Cookie enjoyed light rubs and scratches on her #1: Masseter. At #2: Rhomboid had tension, going down her neck, along mane line.

Continuing down her neck I focused on #1: Brachiocephalicus. This is a primary mover for the forelimb and will help Cookie extend her leg and hopefully help with flexibility and elongating those contracted tendons in forelimb. Also focused on #2: Trapezius (cervical portion) and #3: Trapezius (thoracic portion) to help relieve tension in shoulders.

I was surprised to feel that her pectorals #1: Anterior Superficial (descending) Pectoral were not not as tight or tendor from holding stress and pain from left foreleg. Working up into #2: Biceps (biceps brachii) and #3: Triceps Brachii were very tight and felt ropy (a string of knots). Used Stroking for soothing, relaxing, to start on triceps then used kneading in a rhythmic, circular motion (small half-circles overlapping one another, pushing outward)to boost circulation and improve oxygenation of muscle bundles and fibers.

Working down the limb (especially on left) I attempted to do some light stretching of extensor and flexor muscles and tendons. Since these have all contracted and somewhat stayed due to fracture at elbow I tried to stretch and "awaken" these important muscles. I used light pressure then increased it using squeezing, thumb bands across in a cross fiber friction type movement. The goal here especially is to warm, stretch and elongate the #1: Extensor Carpi Radialis, #2: Common Digital Extensor, #3: Lateral Ulnar (extensor carpi ulnaris), and #4: Lateral Digital Extensor.

#1: Latissimus Dorsi and #2: Longissimus Dorsi are holding lots of tension and have very little movement. Cookie reacted well to Skin Rolling (thumbs on one side and fingers on the other) to grasp and lift the skin to maintain a healthy, shining coat and elasticity of the skin, along #3: External Intercostal muscles up into her latissimus. Also used some light Compression (a rhythmic pumping action employing the palm and heal of hand administered in an inward and upward manner) to alleviate muscle spasms, just below vertebrae column. Hair pulls were effective here in gaining her attention and loosening superficial tension to start. She allowed quite a bit of pressure along #4: Deep Pectoral (ascending pectoral) which is good in helping with tension from forelimb. Back along spine going along her lumbar into her middle gluteal (see next section), is a raised thick and tight bundle of muscle. She will allow pressure here but arches and relaxes her back in reaction, with some muscle spasms posterior and anterior to this spot. It seems slightly more tender on her right. She most likely counters a lot of her weight here, to get off her left front. Definitely a spot to work on as she indicated.

Cookie is holding a lot of her weight in her lower back and hind so she doen't put weight on her troubled left forelimb. This is affecting her overall movement especially from hips. She did indicate clearly though how much she liked gluteal muscle work. She relaxed into good rocking back and forth that helped her entire body relax, from swaying in the neck all the way down. Good movement after a while in #1: Middle Gluteal and #2: Superficial Gluteal. Used lots of Used Compression (a rhythmic pumping action employing the palm and heal of hand administered in an inward and upward manner) to alleviate muscle spasms, and later applied Petrissage (a firm kneading and squeezing of the muscles using circular thumbs, circular fingertips, folding and vibration) to open and release muscles and improve circulation, loosen fascia and knotted tissue. She allowed some Percussion (rhythmical impacts used in rapid succession) to relax chronic muscular tension, with loose fists or cupped hands. Percussion and friction help here to access the deeper muscles that are hard to access. She loved firm kneading on #3: Semitendinosus and #4: Semimembranosus (medial). Good changes in her breathing and lots of licking and chewing, all good reaction signs.