Tightness & Hypertonicity occur to most people and dogs at some point in their lives. If your dog is living with a pre-existing condition, such as an orthopaedic condition or muscle injury, these two conditions can make hypertonicity worse as the range of motion is restricted, furthering pain and inhibiting movement and mobility.

Tightness

Refers to a muscle resting length. Tightness can also be seen as stiffness and lack of range of motion when a dog is on the move. Tightness will over-excite sensory receptors called Muscle Spindles which are responsible for detecting changes in the length of the muscle. When the muscle is tight the fascia becomes abnormal as it begins to tighten, stopping normal muscle function and producing nociceptive pain.

A tight & hypertonic muscle is a sick muscle…

  • Prone to injury i.e. a strain
  • Uncomfortable on a daily basis
  • Can be worse after rest and loosen up after exercise
  • Dull aching chronic pain
  • Formation of trigger point with associated referral papters
  • Cause deviations in normal posture
Hypertonicity

Hypertonic

Occurs when a muscle has too much resting tone. Feels hard and inflexible and is prone to trigger points when left (Knots), the muscle cannot relax efficiently to allow it to recuperate and renew as the muscle is held in a persistent state of contraction which fatigues it, leading to a pain cycle.

Benefits

  • Nipping tightness in the bud with massage can help reduce the likelihood of straining a muscle
  • Responds almost immediately to massage
  • Transform the muscle back to its optimal function
  • Supple, flexible muscle that has had the pain resolved
  • Back to normal activity
  • Improve comfort levels and mobility of your dog
  • Free adhesions that restrict fascia
  • Soften & loosen the tissue and promote its natural return to flexibility and pain free movement
  • Happier brighter and able to return to normal exercise and have back their general zest for life