Massage therapy is the use of manual techniques on muscles within the dogs body. These techniques have many benefits, some of these include: 

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• Increased blood flow

• Increased lymphatic (fluid) drainage

• Elicit the body's natural pain relief mechanisms 

• Relieves tight and sore muscles

• Improves mobility and reduces stiffness

• Improves muscle tone

• Helps correct the dogs posture and improve their balance

• Improves the dogs walking and running movement

• Improves muscle flexibility and elasticity 

• Aids recovery from injury and surgery

• Helps to break down scar tissue

• Improves muscle condition

• Improves performance in sports dogs

• Promotes relaxation and relieves stress 

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Massage can make your dog feel happier and more comfortable. It can also give them a new lease of life, especially for geriatric dogs. Massage can be extremely beneficial for dogs recovering from any injury or surgery but it can also be a great benefit for dogs that "just don't seem themselves". Massage can help reverse simple changes in you dog. Some changes can include:

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• Not wanting to jump into the car

• Struggling to get up after lying down

• A reluctance to climb the stairs  

• Decreased activity or the want to do activity 

• A reluctance to jump onto surfaces, like the sofa or bed

• Over grooming or licking in a particular area

• Decreased appetite 

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These small changes can all be signs of pain or discomfort in your dog and should be checked by a veterinary.