Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (44 page)

To know all the 40 stress points common to the active horse will
give you a strong advantage when massaging your horse. With
practice you will become familiar with each location. The trouble
spot routine will keep your horse at the top of its fitness. This
knowledge of the equine stress point will improve the quality of
your work and will bring lasting results.

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EQUINE MYOFASCIAL

MASSAGE

Myofascial therapy is probably one of the most important evolu-tions in alternative medicine. Today, more and more massage and physical therapists are using the myofascial technique for preventive, maintenance, and recovery treatments. Since the horse’s musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology are so similar to humans, this beneficial technique can easily be adapted to the horse.

Myofascial therapy
specializes in dealing with the myofascial system of the body, which includes fascial layers, fascial bands, retinaculum, ligaments, and tendons. Any kind of tissue irritation, discomfort, or injury will reflect on the entire myofascial system causing referred pain and restrictions in movement, eventually affecting the entire quality and quantity of motion, gait, and posture of the subject.

Flexibility of the fascia, muscles, ligaments, and joints plays an important role in enhancing performance, rehabilitation, and wellness of the active horse. Regular massage and proper stretching provide the basis for optimal agility, coordination, speed, and most importantly, flexibility. It is important to remember that the primary obstacle to optimal flexibility is the tightness of the surrounding muscles and fascia of a joint, or group of joints.

From human practice we know that most people find myofascial release sessions very relaxing. However, because these sessions are deep reaching, they can trigger major energy releases and changes, resulting in temporary feelings from tiredness to stimulation. These reactions are usually considered a good sign, showing that the body is going through the healing process. Allow your animal plenty of rest after your session. During the course of several myofascial release sessions your horse will regain a more balanced posture, regular gait, and more vitality, as his body is realigned and freed from pain.

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The myofascial massage starts with a visual evaluation followed by a palpation to evaluate the entire fascial system. Then a three-dimensional, hands-on application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system is used to eliminate the fascial restrictions.This approach will further help you to feel, touch, and listen to your horse’s real needs.

Myofascial massage, combined with regular massage, allows you to contribute to proper equine massage maintenance, while deepening the bonds of trust and compassion with your horse.

The Fascial System

The fascial system of the horse is similar to our own. It can be seen as a multi-layer body wrapping, weaving in layers throughout the body with fascial sheaths wrapping the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs, giving our body structural integrity and strength.You could visualize the fascia layer as a big stocking that wraps the body but is flexible. Because of this, stress recorded in any area of the body will affect all other areas of the body as well.

Furthermore, the fascial network serves as an extensive water storage system, facilitating the regulation of the homeostasis of the body by contributing to the removal of toxins.

11.1 Superficial Fascial Layer Illustrated as a Stocking

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What Is Fascia?

Fascia is a tough, whitish, collagenous fiber known as
connective tissue.
Fascia spreads throughout the entire body in a 3-dimensional way. As its name implies, the connective tissue (fascia) connects everything and everything is interconnected. Fascia is found everywhere without interruption, functioning as a web.This web gives strength and support to the entire body from head to toe.

Connective tissue is made up of
collagen
which gives fascia its physical strength,
elastin
which gives fascia elasticity where it is required (skin, blood vessels), and a polysaccharide
gel complex,
a substance that fills the space between fibers and allows the fibers to slide over each other with minimal friction. This combination of collagen, elastin, and gel complex forms a three-dimensional, interdependent fascial system of strength, support, elasticity, and cushion, allowing for greater absorption of compressive force and mechanical stresses. If injured, dehydrated, or under repetitive or continuous stress, the hardening of the gel complex is equivalent to pouring glue into the interstitial space resulting in a hard, non-giving fasciae. This decreases the fascia’s flexibility and elasticity.

Over time, the hardened fascia will cause the animal to first develop restricted movements and eventually an abnormal gait.

The Fascial System and Its Functions

The fascial system is divided into two basic categories: subcutaneous and subserous.

The
subcutaneous fascia
has two distinct layers that form continuous sheets over the entire body, superficial and deep, and it connects the skin, muscles, and skeletal structures. The subcutaneous fascial system consists of layers of loose and dense connective Tendon

Muscle

Fascia wrapping

11.2 Fascial Covering of Muscle, Muscle Fibers, and Bundles

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1

4

2

5

3

6

7

8

9

13

14

10

11

15

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11.3 Fascial Denomination

(1) cervical fascia

(9) antebrachial fascia

(2) omobrachial fascia

(10) carpal fascia

(3) thoracolumbar fascia

(11) metacarpal fascia

(4) gluteal fascia

(12) digital fascia

(5) femoral fascia

(13) crural fascia

(6) thorax fascia

(14) tarsal fascia

(7) fascia latae

(15) metatarsal fascia

(8) abdominal fascia

tissue that make up the “fascial bands.” In turn these fascial bands make up the superficial and deep fascia layers, the loose fascia, the retinaculum, the ligaments, and tendons. The fascia system surrounds, protects, separates, supports, and connects everything throughout the entire body.

Subserous fascia
lines the body cavities, such as the pelvis and rib cage.The subserous fascia protects the organs by suspending them to the skeletal and muscle structures.

Physical Properties of Fascia

Fascia as a shock absorber:
The collagen, elastin, and gel complex combination provides the fascia with strength and elasticity, allowing the body to resist mechanical stress, both internally and externally.

