Strong Immune System = Healthy Dog
By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Resources.
Your dog’s immune system is everything. His health is highly dependent on how well his immune system is protecting him from pathogens lurking in the environment, in food, and even in your house. There’s just nothing more important than your dog’s immune system because any breakdown means his health can be compromised.
The immune system has a huge job. Your dog is constantly being bombarded with allergens from plants, bugs, fertilizers, and household chemicals. Plus, a trip to the dog park or doggie daycare exposes him to bacterial and viral pathogens. When his immune system is strong, great, no problem, he’s healthy. Actually, a moderate level of daily exposure to allergy-causing irritants and other pathogens can even make the dog’s immune system strong. His natural resistance builds when challenged by exposure to pathogens.
Health issues arise when the dog’s body is not able to resist pathogens because his immune system is weak. Allergies, respiratory problems, digestion issues, inflammation, and other immuno-mediated diseases are all due to a compromised immune system according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Ancient Chinese Medicine
Luckily, Chinese medicine is all about the immune system. According to TCM, every health issue goes back to the body’s ability to resist external pathogens and maintain internal balance. The key word here is “balance.” In Chinese medicine health is when chi, (also seen as qi, pronounced “chee”), the essential life-promoting force, is flowing in a harmoniously balanced fashion throughout the animal’s body. Any disruption to the smooth and balanced flow of chi and blood interrupts the balance of the body.
When there’s an imbalance of chi and blood the health of the animal is compromised. Chi is unable to vitalize the body and blood can’t moisten and nourish the body. This, in turn, leads to the internal organs not being able to function properly. The resulting domino-effect is that the immune system becomes weakened and your dog becomes vulnerable to pathogens.
Chinese medicine practitioners focus on restoring and supporting the balanced, harmonious flow of chi and blood. There are energetic pathways, or meridians, where chi and blood flow throughout the dog’s body. Along these meridians there are pools of energy called “acupoints.”
We can influence the flow of chi and blood by stimulating specific acupoints known to have the effect we intend.
Acupressure Session
Acupressure, like acupuncture, is based on Chinese medicine. The only difference between acupressure and acupuncture is that in acupressure you don’t use needles to stimulate acupoints, you can use your thumb or index finger. By following the acupressure chart for Immune System Strengthening you can support your dog’s health and help him maintain a balanced flow of chi and blood. His immune system can only benefit from your efforts.
Each of the acupoints selected for this acupressure session are commonly used to boost the immune system.
These four acupoints are powerful allies in making sure your dog’s immune system is up to the job of protecting him from illness. When you and he are out and about you can have a good time without concern because his body is strong and healthy.
Hand Techniques
There are two basic techniques of stimulating acupoints: Thumb Technique and Two-Finger Technique.
Thumb Technique – Place the soft tip of your thumb on the acupoint gently and count to 20 very slowly then move to the next point. The Thumb Technique works best on larger dogs and on medium-sized dog’s trunk and neck.
Two-Finger Technique – Place your middle finger on top of your index finger to create a little tent. Then lightly put the soft tip of your index finger on the acupoint and count to 20 slowly. This technique is good for working on small dogs and lower extremities on mid to large dogs.
Remember: Your dog has two sides – stimulate the acupoints on both the right and left side of your dog.
Acupressure offers you and your dog thousands of years of health and wellbeing. It’s safe, always available, and gentle yet powerful. Tallgrass has all the resources you need to learn and apply canine acupressure-massage. There’s an Online Training program especially for dog guardians, plus, ACU-DOG: A Guide to Canine Acupressure book, Meridian Charts, Apps, and a website with articles and blogs to get started here. Email: tallgrass@animalacupressure.com
