About the therapist
My name is Margaret Alexander and I happily run MAX K9 Clinical Massage from my “dog house” based in Newton Mearns, Glasgow, offering Clinical Massage to dogs in and around Glasgow and the West of Scotland. I help to rehabilitate soft tissue and muscular injuries commonly seen as lameness and/or stiffness and help to support orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Following a sporting injury to my own dog Chica who competed in flyball and agility in 2016, I became aware of the existence and benefits of Clinical Canine Massage. This also coincided with my own desire to change career and finally leave insurance behind. Becoming a Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner would not only allow me to look after my own Agility dogs but to also help others.
I trained with the Canine Massage Therapy Centre for 2 years on the Clinical Canine Massage Practitioners programme under Natalie Lenton in January 2019 which gave me a detailed understanding of canine functional anatomy (skeleton, muscles and nerves) and physiology along with in depth training covering the 4 disciplines of massage;- Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, and Myofascial release including the Lenton Method™, all focused on their use specifically on the canine body.
I am also a member of the Canine Massage Guild – www.K9-massageguild.co.uk who began participating in the world’s first clinical trials on Canine Massage with Winchester University and Sparsholt University Centre in 2018. Our professional association maintains high standards by promoting strong code of ethics and conduct and ensures that all members complete a minimum of 25 hours Continuing Professional Development each year.
As a massage therapist I can help to
- Rehabilitate, improve flexibility, mobility and ease the pain following soft tissue and muscular injuries, commonly seen as lameness or slowing down.
- Support orthopaedic conditions such as Arthritis, Hip / Elbow Dysplasia, Luxating Patella and Spondylosis by improving the health and flexibility of muscles and tendons that have to work harder due to a joint weakness by reducing tightness, trigger points and relieving myofascial pain.
- Improve / speed up post operative recovery following certain surgeries such as Cruciate Ligament repair or Luxating Patella.
- Any dog can benefit from massage especially those where you have noticed a recent change, such as gait and/or posture irregularities, performance issues in sporting dogs, changes to their activities of daily living. Results can be seen between 1-3 sessions
Sessions
If you would like more details or find out how your dog can benefit from Clinical Canine Massage please get in touch.
£35/1 hour session
Home visits available
What is clinical Canine massage?
- It assists the rehabilitation of muscular injury commonly seen as lameness and/or stiffness.
- Helps to improve relaxation, joint flexibility and helps to boost the immune system.
- It can help alleviate pain and support orthopaedic conditions such as Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, Luxating Patella.
- Promoting the overall wellbeing of your dog it is a non-invasive therapy that treats the dog’s whole body, not only the area of pain.
It is suitable for sporting, working and pet dogs of all ages with results usually being seen in 1-3 sessions
Symptoms
Dogs are very good at hiding pain or injury, so it may not be obvious that your dog has an issue until it has become too much for them to conceal any longer. Symptoms can include:
- Change or irregularity in posture or gait.
- Recurring or intermittent lameness / limping.
- Hopping or skipping on hind legs.
- Stiffness or range of movement restrictions.
- Twitching skin / tickly spots when touched.
- Struggling or have difficulties with;- jumping on/off sofa, in/out of car or up/down stairs.
- Slowing down, seem old before their time.
- Reluctant to go for a walk.
- Problems getting up or lying down.
- Behaviour changes;- grumpy, snappy, depressed.
- Anxious/Nervous
- No longer wanting to play with other dogs.
- Reluctance to be groomed, touched, handled in an area.
- Nibbling or biting an area;- wrist / hind limbs
- Performance Issues in sporting or working dogs;- slowing down, measuring, dropping poles, refusing jumps, weave entry/exit issues.
- Diagnosed with an orthopaedic condition.
- Post operative support, such as cruciate surgery
Dog Owner tesimonials
Milly – Labradoodle
My darling Millie had recently had surgery for a luxating patella and six month later she was still limping and I was beginning to think that I would not get my happy active wee dog back again. A friend recommended I try massage for her and after speaking with Mags decided to go ahead. Can’t say how pleased I am with the results, I saw an improvement from the first session, particularly her persona and within 24 hours she was asking to go out for walks, which she had become reluctant to do. She now walks on all four legs and has not done that for so long, I cannot believe the improvement in her and I’m getting my wee dog back.
Maureen
Kara – West Highland Terrier
At first we were unsure whether Mags would be able to help Kara as we were unsure how she would react as she was not a dog that likes being touched, especially around her back end, but at 14 yrs old we thought she deserved it to see if it could improve her hind lameness. Pleased to say she responded much better than we thought she would, Mags was able to handle areas she would not normally let anyone near. After the three sessions Kara was so much more spritely and looking for interaction with us more often. We really appreciate what Mags has done for her and are sure that she will be back.
Lara
Teddy – Terrie
At first we were unsure whether Mags would be able to help Kara as we were unsure how she would react as she was not a dog that likes being touched, especially around her back end, but at 14 yrs old we thought she deserved it to see if it could improve her hind lameness. Pleased to say she responded much better than we thought she would, Mags was able to handle areas she would not normally let anyone near. After the three sessions Kara was so much more spritely and looking for interaction with us more often. We really appreciate what Mags has done for her and are sure that she will be back.
Thank you! Robert
Jess – Newfoundland
So glad we decided to try massage for Jess, our 9yr old arthritic newfie, she absolutely loved it! We can already see that she is less stiff and moving more freely, even tried to jump on the sofa, first for a long time. We will be back.
Ann
Taz & V – Border Collies
Thanks Margaret Alexander for your support, your skills, your knowledge and your absolute passion about what you do! You are, even just started in the k9 massage, for me and my dogs a bliss and an absolute enrichment. Keeping the dogs fit and healthy, for what we like to do best Agility! Please keep some space for us in the future, as I know your spaces will be very limited very soon!
Thanks from Taz, V and myself for keeping them in perfect shape.
Sandra
For more information on how your dog can benefit from clinical K9 massage ?
Get in Touch By Phone Or email
Address
19 Edzell Dr, Glasgow, G77 5QX
Phone
07817986194