Massage Techniques
Regular massage therapy is immensely helpful in maintaining flexibility & injury prevention throughout the muscles.
Equine Massage Therapy uses a variety of massage techniques and strokes to stimulate blood flow to different areas of the body. This encourages blood flow and brings in oxygen and other nutrients, at the same time removing lactic acid build up and eliminating other metabolic waste from the body.
The equine massage techniques listed below are applied at different times throughout the treatments we implement.
Effleurage
Gliding strokes to open and close the tissue and muscle. This can be used to warm up before deeper treatment and then compression strokes to close the muscles and drain the area of fluid build up, diminish toxins and lactic acid and encourage a fresh supply of blood.
Palpation
Used throughout the body to discover trigger points.
Palpation is a method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination. NL Therapy will touch and feel your horse's body to examine the size, consistency, texture, location and tenderness of a muscle.
Petrissage
An action to increase the circulation to the tissue and soften the muscles.
Vibration
This is used to affect muscles below the superficial tissue. It's used to stimulate and soothe your horse or if used deeply it can break up adhesions within the tissue.
Friction
This technique is only used once the tissue is warm and ready. It is used to break up adhesions and scar tissue, work out trigger points and bring fresh blood to the area.
Tapotement
This technique is used for stimulation. This could be to wake up dehydrated fascia and bring fresh blood to the area you want to treat.