Solo's Healing
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Mike loved to watch the movement of his Golden Retriever, Solo. He seemed to float effortlessly as he trotted along. Mike admitted that he might be biased, but he thought Solo was the most graceful dog he had ever seen.
However, one Saturday morning Solo and Mike were returning from a walk when Mike noticed that Solo was moving a bit oddly. He would hold up his right hind leg, and periodically touch his toes to the ground. After several days of this, Mike took Solo to the veterinarian. The vet diagnosed Solo with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (a ligament inside the knee joint that aids in stabilizing it.) He would need surgery to repair it. Solo came through the surgery with flying colors. As soon as healing began, I worked with Mike on exercises to help Solo rehabilitate and regain his original ease of movement. |
Using a combination of therapeutic massage, craniosacral therapy myofascial release, and canine touch, I began by working the muscles on either side of his spine. Solo sighed and stretched out on his side. The other animals in the house—two cats and one dog—crept over to Solo and curled up next to him.
Candace Pert, PhD., in her book, Molecules of Emotion explains how a waterfall of chemicals is released when touch receptors in the body are stimulated, which in turn transmit messages to the brain. Once the brain receives these messages it initiates the production of chemicals that feed major body systems such as the blood, muscles, nerve cells, tissues, and organs.
In the wild, animals provide massage for each other by mutual grooming. One example is young mammals that depend upon the action of their mother’s tongue to stimulate digestion. They must rely on the mother to help them until their eyes and ears are open. After nursing, she carefully licks them until peristaltic action (the rhythmic contraction of the intestine as it moves food down its length) is initiated. If she did not do this, they would be unable to eliminate toxic wastes and would die.
As the days pass and growing animals play-fight and tussle with one another, their activity increases the circulation of the blood. This brings nutrients to the bones, building a stronger skeletal system. Physical activity also causes an increase the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which results in a healthier animal.
In addition to the physical benefits, bodywork also has social benefits. It is an integral part of a developing animal’s social order. In the wild, growing animals learn to relate to one another and their environment in a way which will serve them as they mature. Studies have shown that animals deprived of touch become social misfits, and are sometimes unable to survive.
Mike’s dedication to Solo’s recovery paid off. Between bodywork sessions and daily exercises, Solo was once again able to run and play. I was gratified to watch him racing around the yard, mouthing his beloved tennis ball.
Candace Pert, PhD., in her book, Molecules of Emotion explains how a waterfall of chemicals is released when touch receptors in the body are stimulated, which in turn transmit messages to the brain. Once the brain receives these messages it initiates the production of chemicals that feed major body systems such as the blood, muscles, nerve cells, tissues, and organs.
In the wild, animals provide massage for each other by mutual grooming. One example is young mammals that depend upon the action of their mother’s tongue to stimulate digestion. They must rely on the mother to help them until their eyes and ears are open. After nursing, she carefully licks them until peristaltic action (the rhythmic contraction of the intestine as it moves food down its length) is initiated. If she did not do this, they would be unable to eliminate toxic wastes and would die.
As the days pass and growing animals play-fight and tussle with one another, their activity increases the circulation of the blood. This brings nutrients to the bones, building a stronger skeletal system. Physical activity also causes an increase the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which results in a healthier animal.
In addition to the physical benefits, bodywork also has social benefits. It is an integral part of a developing animal’s social order. In the wild, growing animals learn to relate to one another and their environment in a way which will serve them as they mature. Studies have shown that animals deprived of touch become social misfits, and are sometimes unable to survive.
Mike’s dedication to Solo’s recovery paid off. Between bodywork sessions and daily exercises, Solo was once again able to run and play. I was gratified to watch him racing around the yard, mouthing his beloved tennis ball.