To approach health holistically means to treat the being as a whole. This means that the mind, body, and spirit must all be involved in its healing. Many people are choosing holistic healing for themselves, so it only seems natural that they become interested in the same type of care for their pets. The following are holistic practices that may be of benefit to your beloved canine.
Massage Therapy for Dogs
The positive results of massage therapy are well-documented. It also offers positive benefits for your dog. If your dog has a sprain or strain, it can help to heal the area, reduce pain and relax sore muscles. Massage helps to improve blood flow and increases the amount of oxygen present in the blood.
Most dogs enjoy receiving a massage, and it usually helps to calm them down. You can choose to take your dog to an animal massage therapist or learn the proper way to do it yourself.
Acupressure and Acupuncture for Dogs
Both acupressure and acupuncture have their roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This means that they have been used for healing humans for about 5,000 years. You can trust these safe and non-invasive methods will help bring your dog’s mind and body into a more calm and pain-free state.
Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on a dog’s body, with the intent of increasing energy and blood flow. Acupuncture is also intent on bringing balance to the body, however, needles are used to connect with these points on the body that are used to restore health and healing.
Music Therapy for Dogs
The effect of music on humans and dogs alike has been examined. Studies have shown that certain types of music can calm down a dog that is displaying stressed or anxious behavior.
It should be no surprise that classical music was shown to be very calming to most dogs, while heavy metal music caused them to only become more agitated.
Aromatherapy for Dogs
Aromatherapy is yet another holistic treatment that can be a great help to your dog. A diffuser is ideal to work with so that you don’t have to worry about a burning candle. Choose a relaxing essential oil such as lavender for your diffuser. Before trying any strong-smelling or exotic essential oil such as cinnamon or ylang-ylang, speak to your veterinarian about which essential oils are 100% safe for your pets.
Takeaway
Combining holistic care with standard veterinary medical care can go a long way in keeping your dog healthy. Also, consider combining a couple of the above therapies (such as aromatherapy and massage) to maximize healing.
