Beloved canine family members can develop chronic, age-related medical conditions such as arthritis, just like their guardians. This article explains how you, as a dog owner, can provide arthritis relief for your friend through an ancient Chinese healing method known as acupressure. Chinese medicine in general is based on the concept that all medical problems result from energy blockages and imbalances in the body. Acupressure itself is a fingertip technique that involves applying gentle pressure and massage to certain specific points on the body referred to as acupressure points (not to be confused with acupuncture, which uses needles to stimulate the points, rather than the fingertip). These points are situated where the body's energy pathways (meridians), which connect the skin surface to the interior organs, exit through the surface; they are highly reactive to stimulation. Acupressure stimulates these points and increases blood circulation to the affected area, providing relief from pain. The following provides instructions on how to apply a general arthritis acupressure treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Dog, either standing or resting in a comfortable position
Instructions
Locating Your Dog's Acupressure Points
Start at the rump (the highest point on the lower back) by running your palm over the outside of the thigh and feeling all the depressions in this region with your fingers. Beginning at the rump, run your hand down the hind leg to get a good feel of the bony prominences. Then pick up that hind leg by the paw and, with your eyes, follow the leg from paw to thigh until you come to the hip joint near the top of the leg. You will see it when you lift the leg; it feels like a ball in a socket. The two depressions on either side of the bone (not on the bone itself) are acupressure points.
Next, run your fingers down the outside of that same hind leg to just below the knee (located approximately at the line where the dog's belly meets the leg). There is a depression at this point, where the tibia (larger, lower leg bone) and the fibula (small, thin outside bone that runs next to the tibia) begin.
On the same leg, run your fingers to just above the ankle. There you will find a hollow depression that feels like an empty spot consisting only of skin. This hollow holds an acupressure point that is referred to as the "aspirin point," as it is used to treat painful joints.
Then, run your fingers along the backside of the same leg, where you will find two big muscle groups. Using your finger, locate the groove between the muscle groups and run your finger up to the deep groove just above and behind the knee. This groove holds another acupressure point that is used to clear inflammation from the lower part of the body and treat inflamed joints.
Technique
Use either the thumb or index finger extended, not bent, when treating with acupressure. Applying even pressure ensures a successful treatment.
Begin by applying pressure slowly and gently, then deepen the pressure gradually and steadily. If your dog resists or tenses, stop and relax, then hold the point down for approximately five seconds.
Your dog will let you know if it is uncomfortable by squirming or moving away. With practice, you and your dog will agree on the appropriate amount of pressure.
General Arthritis Treatment
Locate the depression on the outside of the hind leg midway between the Achilles tendon and the ankle bone to treat the "aspirin point." Grasp both sides of the skin in front of the tendon and rub up and down for a period of anywhere between 15 and 60 seconds.
Find the point on the inside of your dog's hind paw located midway between the toes and ankle. Apply an upward sweeping pressure on this point for 15 to 60 seconds to stimulate circulation of liver blood to bathe and calm your dog's organ systems and generally restore the blood. It also alleviates lower back pain and pain in the hips, knees and ankles.
Alleviate arthritis that becomes worse during damp weather by finding the point below the knee, on the outside of the lower leg, located in the depression below the head of the fibula bone. Using a circular motion, apply pressure and hold for approximately 15 seconds.
Locate the point just below the knee, on the inside of the hind leg, in the groove between the tibia bone and the closest muscle, and apply steady, gentle pressure for up to 60 seconds. This point helps with arthritis that becomes worse during damp weather as well as arthritis that affects the knee and lower leg.
Locate the point on the outside of the hind leg, just below the knee and outside the tibia. Use either steady, gentle pressure or a circular motion for up to 60 seconds to strengthen the immune system and bones and to build stamina.