Massage Therapy--It's Not Just for Humans
by Linda Gerlach
Like many people these days, I lead a
physically active lifestyle. Although there are
many positive benefits to being active, the
downside is that I often experienced pain from
sore muscles.  I had concerns about using pain
medication on a regular basis. So I then began
a search for an alternative treatment, and I tried
massage therapy, discovering its valuable
attributes and incorporating it into my routine
health care plan.

Horses have played a big part of my life over 45 years. I therefore began to look
into what forms of alternative modalities were available for them. I found that many
adjunctive therapies such as acupuncture, massage work, aromatherapy and a
variety of others are also available for equines.  Since I was most familiar with
massage therapy, I decided to focus on that and became a certified equine
massage therapist in 2001.

A more holistic approach using alternative methods is now preferred by many
horsemen.  This means that in order to create an environment for the maintenance
or restoration of health the total picture must be taken into consideration.  It is
important to look not only at the problem, but what causes it.

A horse’s body mass is composed of 60% muscle. The body will strive to heal,
replenish and maintain itself, but it is important to have the right conditions present.
Massage work is one of the ways of helping to bring about those conditions, and is
considered by many to be one of the oldest forms of therapy. It can help restore
and maintain muscle flexibility, improve recovery times and most important of all—
help prevent future injury.

Muscular problems can happen in any number of ways. They can be caused by
overwork, ill fitting equipment, an unbalanced rider, or a misplaced foot in a muddy
pasture. No matter what the cause, when a muscle becomes tight it is easier for it
to tear or pull. The surrounding muscles can then be more susceptible to fatigue.
This may also result in a decrease in circulation. When one muscle tires,
surrounding ones must work harder to compensate. This may in turn result in small
tears and spasms due to exertion.

When correctly administered, equine sports massage therapy can directly treat
these tight problem areas by manipulating and breaking up the adhesions in order
to separate and relieve the muscle fiber, thus restoring it to its natural state.  
Another benefit of this modality is that it may also aid in regulating the circulatory
and nervous systems.

Massage therapy may also help relieve tension, enhance muscle tone, improve
overall disposition, increase the range of notion, ease arthritis discomfort, increase
the secretion of toxins, help reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints and
enhance the immune systems.  Because of this, almost all horses can benefit from
massage work, whether they are heavy competitors or retired pasture friends.

Massage work is considered a non-invasive therapy, although there are times
when it may be contraindicated. It also should never be considered as a substitute
for proper veterinary care.

Linda Gerlach CESMT is from Mansfield, IL. She was certified in November of 2001 at the
Institute of Equine Therasage in Janesville, WI and has been practicing in the East Central
Illinois area since that time. In order to expand her knowledge base she has followed
through with continuing educational opportunities whenever possible. This has included
participating in a clinic for certified therapists conducted by Mike Scott, a nationally
recognized massage therapist and instructor (www.equinemmt.com), and has also attended a
clinic for massage therapists on hoof care issues and related muscular problems which was
conducted by a certified journeyman farrier.