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Fascia as a tension sensor:
Another property of the fascia is its ability to conduct micro-currents created by the body. When the fascia is stimulated, it sends information back to the central nervous system affecting proprioceptive information. In this way, fascia acts as a sensor of mechanical tension.

Fascia as water storage:
The fascia is able to store water. Hydrated fibrous tissue creates a smooth coating, allowing fascia structures to glide over each other without friction.When a horse gets dehydrated its smooth, hydrated matrix changes consistency, creating adherence to tissues as if they were partially glued.This gluing creates tension, fatigue, and leads to ischemia and build up of metabolic toxins.

Fascia and scar tissue:
Proportional to the amount of scar tissue formation, the fascia becomes rigid and loses its flexibility.

Fascial knots:
When the fascia is irritated, it contracts and twists and turns throughout the body.The fascia becomes rigid and loses its flexibility. Fascia reorganizes itself along the lines of tension created and imposed by pain on the body, providing support and protection from further trauma. Based on those patterns, layers of fascia start to glue to one another, resulting in fascial knots. Over time this phenomenon alters the gait, flexibility, and muscle power of the animal.

Fascia and the autonomic nervous system:
The fascia has a close relationship to the autonomic nervous system to the extent that autonomic ganglia are embedded into the fascial matrix.

Human studies have suggested that autonomic dysfunction may arise from fascial dysfunction. Fascial disruption affects circulation and nourishment of these autonomic ganglia, resulting in aberrant dysfunction of the smooth muscle such as poor digestion or cardiac irregularity.

Fascia as an information exchange network:
Fascia is considered a semi-conducting communication network, conveying bioelectric signals between every part of the body along the fascial lines.Therefore, the ever changing aspect of the fascial system pro-foundly influences every other aspect of the body (muscles, nerves, blood vessels, bones, and organs) and their interrelationship.

Fascial Restrictions—Cross-links

The formation of elastocollagenous cross-links within the connective tissue (fascia) is often seen following a trauma, a mechanical irritation, or inflammation.These cross-links form restrictions
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at the nodal points where the various layers of fascia are designed to glide over each other.This reduces the gliding motion, causing a reduction in the quantity and the quality of motion.This affects the horse’s gait, which in turn affects his performance.

Fascia and Muscle Imbalance

Sometimes over-training or under-training schedules result in an imbalance in the muscle groups of the horse.This in turn leads to strains or tears, especially during quick acceleration or deceleration movements, or strong pushes.The pain triggered by such strains or tears will affect the entire fascia system, as the animal will compensate in order to avoid the pain and maintain optimal performance.

Fascia and Emotional Memory

Horses, like humans, have an innate protective mechanism that keeps record of any type of trauma (physical, mental, and nutri-tional) in order to avoid this trauma again. This coding of traumatic experiences is termed
“emotional memory.”
When working with myofascial release, you will most likely find some restriction barriers that will trigger an emotional memory in the animal.

Always observe the feedback signs your horse expresses and progress cautiously. A change in breathing rhythms or an intense expression in the eyes are very revealing of this condition.

Preparation

Preparation is crucial as it will insure the good development of your session. It will also save you time and help you avoid mis-takes. Remember the old axiom “Being prepared is half the bat-tle.” Being prepared will allow you to work at your best ability for the benefit of your animal.

Attitude

Whenever you apply myofascial massage techniques, it is important to be relaxed. Become focused and very attentive, constantly assessing the sensations your fingers give you as well as observing your horse’s feedback signs.

Do not let your mind wander. We have a tendency to let our left brain dominate, leading to rationalization and criticism thereby reducing our perceptions. By practicing relaxation, we allow the right brain to dominate, giving us more nonverbal intu-ition. Consider taking gentle and regular deep breaths; it will help you stay focused, yet relaxed. When you allow both hemispheres
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of your brain to function in harmony, the balance will enhance your perception and effectiveness.

Observation

Develop a keen sense of observation and a sharp eye to detect any musculoskeletal asymmetries in the horse’s posture at rest, when moving, or when playing. First look at your horse globally, comparing the various body parts in relation to each other: note the size, proportion, and alignment. Get a general impression of the horse’s state of health and fitness, and the quality of the muscular structure, section by section. Next, observe any physical restrictions in his various gaits: walk, trot, and canter.This simple act of observation can already reveal a lot to you.

Touch—The Four T’s

Using the four T’s—tension, texture, tenderness, and temperature (see chapter 3) can tell you a lot. Before you proceed with treatment, please review the section on the four T’s.

Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm

Pressure:
The pressure used in myofascial release is very gentle.

The evolution of myofascial release techniques in many human disciplines has taught us that in order to get the release of fascial restriction we only need to exert a light pressure and/or stretch for a period of time over the area of myofascial restriction. The fluidity of the movements coupled with light pressure allows for a better relaxation of the tissues.

During myofascial release you will mostly use pressure starting at 1 pound and building up to 3 to 5 pounds, sometimes 10 to 12, depending on the size of the horse and the location you are working on.

Contact:
To maximize your hand contact with the fascial layers of your horse, keep your hands flexible at all times, molding them to his body parts.As you always start your contact with light pressure, your hands will give your horse a pleasurable sensation of comfort.Then gently build your pressure to the point where you meet the barrier and wait for release. The comforting touch will relax your horse and help him accept the soreness that is sometimes associated with this process. Then as you progressively release your pressure, the same comforting touch will give your horse a feeling of continuity, ensuring connection and comfort.

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