Post massage relaxation
In our ongoing tutorial series on dog massage, Canine Massage 101, we covered Effleurage and Passive Touch. Today we’ll look at a deeper stroke, Petrissage.
Petrissage is a kneading stroke which involves a gentle lifting and squeezing motion with one or both hands.
This pumping action allows body fluids to move in and out of the muscles. Petrissage can range from a light to deeper pressure. The deeper the kneading motion, the more the toxins and spasms are released from the muscle. Blood and nutrients are able to flow into the muscle area.
The neck area is a great place to apply this stroke. Often the muscles are strained from collar use.
Petrissage—How to:
1. It is helpful to warm up the body area with Effleurage or Passive Touch before applying Petrissage.
2. Place one or both hands lightly on the area you wish to address. Formulate the letter “C” with your fingers and thumb. With light pressure initially, begin to slowly and gently lift the skin and muscles between the fingers and the thumb, essentially opening and closing the “C.”
3. Rhythmically rock the kneading motion as you “feed” the skin and muscle back and forth between both hands.
4. If using one hand (on a smaller area), place the other hand gently on another area for support (remember Passive Touch).
5. Move slowly, gently lifting more layers as you feel the muscles soften.
Always watch your dog’s reaction. Stop if your dog is exhibiting discomfort or unwillingness to continue. Never “force” a massage on your dog.
Here is a video demo of Petrissage:
Ask your dog if he wants a massage tonight. Begin with some light Effleurage and slowly move to Petrissage. If it’s his first time, apply very light pressure. What is his reaction? I’d love to hear your feedback—on your experience with massaging your dog or on this tutorial series on dog massage.
As a side note: I shot this video with my Canon G7 in my teeth! Yes, that’s right. If you know those cameras, you can imagine how tricky that was. I needed both hands, and I thought I would take advantage of the fact that my dashing demo dog, Teko, was mellow and relaxed in front of me. So, a special shout out to him as well for being my lovely model for this tutorial.
(Photo Credit: K. Garland)
