Massage

Myotherapy is a healing modality that seeks to restore health and enhance athletics and performance ability. This is achieved through various types of massage and stretching. There are different forms of massage of which I most commonly utilize both the Swedish and Sport Massage.

Swedish (Traditional) Massage was developed by combining Oriental, Middle Eastern and European folk massage. Long strokes, kneading and friction are used on the superficial layers of muscle tissue to help lengthen muscles and keep the soft tissues supple. A secondary benefit is the flushing of metabolic wastes

Sports Massage was developed by Jack Meager (Masseur for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team). It combines techniques of Swedish massage with Stress point intervention. Stress points are a result of micro-tearing of fibers and form a ‘knot' that hold a muscle or portion thereof in spasm. This style of massage helps release stress points and facilitate peak muscles action while lowering the risk of injury.

Stretching is the elongation of muscle bodies and sometimes of tendons. Tendons and muscles require flexibilty to provide better shock absorption to reduce injury risk. The strength of a muscle is dependant upon its ability to contract (shorten), thus tight muscles have reduced strength and ROM. Tense muscles increase energy expenditure and accelerate muscle fatigue. Being that performance is dependant upon strength and duration, stretching is integral to any training program. All this reduces injury risk and increases available energy for greater performance.

Muscular diseases are many times a component of reduced performance of the sport horse. Two commonly associated diseases are Muscular Strain and Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (Azoturia, Tying-up). In both, muscle fibers are damaged resulting with leakage of cellular fluids into the surronding tissues causing pain. The removal of these fluids and waste products can be enhanced by massage. It is important that you consult with your veterinarian for any contraindications.