SV REMT Equine Massage Therapy

Equine Massage Therapy – What Is It?

Massage is defined as the assessment of the soft tissues and joints of the body and the treatment or prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function and or to relieve pain.

In short, massage is the manipulation of soft tissues and joints for therapeutic purposes.

Generally, Equine Massage Therapy uses the principles, components and techniques of Swedish massage therapy and adapts them to the equine body. Like massage therapy for humans, Equine Massage Therapy can be used to treat a specific problem or injury, to maintain the health of the soft tissues and joints and to prevent future injury as well as to promote the proper development and use of the soft tissues and joints.

The body structures that are affected by massage therapy include:

Muscular system (muscles and tendons)
Skeletal system (joints, cartilage, ligaments, joint capsule and bone)
Circulatory system (veins, arteries, capillaries and the heart mussel)
Lymphatic system (vessels and lymph nodes)
Respiratory system (lung function and oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange)
Endocrine system (glands and hormone action)
Eliminatory system (urinary and gastrointestinal)
Nervous system (motor and sensory nerves)
Digestive system (stomach and intestines)

Massage often only directly affects the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint structures, blood and lymph vessels, and nerves that are closer to the surface. However, by affecting these superficial areas, massage can also be used to effect deeper, more internal structures through the blood flow, the nervous system and the release of chemical messages in the body

In this way, massage therapy is a non-invasive technique that can be used to promote, maintain, rehabilitate or change the function of structures anywhere in the body, even a body as massive as that of the horse!

Equine Massage Therapy - History

Massage is an ancient technique that developed in many different cultures around the world.

2000 B.C. - The appearance of the first written record of massage. References to massage and hydrotherapy appear in ancient medical texts from Egypt, Persia and Japan.

430 B.C. - During the Roman Empire, massage was used widely in the public baths and was used by notable historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Pliny the Great to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy and chronic asthma. It is during this period that the first written record of massage for use on animals was created. Flavius Arrianus, the Greek philosopher, historian and administrator to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, recommended that massage be used on horses and dogs to help keep their muscles supple and strong and their coats glossy.

Early 1800s - Per Hendrick Ling developed a system of massage and movement therapies that would become recognized as the precursor to modern physiotherapy. In 1813, the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute of Stockholm incorporated the work of Per Ling and became the first college to include massage therapy in its curriculum.

Early 1900s - Massage therapy was brought to North America by Mary McMillan, earning her the title “the grandmother of modern massage in North America”. Massage continued to grow in the new world with contributions from James B. Mennell, who declared that massage be included in the realm of medicine, Harold D. Storms and James Cryax, both of whom originated “frictioning techniques”.

1993 - In Ontario, massage therapy for humans became a regulated health profession under the Regulated Health Professions Act. This step reinforced the validity of massage therapy as an alternative health care choice.

1996 - The International Federation of Registered Equine Massage Therapists (IFREMT) was created to promote Equine Massage Therapy as a health care profession and is working towards legislation that regulates the practice of Equine Massage Therapy. Though the principles, components and techniques are the same as in human massage therapy, the practice of Equine Massage Therapy is being accepted more slowly.

Equine Massage Therapy – Uses and Benefits

The general uses and benefits of Massage Therapy are:

Relax or stimulate the nervous system
Relax or stimulate the muscles
Increase blood and lymphatic circulation
Decrease swelling, edema or congestion
Promote the elimination of toxins and metabolic waste
Increase nutrient and oxygen delivery to the tissues
Promote deep breathing
Increase metabolism, peristalsis and digestion
Relieve pain
Increase mobility, flexibility and pliability of the tissues
Provide the benefit of touch

Massage can also be used to treat certain conditions including:

Muscle spasm
Swelling
Fatigue
Sprains
Strains
Subluxations
Atrophy
Neuralgia/neuritis
Fracture
Scaring and adhesions
Repetitive stress injuries

Massage therapy is used to affect the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels to improve or maintain the general health of these structures and to promote an overall feeling of wellness.

In the ordinary course of events, when there is no specific pathology or injury, massage therapy is used to address areas of tension and any general “wear and tear” of the soft tissues and joints. It helps to keep the body pain free (or decreases pain), balanced, and supple. Regular massage can help by catching problems early when they are easier to deal with, and by allowing the horse mental “down time” when he or she can relax.

As a performance enhancement measure, massage therapy is used to promote the optimal functioning of the equine athlete. Massage therapy promotes general muscle and joint health, increases circulation and improves body awareness. Massage specifically promotes muscle and joint mobility, flexibility, endurance and strength. These same effects make regular massage therapy an important part of an injury prevention program and help to reduce post-exercise soreness.

