Individual care · Veterinary consent
Myofascial pain
Pain coming from muscle and the fascia surrounding it, rather than from a joint.
What it is
Not all pain comes from joints. Muscle, and the fascia — the connective tissue wrapping and linking it — can be a source of discomfort in their own right. Myofascial pain often follows injury, overwork or long-standing compensation, and it can persist after the original problem has settled. It is easily missed, because scans and X-rays of the joints may look unremarkable.
What you might notice
- Sensitivity or flinching when a particular area is touched
- Movement that looks restricted rather than lame
- A change in temperament, or reluctance to be groomed or handled
- Difficulty settling, or repeatedly changing position
- Discomfort that does not match what imaging has shown
These are things owners commonly describe. They are not a diagnosis, and several of them overlap with other conditions — only your vet can tell you what is actually going on.
How massage may help
This is core massage territory. Shanice’s two years of training with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre covered myofascial release and the Lenton Method alongside Swedish, sports and deep tissue techniques, all of which address soft tissue directly. Veterinary consent remains necessary, both to rule out other causes and because your vet may want to treat something alongside.
Talk to Shanice about your dog
A diagnosis is only one part of the story. Two dogs with the same condition can need quite different care, depending on their age, temperament, routine and what they love doing. Share your dog’s veterinary history when you enquire and Shanice will talk through whether massage is appropriate for them.
Treatment complements your dog’s veterinary care, takes place in your own home, and requires signed veterinary consent.
Enquire about a session