16 May 2008
Animals and Natural Therapies
By Sharon Osmond (Dip. Animal Naturopathy & Myofunctional Therapist)
Alternative and complimentary therapies are increasingly becoming popular for animals with outstanding results. Our pets, like us, need a well balanced diet, regular exercise and maintain a strong and healthy immune system. Natural therapies can aid in promoting longevity, balance, health and happiness in your pets everyday life. Pets that also suffer conditions such as arthritis, musculoskeletalproblems, allergies and low immunity will benefit greatly from natural therapies. Natural therapies and remedies for animals combine many modalities and by taking your pet to a natural therapist you will achieve this safely, non invasively, drug free and most importantly your pet will love you for it. A variety of therapies such as massage, herbal medicine, flower essences, homeopathy, aromatherapy, nutrition, iridology, kinesiology, acupressure, shiatsu and many others may be used by naturopaths who may use all, one or more modalities depending on the condition being treated.
Two examples of modalities of natural therapies and their benefits for animals are massage and herbal medicine.
Most pets, like humans, enjoy massage therapy. Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue which achieves the drainage, relaxation or stimulation of the body and promotes an excellent supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle groups. It is also a powerful diagnostic tool with beneficial effects on strength, range of movement, agility, performance and enhances recovery time for animals after injury, illness or surgery. Deep tissue and sports massage loosens tight muscle fibres, breaks up adhesions and fibrotic changes (scar tissue) that occur as the result of healing processes following injury or excessive strain and tension. Lymphatic drainage will assist in detoxifying the body and boosting the immune system.
Massage has been proved to assist the healing process and is used widely throughout the world for animals that are suffering acute or chronic pain. It is also great for animals suffering arthritis to strengthen, repair and rejuvenate joints. Massage is deep acting yet a gentle boost to the immune system. Even mental and emotional demands on animals as well as strains and injuries can cause tension, which may become evident in the musculature. Trauma can also cause stressed muscles.
Benefits of massage are:
* Promotes well being and good performance
* Aids in healing for most injuries
* Assists in the detoxification process
* Effective in pain management
* Relaxes and renews energy
* Positive effects for range of motion, inflammation and muscle tension and strain
* Preventative against potential injuries
Animals respond very well to this gentle and non-invasive technique as it directly focuses on the central nervous system.
Herbal treatments for your pets can have fantastic benefits and results providing they are used in the appropriate form. It is best to consult an animal herbalist or naturopath when starting your pet on herbal treatments as they have a good understanding of herbs and can recommend which herbs would be suitable for your animal.
Herbal remedies can be used internally and externally. Herbs can be used for so many different conditions such as arthritis, disease, low immune systems, liver and heart problems, itch, fleas, wounds, muscular and skeletal injuries, digestive problems, carsickness, abscesses, stress and anxiety, infections, respiratory, urinary, worms, ulcers, skin and coat, ears and eyes, diet and nutrition-the list can go on!! Herbs are used to support the bodies' own natural healing mechanisms so that the body can heal and rebalance itself properly. Animals are natural Herbalists, often eating particular herbs in the garden when needed.
Your pet doesn’t have to have a medical condition to take herbs. Herbs are full of vitamins and minerals and you can maintain an overall general wellbeing and extend your pets life by keeping them healthy and giving them a good diet, exercise and sunlight.
Diet and nutrition plays a major part of any animal’s health and well being and having a well balanced and healthy diet is very important as it can help prevent most diseases. It is advisable to keep your pets diet as natural, preservative free and balanced as much as possible. If you give commercial foods buy a reputable one that is complete and nutritionally balanced. When changing a pet’s diet always do it gradually so their digestive system can adjust. Some pets can have food allergies so this is a good way of observing if there are any negative reactions to new foods being added to their diet.
Animal natural therapies involves treating the whole animal, rather than just treating the symptoms with a big focus on preventative treatment to improve overall health, wellbeing and longevity. Animals generally respond extremely well to natural therapies as there are no undesirable side effects.
Sharon Osmond holds a diploma in animal naturopathy, she is a qualified equine muscle therapist, has certificates in horse management, animal herbal medicine, animal nutrition and pasture management. Therapies Sharon uses in her treatment for horses, cats and dogs are Myofunctional Therapy (muscle, sports injury and massage),craniosacraland photonic. Sharon focuses on the health and wellbeing of animals and is knowledgeable in breeding, nutrition, physiology and behaviour. She breeds sports horses and Weimaraner dogs in the Lower Hunter Valley of NSW. To find out more information Sharon’s website is www.equilution.net therapy
Sharon Osmond
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