Rehabilitative massage therapy occurs when there is a specific pathology or injury that has been diagnosed by a veterinarian. Massage is used in conjunction with, and under the direction of a veterinarian to promote proper, more rapid and more complete recovery from a specific illnesses or injury. Massage therapy is not appropriate for all pathologies, but many common injuries can be helped by a combination of veterinary care and massage therapy.
Equine Massage Therapy – Techniques

Equine Massage Therapy applies the techniques of Swedish Massage Therapy to the equine body. There are six basic types of manipulations included in Swedish massage: effleurage, petrissage, tapotements, vibrations, shakings and strokings. Each manipulation is either soothing or stimulating to the body tissues and each group of manipulations has its own direct and reflex effects as well as specific uses.

EFFLEURAGE is a gliding movement done with one or both hands. It has its main effect on the venous and lymphatic circulations to promote the drainage of fluids. Effleurage can also be used to accustom the horse to the therapist’s touch and in cases where deeper manipulations are not appropriate.
PETRISSAGE is a group of movements that produce a “pump” action by alternating pressure and relaxation. Petrissage mainly affects the muscles and the subcutaneous tissues to loosen and stretch these tissues.
TAPOTEMENT is a group of movements that involve springy blows to the body surface. Tapotements are always stimulating and have a direct affect on the nerves to stimulate muscle tissue and promote local circulation.
VIBRATIONS are quivering or trembling movements used to dissipate fluid from and area of swelling, to generally relax or mildly stimulate the horse and to affect deep organs such as the digestive system.
SHAKINGS involve the grasping and the rhythmic shaking of a body part. Shakings affect the nervous system to stimulate or sooth, are used to loosen and stretch soft tissue and also have a reflex effect on the deep organs
STROKINGS involve the running of the hand over the horse’s body with no direct pressure. Strokings affect the nerves of the skin and can be soothing or stimulating depending on the speed and direction in which they are performed.

Equine massage therapy may also include specialized techniques developed for specific purposes beyond those of general Swedish massage. Specialized techniques include:

Nerve manipulations
Diagnostic massage
Ice massage
Swelling technique
Origin and insertion technique
Friction therapy
Trigger point therapy
Fascial release techniques

Equine Massage Therapy – Hydrotherapy and Remedial Exercise

Hydrotherapy is the application of water in any of its three forms (ice, water, steam) to the body for therapeutic purposes.

Hydrotherapy has thermal, mechanical, hydrostatic and chemical effects that can be used to compliment the effects achieved through massage therapy. A Registered Equine Massage Therapist can teach hydrotherapy to the owner or caregiver of a horse so that they can continue care at home to increase the effectiveness of the massage treatment.

Types of Hydrotherapy include:

Affusions (uses running water from a hose)
Compresses (hot or cold)
Poultices
Cryotherapy (application of ice)
Baths (submerging of a body part in water)

Remedial Exercise is a variety of movements that are done for therapeutic purpose. Remedial exercises can be taught to the horse’s owner or caregiver and be done as home care to help reach the massage therapy goals.

Remedial exercises include range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises are designed to promote proper healing, to improve flexibility and range of motion, to promote body balance, to strengthen weakened structure or areas, and to improve athletic performance. A remedial exercise program can be created by your Registered Equine Massage Therapist to suit your horse’s condition (for example in the case of an injury) and to help achieve your athletic goals.

Equine Massage Therapy – Contraindications

In some cases Massage Therapy is not appropriate for a horse. The best judge of the suitability of massage therapy for your horse is your veterinarian. Under certain conditions massage is not only inappropriate, but it is dangerous. Some of the conditions that may exclude a horse from treatment with Massage Therapy include:

• Systemic infectious disease (EIA, EVA, EEE, WEE, VEE, West Nile, etc.)
• Contagious or zoonotic skin disease (ringworm, rain rot)
• Fever over 40.5 C
• Advanced respiratory, liver or kidney failure
• Colic
• Shock
• Coma or seizure
• Severe trauma or hemorrhage
• Metastatic cancers
• Pregnancy (first and last trimesters)
• Treatment with some types of medications
• Open wounds
• Areas of infection
• Recent surgery (4-6 weeks)

Caution must be used when treating horses that are aged, very young, debilitated or convalescing.

It is the responsibility of you and your Equine Massage Therapist to contact your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is free of any conditions that may make massage therapy unsuitable or dangerous for your horse.