Since this was Tez's first massage likely I tried to figure out what types of strokes he would respond best to, in addition to the amount of pressure. I think too light of a technique is too stimulating, and it is great to begin with, but then he ideally responds more to an increase in pressure. He was a little tender and sensitive at the poll. Then worked down neck.

Being that this is the troubled side I really focused on muscle areas above and below shoulder blade. #1: Brachiocephalicus #2: Rhomboid #3: Trapezius (cervical portion) #4: Trapezius (thoracic portion) #5: Deltoid were very tight and had lots of tension as to be expected. Used Stroking for soothing, relaxing, and calming. Used a combination of Compression (loose fists) and Percussion strokes to release muscle tension. Used to affect the deeper muscles of #6: Splenius #7: Serratus Ventralis (cervical portion). Vibration is a quivering type of movement (progressively increasing pressure by a few pounds to the point of stretching the muscle) to reduce adhesions; relax nervous system and sooth sore muscles. Need to spend lots of time here and incorporate some Sore No More with it.

Muscles of the forearm and chest were surprisingly supple and holding just some congestion as in #4: Triceps Brachia. #1: Biceps (biceps brachii) and #2: Anterior Superficial (descending) Pectoral felt congested. #3: Deltoid (deltoideus) and muscles above (shown in next block) felt overdeveloped, and larger than normal or for Tez's size and condition. However these may be increased, in my opinion, because he needs larger muscle mass to compensate for the loss at the shoulder blade. Remembering that the entire forelimb and shoulder is held in place so to speak just by muscles, this overdevelopment kind of makes sense, so he can still perform.

Used lots of flat hand stroking and compressions, as well as cross fiber work to try and stretch and release all these important flexor and extensor muscles. #1: Extensor Carpi Radialis #2: Common Digital Extensor #3: Lateral Ulnar (extensor carpi ulnaris) #4: Lateral Digital Extensor.

#1: Latissimus Dorsi #2: Longissimus Dorsi were back muscles I focused on the most because they act a sling of sorts for neck and hind. Relieving tension and soreness here will ideally help release of areas of concern in neck and hind that seem to be chronically tense and painful. These muscles tightness can be relieved with heal presses and used tips of the thumbs (thumb bands) across the grain of the muscle to restore tissue mobility and break down any adhesions in the muscle tissue. Friction strokes will reduce muscle spasms and release dense or congested muscle tissue, thus producing heat, assists in removal of metabolic wastes from tissue and helps increase lymph circulation. Steadily maintained Deep Direct Pressure to obstruct blood flow in that area and break up knots. Deep Direct Pressure interferes with muscle spasms and neutralizes chronic pain and holding patterns. Incorporated some intercostal work #6: External Intercostals and Used Muscle Squeezing to decongest relax muscle tension and increase circulation. #3: External Abdominal Oblique #4: Deep Pectoral (ascending pectoral) #5: Serratus Ventralis (thoracic portion). Relieving and relaxing muscles below with strengthen and build muscles of the top line of back....you ideally want to build the top from below.

Tez really relaxed nicely and began to lick and chew more working on his gluteals and hamstrings....indicating that this is an area to focus on next time as well. Particularly #1: Semitendinosus #2: Semimembranosus (medial) #3: Middle Gluteal #4: Biceps Femoris. #5: Superficial Gluteal #6: Facia Latae #7: Tensor Facia Latae felt dense. 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. Used Percussion (rhythmical impacts used in rapid succession) to relax chronic muscular tension.