Pepsi's Clinical Canine Massage

19/06/2025

Good morning all, it's going to be another warm one today and whilst you may love going on walks with your fur babes in the sun, it's just not worth putting them in danger of heat stroke... I'm sure you've all seen this poster flying about but just incase, you haven't, here it is...

Have a wonderful day followers 🫶

14/06/2025

Yesterday, I shared a post about skin rolling, prompted by a great visual moment while grooming one of my dogs. Normally, I don’t have my phone within reach when I’m grooming or massaging, so it’s a lucky catch when I do get a good visual to share!

Today, meet Louie.
He's enjoying a massage session and just look at the way he presents himself for it! Louie came with me to one of my training assessments when he was very young, so he’s been exposed to the process from early on. He knows exactly what to expect and how to behave, which makes everything smoother and so much more beneficial for him.

Massage can offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits, especially when dealing with orthopeadic issues like luxating patella, which Louie has.

Here are the key areas I focus on during his sessions:

🐾 1. Back
• Dogs with luxating patella often compensate through the spine, particularly in the lumbar region.
• I pay special attention to the spinal muscles to relieve tension that builds up from altered gait patterns.

🐾 2. Pelvic Region
• Misalignment or muscle imbalance around the pelvis is common, so I work gently through the gluteal muscles, TFL and hamstrings.
• This helps to support better posture and reduce undue strain on the stifle (knee joint).

🐾 3. Shoulders and Forelimbs
• When the hind limbs are compromised, dogs shift weight forward, which leads to tension in the shoulders.
• I work through the trapezius, deltoid, and triceps area to improve mobility and ease overuse stress.

Given the noted significant skin rolling, the known indicator of fascial tension or restriction we discussed yesterday, Louie will have two further weekly sessions to help release those restrictions and support his ongoing comfort and mobility.

Louie absolutely loves his sessions and he really does benefit from them. When dogs are familiar and comfortable with the process, the results are even better. It’s always rewarding to see that level of trust and relaxation, even when I do have to smell his relaxation too! (If you know you know 🤣)

13/06/2025

🎥 Skin Rolling in Dogs – It's Not a Tickle Spot, It’s a Pain Response

Have you ever run your hand down your dog’s back or sides and noticed their skin twitch or ripple unexpectedly? Many people assume it’s a “ticklish spot” but more often, it’s a sign of underlying discomfort.

This reaction is called skin rolling, and it’s a reflex triggered by pain or irritation, not playfulness.

🧠 What’s Happening Beneath the Surface?
Skin rolling is a neuromuscular response.
Under your dog’s skin lies a sensitive network of:
• Fascia (connective tissue),
• Muscles, and
• Nerve endings.

When these structures are tight, inflamed, or irritated from injury, overuse, posture changes, or compensation even gentle touch can cause the muscles to contract, and the skin to visibly twitch or ripple.

🔍 What Might It Mean?
Repeated skin twitching in a specific area can indicate:
• Muscle tension or myofascial pain
• Trigger points
• Nerve sensitivity
• Postural imbalance
• Compensation due to an underlying condition

This is especially common in dogs who are aging, active, or living with orthopaedic issues.

💡 Why This Matters
Our dogs can’t tell us when something hurts, but they show us. Skin rolling is one of those subtle but important signs that something isn’t quite right.

As a Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner, I regularly support dogs showing these patterns. My own dog, Louie, has a condition called luxating patella where the kneecap slips out of place (i must have mentioned this before) . While the issue starts in the knee, it causes secondary problems in his gait and posture, as his body compensates for the instability. When Louie is sore, he presents himself to me in his own way asking for help. I’ll often find areas of tension and skin rolling along his back and hips, where the strain shows up the most.

✨ So the next time your dog’s skin twitches under your hand, either stroking or during a groom, don’t dismiss it as a tickle. It may be their way of saying, “I’m uncomfortable here.”

10/06/2025

Is Your Dog Just Sensitive or Truly in Pain? How to Tell the Difference

Some dogs seem to “scream at everything” a brush against their fur, a collar adjustment, or even being picked up. If your dog often reacts this way, how do you know if it’s just sensitivity or if they’re actually in pain?

Here’s how to tell the difference:

🐶 1. Know Your Dog’s Normal Reactions
Highly sensitive dogs may:
• Yelp during grooming, nail trims, or sudden touches
• React dramatically out of fear, surprise, or discomfort
• Vocalise when overstimulated or excited
• Or typical breed behaviour

These behaviors can seem intense but often aren’t linked to real injury.

