Equine massage/muscle therapy is on the rise in the equine world. As studies continue to be taken, more people are realizing the value of tension release through massage. Many already knew that it helped in humans, but couldn’t fathom its effects on horses. The success of equine massage relates to the success in human massage. Muscles are comprised of three parts: the origin, belly and insertion. The origin attaches tendon to bone, the belly creates the contractions within the muscle, and the insertion crosses over a joint to help create movement. The section between the belly of the muscle and the tendon is called the musculotendinous junction (Scott, Falese 36). Equine muscles, like that of humans, are grouped in pairs. When one contracts, it pulls the attached bone towards itself. The opposing muscle must relax to allow this motion to occur. If the muscle does not fully relax, it limits the range of motion (Craft 39). This restriction can be alleviated through the release of “points.” Four types of ‘point therapies,’ some older and some newer, are stress points, trigger points, acupressure points and red light points.
According to Mike Scott and Joyce Falese, both of which are licensed and certified equine and human massage therapists, stress point therapy is “one of the most uncomplicated and easy to apply systems used in massage therapy.” Stress point therapy, or the Meagher Method, was developed by Jack Meagher over fifty years ago (Craft 38). This therapy focuses on the musculotendinous junction at the origin due to Meagher’s claim that most injuries and stress points occur there (Scott, Falese 36). The musculotendinous junction at the origin is the section between the muscle belly and tendon that attaches to the more stationary bone of the pair, so it only makes sense that stresses and tears occur there.
As strain builds at the junction, by working the muscle pair, muscle knots and spasms form. These knots and spasms, or painful involuntary contractions within the muscle, cause the horse discomfort. Meagher’s stress point therapy intends to relieve these knots via compression, cross-fiber friction and direct pressure to prevent injury, promote healing, and restore free range of motion. Compression, compressing with the palm of a hand, widens the muscle fibers. Cross-fiber friction, or rubbing across the “grain” of the muscle fibers, separates the muscle. And direct pressure, applied with the thumb or braced finger, alters the area’s blood flow, and once released, causes increased circulation on the stress point (Craft 43-44). Though straightforward and even mapped out, if direct pressure is not applied to the exact stress point, full release will not be achieved. If the stress point is directly affected by pressure, studies have shown that it will increased the horse’s range of motion to improve performance.
Tigger point therapy, also known as Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, was introduced in 1983 by Drs. Janet Travell and Dr. David G. Simons with their release of “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction-The Trigger Point Manual” (“About Trigger Points…”). Trigger points, or abnormally irritable and sensitive areas of tissue, can be found in any part of the muscle, be it the origin, belly, insertion, or musculotendinous junctions. Tigger points are caused by stress, strain, or overexertion of the muscle or an area of muscle. Travell and Simons labeled trigger points as ‘active,’ the main location of pain, or ‘latent,’ points associated with a primary point (Scott, Falese 37). Initially, trigger points, mainly ‘active’ points, were treated with injectable anesthetic solution that would interrupt the spasm or pain to allow for release (Scott, Falese 37).
Bonnie Prudden, the founder of Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy and author of sixteen books including “Pain Erasure: The Bonnie Prudden Way,” changed this practice. Prudden received injections from Travell to help with her own pain. While working with Desmond Tivy, who also injected for pain relief, she began developing her myotherapy. Prudden would mark the trigger points and Tivy would inject. Prudden noticed that on some trigger points she would press down longer or harder and the trigger point would dissipate (“About Bonnie Prudden”). Prudden spent the next four years researching, and developed a treatment using finger pressure for roughly seven seconds (Scott, Falese 37). After perfecting her methods in humans, Prudden turned to animals and adapted her techniques to relieve pain and tension within their muscles. As stated before, equine and human muscles are generally the same, so it’s no shock that Prudden’s methods effected horse’s muscles the same. This natural, non-invasive technique has now been adopted by many equine massage therapists.
Acupressure point therapy was formed by westerners, countries west of Asia, off of the ideal of Acupuncture. Acupuncture originated in ancient Asian cultures and involves the use of sterile acupuncture needles, injections, lasers, or mild electrical pulses to treat points (Scott, Falese 37). In an attempt to change this invasive form of treatment, westerners began treating the same points with pressure and noticed positive results. Acupressure points are different than those of trigger and stress points in their location and purpose.
Acupressure points are treated in hopes to restore a body’s “Chi” or “Qi”. Chi is the body’s internal system of energy (Thompson). Acupressure points fall within this energy system, mostly along meridians. Meridians are where energy runs together to form a river that flows throughout the body. There are twelve primary meridians and eight strange flow channels used by acupressure therapists. The twelve primary meridians, those of which are paired, are believed to affect organs, as they all are named after one: Lung Meridian, Small Intestine Meridian, etc. (Thompson). The eight strange flow channels are not paired, and are believed to affect different functions than that of the primary meridians.
