Gua Sha for Dogs
You’ve used it for your face, but have you tried Gua Sha for your dog? Its not as crazy as you would think, and it has tremendous positive benefits for your pet. I’ve seen better pain control in my own patients since I started incorporating this technique.
Gua Sha massage has been used in China for thousands of years, and initially helped people with heatstroke, the common cold, and the flu. Using a stone as a tool, you gently apply a “scraping” motion over the skin that helps with circulation, collagen production, and lymph drainage. By helping the fascia (connective tissue) underneath the skin, we can remove stuck energy, or Qi, that causes stagnation, pain, inflammation, stiffness, and build up of waste products. With helping the natural flow of the connective tissue, fascia, and body, we promote overall health.
With dogs, by using the gua sha tool, it stretches and compresses the underlying fascia, which promotes collagen cells to produce healthy connective tissue. This is important for reducing adhesions underneath the skin, and breaking up scar tissue.
A few studies have also shown that dog gua sha massage can help with proprioception, or knowing where your limbs are. Many dogs with IVDD, chronic pain, or other neurologic deficits need an extra boost when it comes to feeling the ground with their paws!
The act of “scraping” or gently rubbing the round edge of the gua sha tool over your dog’s neck, back, and limbs can reduce the pain response and increase a release of endorphins. Its a similar concept of when you bonk your elbow, and your immediate response it to rub that area to make it feel better. I place my non dominant hand over boney prominences, such as the spine, elbow, hips, or knees to prevent gua sha-ing directly over the bones.
Tools are made from stone such as Jade, which embodies peace and luck, and Rose Quartz, which is all about love and compassion.
Whats great about gua sha for dogs is that you can do it at home, and the cost is only the gua sha tool and time spent safely learning about the technique! I show clients how to do this at home so the animals can heal faster, we can keep movement flowing to prevent issues, plus its great bonding time with your pet, and its cheaper than weekly acupuncture sessions!
Talk to your veterinarian today about using this technique at home!