Dog Hip Pain Relief
Video Text

If your dog has hip dysplasia you may have to do this regularly to give them hip pain relief because the muscles will tend to tighten more quickly as they are doing so to compensate for the hips.

Here's what you're going to do:

1. First, you want to make sure the lower third of the spine from about the lower mid back all the way down to the tailbone is free. All the tissue on either side of the spine is needs to be free both so the vertebrae are being hampered in their ability to move, and so the nerves that come out of the spine and innervate the lower third of the dog's body are not being compromised by tight tissue. If it's tight you need to release it, but if it's a spot that is really stubborn, then feel free to stop for a while and come back to it later.

2.Second, you want to feel the tissue on the dog's sacrum (the "tailbone" to most people) is free. If the tissue feels bumpy and/or hard you want to do the press-pull-release on it with your thumbs or your fingertips. It may seem a little odd pressing on what seems like a bone, but the tissue on it is tight, and if you work on it a bit, you'll notice the tissue that covers it soften just a bit.

3. Third, now you'll work on the "haunches" otherwise known as the hip and upper thigh muscles. These are some of the biggest and strongest muscles in the canine body. They should be supple and have a lot of give.

If your dog has hip dysplasia these muscles may have atrophied (gotten smaller) a bit, but they'll also usually be pretty tight. So don't think because they are small that they don't need much work because they probably need more work than just about any other muscle group.

4. Forth, lastly you want to work on the inner thighs (groin). YOU WANT TO BE GENTLE when you do this because there are a lot of nerves that run through this area. Just like your inner thigh, it can hurt if someone is too aggressive.

It's usually best if your dog is lying on their back, just because the groin muscles are relaxed. If your dog is standing you can get at the muscles, but I find they don't release quite as easily, but it's worth a try. If you find the standing position is easier for you and your dog then go for it. If your dog is sitting it's generally too difficult to get at the groin muscles.

5. Assess how much dog pain relief you've achieved by letting your dog get up and walk around a bit. Hopefully, both you and your dog will notice a difference from the work you have done.

Now, remember what muscles could use more work and go for another round if both you and your dog seem up for it. OR take a break and do some more in a little while or the next day.