Once an active acupressure point is found, direct pressure should be applied to relieve that point. The pressure can be deep, light, sustained, or intermittent; it all depends on the horse. If the touch is too deep, the horse my become fidgety and uncomfortable; if the touch is too light, the desired result will not occur. Diana Thompson, a known and respected acupressure therapist, stated to only use the pressure the horse is completely comfortable with. Once the right amount of pressure is applied, it should be held for one to three minutes depending on the attitude of the horse and the severity of the point. Once released, it is believed that proper energy flow will be restored and it will “recharge the individual” (Scott, Falese 37).
Light Therapy dates back hundreds of years ago when sunlight was known to promote health. Through research, we know that sunlight promotes vitamin D production which is an essential vitamin for good health. With continued research, in 1893, Niels Finsen published the effects of different wavelengths of light on skin. He discovered that certain wavelengths generated healing properties and soon began treating people with lupus vulgaris, a skin condition that causes lesions on the neck and face, and tuberculosis (“The History…,” Gentry). With forty years of independent research, it has been concluded that Light Therapy has therapeutic benefits on living tissues (Gentry). NASA advanced scientist experiments by discovering that red light stimulates plant growth and cell repair (“The History…”). When in space, astronauts used red light technology, that proved to simulate cell growth and healing, for any injury (Gentry, “The History…”).
This FDA approved treatment has proved to encourage collagen production, ATP release, circulation, cellular metabolism, phagocytic activity, and reduce swelling, muscle strain and stress (Gentry, Photonic Health). In horses in particular, Red Light has proven to work on acute injury, allergies, anhydrosis, colic, heaves, hyoid, laminitis, navicular, viral infections, etc. (Photonic Health). Many companies including, Photonic Health and Equinix, have created red-light machines that both professionals and horse owners can purchase. The red-light itself, penetrates deep into muscles, but is painless for the client. When the light is placed directly on acupressure/acupuncture points and trigger points, significant results can be noticed. Many practitioners use red light in place of finger pressure on severely active or sensitive points. Casie, a graduate of Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and Red Light enthusiast, states that she uses her red light for sensitive points, sore or tight muscles and joints, and injuries such as torn ligaments. She states that her horses respond quite well to the therapy. There are no known side effects of red light therapy, so it is considered a very safe modality for someone looking for an alternative healing method.
Massage therapy, as a whole, should and does encompass many forms of point therapies, those discussed and others. Equine massage therapy, though there are many sceptics, is becoming more popular. Many horse owners and horse professionals are exploring the field in order to better understand the treatment processes. The goal of massage is to release muscle adhesions, stress, strain and spasm without being invasive. With that being said, massage does have both positive effects and negative effects. The positive effects include increased circulation, improved performance and reduced recovery times. There is a lot of education that should proceed those trying to employ massage strokes. Though massage strokes such as effleurage and compression are relatively harmless, a thorough understanding of what lies beneath the hands would be beneficial in any application. Negative effects, such as muscle bruising and lameness, can proceeded treatment when the application is too harsh. So, do research and learn anatomy before employing any strokes. Help the horse feel their best, so they can perform the best.
Works Cited
“About Bonnie Prudden.” Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy. 2017.
http://www.bonnieprudden.com/about-bonnie-prudden/.
“About Trigger Points and Trigger Point Therapy.” David G. Simons Academy. 2017.
http://www.dgs-academy.com/en/trigger-point-therapy/trigger-point-therapy/.
Casie. “Red Light Therapy for Horses.” The Naturally Healthy Horse. 5 March 2014.
http://thenaturallyhealthyhorse.com/red-light-therapy-horses/.
Craft, Vanessa. “Sports Massage in Dressage.” Dressage Today. 1999, pp. 38-44.
Sportsmassageinc.
Gentry, Teri. “The History of Light Therapy.” Gentry Aesthetics. WordPress. 2009.
http://terigentryaesthetics.com/the-history-of-light-therapy/.
Photonic Health LLC. 2017. https://photonichealth.com.
Scott, Mike and Joyce Falese. “What’s the Point? Massage Therapy for Treatment of Muscle
Release Points.” Natural Horse Magazine. Vol. 6, Issue 4, No. 6, pp. 36-37.
Thompson, Diana. Diana Thompson, Hands On Horse Care.
http://www.dianathompson.com/index.html. Accessed 11 Nov. 2017.