Holistic massage is a manual technique that considers the living being in its entirety. In holistic massage it is taken into account that what is being massaged is not only an “anatomical body”, but also a being made up of psyche, mind and emotions.

Holistic massage mainly consists of a series of circular and smoothing massages. Their purpose is to activate some superficial nerve endings in order to reduce tension, stress and improve concentration .

Just as holistic massage brings well -being to us men, it also transmits it to our dogs and cats who willingly undergo different massage techniques as long as they are well set, sweet, gradual and that give them, from the very first touches, a sensation of relaxation such as to make them aware of the benefits received and therefore collaborating.  

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Holistic massage in dogs

First of all, it must be assumed that some dogs like to be handled and others do not and that every dog ​​has particularly sensitive areas that it cannot be touched willingly, such as the pads, the tail or the neck. 

For this reason it is important to know how to approach dogs in order to make them cooperative and to be able to practice them an effective holistic massage. That said, here are some tips for carrying out a dog massage:  

> Start slowly : the first session must be used to understand what is bothering the dog and to convince him that the massage will be a pleasant and non-stressful event.

You should therefore not sit facing the dog or from behind, but at his side, preferably on the ground and then let him position himself as he sees fit. It is advisable to always use the same rug or blanket that evokes in him, for future sessions, the memory of a wellness and relaxation ritual.      

> Close the door and keep the lights dimmed so that there is no noise and the environment is muffled.        

> Understanding when the dog is tired of being manipulated : if he begins to show signs of impatience, stiffening or withdrawing from the touch, do not force him and stop immediately. On the contrary, if he stretches, stretches or even falls asleep, we can continue without problems. 

> Remember that every dog, like every person, has preferences : some love a deeper massage, others more delicate, some longer, others shorter. 

> Gradually approach the most sensitive areas (fingertips, tail, neck), gently massaging the neighboring parts for longer and longer times, trying to reach the goal without haste and with the dog’s consent, giving him a reward when he allows us to do so.     

> Knowing when is the right time to perform the massage. The right time for the dog, of course. The right moment is the one in which he seeks us to be pampered and caressed: these are precisely the opportunities to be exploited.

> Avoid practicing holistic massage if we are not in the right mood : we would transmit tension and negativity to our dog rather than well-being and relaxation. 

The holistic massage in the dog consists mainly of four moves :

1.  Touch : it consists of a prolonged massage carried out with the palms of the hands always in the cranial-caudal direction. It is an excellent technique to use at the beginning or at the end of the session because it is a rhythmic, delicate and relaxing maneuver.

2.  Knead : always with the palm of the hand, make circular massages starting from the center and moving away, while maintaining the same pressure. It is suitable for the most muscular areas.

3.  Lift: performed on the neck and back, where the skin is most elastic, gently lifting the folds of the skin by way of a light pinch.

4.  Squeeze the tail : the tail should not be excluded from the massage, but the maneuver should not be sudden and violent. You grab the base of the tail gently and proceed towards the tip, tightening it gradually and progressively.  

Holistic massage in cats

Some cats do not like excessive physical contact and after a few caresses they react by running away: it goes without saying that, since holistic massage must be a pleasure for those who receive it as well as for those who do it, it makes no sense to hold back a recalcitrant cat because the only result would be stress for him and scratches and bites for us.

Fortunately, however, the cats who love to be pampered, stroked, are the majority. It is typically feline that, for whatever concerns them, the best time is the one chosen by them, by the cats. And so it is with the massage: when they rub and rub their snouts and sides against us, when they approach and purr, when they jump into our lap, then we can begin our session gradually and gently .

You start massaging the whole cat gently, but effectively , starting from the plantar pads and then going up along the limbs, abdomen, chest, back, neck up to the head.

You have to alternate deeper linear and circular movements with increasingly wider superficial touches, insisting particularly at the level of the neck where cats most love to be handled.

With great gentleness, while performing the massage, we need to synchronize the rhythm of our breathing with that of the cat until the harmony is complete and the resulting harmony will benefit both of us.

Cats , which are notoriously very sensitive beings, relax if the person who massages them is relaxed and positive : otherwise, it is better to avoid any contact because we would only transmit stress and nervousness to them.