❗2. Look for Physical Signs of Actual Pain
True injury or pain may show up as:
• Limping, stiffness, or altered gait
• Avoiding stairs, jumping, or play
• Localised swelling or tenderness
• Behavioral changes like hiding, snapping, or restlessness

🎯 3. Context Is Key
Think about what triggered the reaction:
• Was it a known sensitive area?
• Did it happen during a moment of stress or excitement?
• Is the reaction new or out of character?

A sudden, out-of-the-blue yelp, especially when resting or moving slowly, could be a sign of deeper pain.

✋ 4. Try a Gentle Body Scan
Run your hands slowly over your dog’s body. Watch for:
• Flinching or pulling away in specific spots
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Guarding or avoiding touch on one side
These subtle clues can point to discomfort beneath the surface.

🐾 5. Did You Know?
A certified canine massage therapist can help assess your dog for muscular strain, joint restrictions, or orthopedic imbalances, especially when pain isn’t obvious. Massage therapy is not only calming, but it also allows us to detect tightness, inflammation, and mobility issues before they worsen.

✨ If you’ve ever seen me assessing your dog, you’ve probably heard me ask:
“Is this normal for them?”
Because what seems unusual to me might be completely normal for your dog, and vice versa. Every dog is different, and your insight is essential in understanding what’s really going on.

🧘 Bonus Tip: Desensitisation Can Help
If your dog overreacts without signs of injury, gentle training can help them build confidence. Reward calm behavior during touch and handling. Over time, they learn that being touched doesn’t always mean discomfort.

👉 Every dog has a unique sensitivity threshold. Knowing what's “normal” for yours helps you notice when something’s truly wrong. Sensitivity and pain are different, but both deserve understanding and care 🫶

08/06/2025

🐶✨ FREE Canine Muscle Health Checks! ✨🐶
📍 BobsRocks ™ - Helping Pets In Need - www.bobsrocks.co.uk - Bark in the Park 2025
🗓️ Sunday 17th August, 10am.

I’m excited to be attending this event, offering FREE muscle health checks for your beloved dogs! 🐾💪

Come by and let me help you:
✅ Assess your dog’s muscle condition
✅ Recognise early signs of pain or discomfort
✅ Learn how to care for your dog’s muscles at home
✅ Get expert advice tailored to your dog’s needs

Whether your dog is young, active, aging, working, or recovering, proper muscle health is key to their comfort and quality of life.

🎉 All donations made to me on the day will go to Bob Rocks’ chosen charities, so you’ll be supporting great causes while taking care of your pup!

📸 Stop by, say hello, and let’s talk about keeping your dog happy, mobile, and pain-free.

07/06/2025

🐾 Understanding Trigger Points in Dogs: What They Are & How Release Therapy Helps 🐾
As a canine massage therapist, one of the most common issues I see in dogs, especially active, aging, or injured ones, are trigger points. But what exactly are they?

🎯 What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a tight band of skeletal muscle or fascia. Think of them as "knots" in your dog's muscles, tiny cramps that can cause significant discomfort.

These points may be:
• Tender to the touch
• Refer pain to other areas (e.g., a point in the shoulder may cause limping in the front leg)
• Lead to stiffness, lameness, or behavior changes

Dogs can't tell us they're in pain, so they might show signs like:
• Avoiding stairs or jumping
• Favoring one leg
• Flinching when touched
• Decreased playfulness or aggression

👐 What is Trigger Point Release Therapy?
Trigger Point Release is a manual therapy technique aimed at reducing or eliminating these painful muscle knots. During a session, I use gentle, sustained pressure on the trigger point to:
• Interrupt the pain-spasm cycle
• Increase blood flow
• Restore normal muscle function

It's not just about relieving pain, it can improve range of motion, posture, and overall mobility.

🐕‍🦺 Which Dogs Can Benefit?
Trigger point therapy is beneficial for:
• Senior dogs with arthritis or reduced mobility
• Active or working dogs (e.g., agility, service, hunting)
• Dogs recovering from injury or surgery
• Pets with behavioral changes linked to chronic discomfort

🧘‍♂️ Aftercare & Benefits
Post-release, your dog may feel tired or even a bit sore, this is normal. With proper hydration and rest, many dogs show noticeable improvement in movement and comfort after just one session.

