Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago that uses use deep and gentle pressure to stimulate key points, known as acupoints, on the surface of the skin to awaken the body's natural self-curative and restorative abilities. Practitioners stimulate points along the body’s energy pathways to bring relaxation, vitality and optimal health to the body.

How Does Acupressure Work?

To understand how Acupressure works, one must first be familiar with Qi (pronounced “chee’). Qi is the Life Force energy that invigorates the entire body to include the mind and the spirit. It is the essence of Life and it is what connects us all.

One can think of Qi as a barometer of health. When Qi is in balance in the body, the body, mind and spirit enjoy health and vitality. Conversely, when Qi is out of harmony, the whole body system becomes suseptible to ill health. The two cats flying through the house, stopping spinning, leaping in the air and playing all the way. Their coats have a shine and their eyes a twinkle. This is healthy Qi. The mare that has just foaled. She feels depleted from the delivery and she is emotionally spent. Her expression though loving as her foal passes her sight, is a little flat .. tired. This mare's Qi has shifted out of balance. Acupressure will awaken the restorative abilities in the body and give much aid in the recuperative process.

Qi flows like rivers through the body in an intricate system of pathways or channels. There are many pathways ways in the body, but of them there are 12 major ones known as Meridians. Each Meridian is associated with an organ system and all Meridians flow between organ systems and the skin. There are many places along the Meridian where it rises to the skin and this is where we find Acupressure points. The area of skin around an Acupressure point, which is not large - only about .1 cm to 5 cm, has an increased electrical conductivity. Because of this heightened reactivity, an exchange of energy occurs by touching the point. This exchange happens through the practitioner who is acting as a conduit between the divine Universal Qi and the animal or person. An energetic shift is affected at this point along the entire Meridian to which it is associated and a message of healing is sent asking the body, mind and spirit to come to balance. For example, if a dog has developed an upset stomach accompanied by a bout of diarrhea, a practitioner would utilize acupressure points along the Stomach Meridian and this would in turn send healing energy to the gastrointestinal tract.

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Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is an ancient form of healing which evolved over thousands of years of tradition. The word “Shiatsu” translates to “finger pressure”. The Shiatsu practitioner uses pressure from massage and stretching to stimulate the body’s acupressure points. Stimulating these points ask the energetic meridians to come to balance inviting good health and vitality to the body, mind and spirit. (For more information on energetic Meridians see “How does Acupressure Work?” above). Working in concert with Acupressure, Shiatsu stimulates the circulation and immune system, releases deep seated tensions from muscles, helps balance the hormonal system and works on the autonomic nervous system (which regulates the body's organs). The recipient experiences a deep relaxation which aids in accessing their own innate healing power.

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Sports Massage

Equine massage has a history that dates back as far as the Greeks who would massage their horses after a day of hard work. Over thirty years ago, the technique we now call Equine Sports Massage was rediscovered and expanded upon.

Equine Sports Massage is a deep tissue massage that incorporates the strokes of Swedish massage, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization. Sports Massage allows the practitioner to assess the horse’s muscular fitness with their hands - body temperature, texture of the skin and muscle fibers, tenderness of certain areas and tension tell the masseuse what is needed. This technique is particularly beneficial in its focus on muscles that are unable to release or relax on their own. This is similar to what you may experience when you have a “knot” at the base of your neck. Massage is just the thing to release that tension! Muscles through overuse or stretching can shorten and as a result, cause the rest of the muscle to over work. This is the “knot” or spasm that is felt. Sports Massage restores range of motion and freedom of movement by removing the source of discomfort.

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Benefits of Acupressure and Massage

Strengthens the body and its ability to heal
Helps build a healthy immune system
Releases natural cortisol to reduce swelling & offer relief from allergies
Stimulates circulation — great for animals whose activities have been restricted (ie. stall or boarding kennel)
Reduces pain by releasing natural endorphins
Helps with behavioral issues such as aggression, fear, separation anxiety and depression
Improves muscle tone & mobility
Increases range of motion for better movement
Reduces tactile defense — helps those who are uncomfortable being touched relax and trust touch
Reduces accumulated stress & fatigue in the body
Reduces blood pressure and muscle stiffness
Increases vitality, stamina and energy

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Please Note:
WolfSong Healing does not prescribe or diagnose. It is intended as a supplement not a substitute to qualified Veterinary or Medical care. It does not guarantee “cure”. The use of the word “heal” references transformation to a state of “highest good”.

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