Natural therapies for pets: reflexology
Natural therapies that in the past have typically been used on humans are now finding popularity with those who treat our companion animals. Most people who use natural therapies for their own wellbeing are frequently turning to these treatments for their pets. Pet owners are embracing massage therapy, acupuncture and homœopathy for their animal friends as gentle, cost-effective and beneficial alternatives.
How natural therapies can help your pets
Natural therapies can significantly help your pets by offering a non-toxic alternative to health and healing.
Reflexology is based on the idea that the ears, face and feet of a person or animal represent a map of the whole body. By touching just the feet, outer ears and face you can have an effect on the whole body. This is because they connect to energy pathways that travel through the body to particular organs, structures or glands.
Reflexology is a form of therapeutic touch that can create a deep relaxation response and promote healing in the body. During a reflexology session, breathing and heart rates slow and the nervous system begins to relax. The electrical activity in the brain is lowered so your companion animal enters a meditative state, allowing the cells in the body to regenerate.
Holistic animal health exports claim hand and foot reflexology used in humans has application in dogs and cats, too. The important energy points in the paws are:
- Toes or tips of the paws
- Upper paw pad
- Middle paw pad
- Mid-lower paw pad
- Tops of the paw
- Inner edge of paw and lower leg
How can natural therapies work on pets?
Humans and animals share a similar anatomy and physiology. We are affected by many of the same health concerns and are conventionally treated with many of the same antibiotics and steroids. We also have identical energy centres and energy pathways (nerves and meridians) throughout the body and also experience a range of emotions over the day. This is why natural therapies such as reflexology may benefit our pets as well as ourselves.
The need for animal reflexology
Natural therapies such as reflexology offer a range of benefits to pets. For instance, our pets are exposed to a range of preservatives and toxins, including those in commercial pet food. Therefore, reflexology may be helpful in cleansing the body of wastes and detoxifying the organs.
Our pets also experience stress. Stress has been found to contribute to a significant number of illnesses in pets. Almost all body functions and organs are affected by stress. As animals have a lower threshold for stress, natural therapies such as reflexology offer ways to diffuse tension, provide stress relief and allow relaxation.
If you decide to try reflexology on your pet it’s best that the practitioner has an emotional bond with the animal to aid relaxation. Remember that patience is key. While some animals may instantly embrace reflexology, for others it may take time to accept it.
Bonding with your pets through natural therapies
Using touch therapies on our pets helps to rebalance the human-animal bond. Nurturing touch helps communicate on a non-verbal level trust, acceptance, comfort, relaxation and unconditional love.
Healing can take place both inside and outside a conventional Western medical model. More pet owners are embracing natural therapies due to their effectiveness and value. Reflexology and other natural therapies are exciting ways to work side by side with veterinary care so true healing can take place.