Massage therapy, including trigger point release, is a safe, non-invasive way to support your dog's musculoskeletal health. If your pup seems sore, stiff, or not quite themselves, consider a session to help them feel their best, inside and out

03/06/2025

📣

Hey lovely dog lovers! It’s just me here behind Pepsi’s Clinical Canine Massage, sharing my knowledge and expertise to help your pups feel their best 🐾💆‍♂️

If you’ve found value in my posts, I’d love your support to help grow this little community. 💛

✨ Please share this post
✨ Tag a friend who has a dog, or 2 or 3 or 4 😉
✨ And follow for more gentle, practical advice
🌟 Check us out on Instagram too.

Every share helps more dogs get the care they deserve and helps this small business keep doing what it loves most.

Thank you so much for being part of my pack! 🐶

02/06/2025

🌞🐾 Sunny Days = More Play — Is Your Dog’s Body Ready? 🐕💆‍♂️

With longer days and warm weather, our dogs are enjoying more walks, hikes, and outdoor adventures. But just like us, all that increased activity can lead to sore muscles, tightness, and fatigue, especially if your dog is suddenly more active than they were all winter!

Here’s why canine massage therapy is especially beneficial in summer:

💪 Boosts Recovery After Long Walks or Hikes
Massage helps reduce lactic acid buildup and improves circulation for faster recovery.

🌡️ Supports Thermoregulation
Gentle massage can aid the lymphatic system, which helps regulate the body, important on warmer days!

🐾 Prevents Injury from Sudden Activity Increases
If your pup went from cozy couch life to chasing balls daily, massage helps ease the transition and prevent strains.

🧘 Calms Excitability from Busy Environments
More outdoor time = more stimulation. Massage soothes the nervous system and promotes relaxation.

🐕‍🦺 Maintains Mobility in Older or Arthritic Dogs
Warm weather might make them feel friskier, but massage ensures their joints stay supported and pain-free.

🌻 Seasonal Wellness Reset
Just like spring cleaning, massage helps refresh your dog’s body and mind for a season full of fun.

📆 Book your pup’s summer wellness session today and help them move, play, and recover with ease!

14/05/2025

I'm pleasured to see that we have a new local outdoor swimming pool designed specifically for our beloved dogs just opened.... Based at the old Dairy Land in Newquay. Check it out, i know we will 🐾

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrcxysECh/

Cornwalls First 32-ft Outdoor Swimming Pool for Dogs

Our purpose built pool and paddock area offers a controlled environment for your dog to swim in.

We supervise every session offering encouragement to suit the level of your dog.

🔗 www.swimdog.co.uk

07/05/2025

This is amazing amount of money raised for the RSPCA Cornwall Branch, well done everyone 🫶

05/05/2025

This one is dedicated to those who were asking yesterday, how they can massage at home..

Massaging your dog can be a soothing and beneficial experience when done correctly. As a pet owner, it’s important to use proper technique and know your limits to avoid causing harm.

Key Guidelines for Safe Dog Massage
• Use Only Gentle Techniques
• Stick to light touch or Swedish-style massage using smooth, gliding strokes along the muscles.
• Avoid deep tissue or pressure-based techniques , these should be left to trained professionals.

• Do Not Over-Massage a Single Area
• Overworking one spot can lead to soreness, bruising, or further irritation.
• Limit attention to any single area and monitor your dog’s response.
•Don't be afraid to go against the coat

• Avoid Massaging Directly Over Bones or Joints
• Bony areas (like the spine, hips, and knees) are sensitive and can be easily injured.
• Focus on the muscle tissue surrounding these areas instead.

• Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Reactions
• Positive signs: relaxed body, sighing, leaning into your hand, licking gently.
• Warning signs: stiffening, turning away, lip licking, growling, or moving away, stop immediately.

• Keep Sessions Brief
• Start with 5–10 minutes at most, especially for dogs new to massage. Working up to 20 mins for small dogs and 30 mins for large dogs.

• Do Not Massage if Your Dog Has:
• Recent surgery, injury, or swelling
• Fever, infection, or open wounds
• Epilepsy, pregnant or dogs diagnosed with cancer prior to veterinary advice.

When to See a Canine Massage Therapist

While owner-given massage can be a wonderful bonding tool, some situations call for a certified canine massage therapist, such as:
• Recovery from injury or surgery
• Chronic pain or arthritis
• Mobility issues or stiffness
• Behavioral issues linked to physical tension
• Age-related muscle degeneration
• Working or athletic dogs needing targeted muscle care
• Orthopedic conditions
• Owner concerns.

A professional will have specialised training to safely apply deeper techniques and assess muscle condition to be able to help your dog improve pain levels and muscle health.