will help to prevent damage before it happens. Undue tension and tightening in any part of the body will reduce the effectiveness of the entire body. A muscle can never be neutral, if it doesn’t work for you, it works against you. If your horse is favoring a sore muscle it is using energy to guard and protect. This action hampers the natural design of free flowing movement.
What are the benefits of Massage?
- Stimulates the body to release toxins, creates blood and oxygen flow and releases endorphins.
- Promotes the healing process by increasing the flow of nutrients to the muscles, and aiding in carrying away excessive fluids and toxins.
- Enhances muscle tone and range of motion.
- Reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints.
- Relieves tension and relaxes muscles.
- Generally improves the disposition of the animal.
- Aids in preventing injuries and loss of mobility.
- Boosts athletic performance and endurance.
- Restores mobility to injured muscle tissue.
- Helps to maintain the whole body in better physical condition.
- Places the horse in a balanced state so they can safely and properly perform.
Equine massage/structural integration is not intended to replace medical or veterinary healthcare. Practitioners do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe medications, perform surgical procedures, or provide chiropractic manipulations.