I have seen quite a few dogs who have a short choppy gait in the thoracic limbs and their neck muscles are very tight though no forelimb lameness or obvious pain with side glide of the C-spine. Several of these dogs also have patellar luxation. Though some of the muscle tension/strain around the neck and shoulders may be due to weight shifting to transfer weight off of the pelvic limbs, I believe some of the tension/tightness is due to the straight shoulder angle and the short choppy gait. I believe that these changes may lead to issues with the C-spine in the future. I am wondering what would be the best way to address the muscle tension and to try to prevent future problems. Do you think massage and stretching would be the best treatment plan? Anything to avoid, such as jumping down, which puts more strain on the thoracic limbs? and of course, patellar luxation/any other issues in the pelvic limbs and lower spine/SIJ need to be addressed if present.
Thank you in advance!
Juli
General question
Re: General question
Hey Juli,
Very cool and fascinating association you've found!
I think your theory is sound and just. If the dog is front end loading, naturally they'll be tighter in all of those muscles.
I'm going to assume that they don't have an neuro signs. Otherwise, I'd say that even without neck pain, they could have some slow degeneration in the neck causing the issues you are seeing - and to treat the neck proactively.
Now, in the case(s) you describe, I'd think of your therapies as being 2-fold:
1. Treat the root of the problem. Namely weakness or pain in the rear limb(s) / rear end.
2. Address the soft tissue issues you are finding in the neck / front end. (Massage, myofascial work, neck traction, stretches.)
Not sure what to think about limiting jumping down. You could say that as a general rule for so many things... not just this. (Shoulder, elbow, carpi, first rib, neck, thoracic spine...) But I'm not sure that the increased neck musculature tension itself is a reason to mandate 'no jumping off the couch'. So, I'm not sure I'd add that stress to the owner's life / routine right off the bat.
For some of the myofascial stuff - look at the Medial Shoulder Manual Therapies Video (Training Video 172) to find the ones I used there for the MSI cases. Some of them (neck stretches / myofascial holds) could cross over to this scenario as well.
All the best!
Laurie
Very cool and fascinating association you've found!
I think your theory is sound and just. If the dog is front end loading, naturally they'll be tighter in all of those muscles.
I'm going to assume that they don't have an neuro signs. Otherwise, I'd say that even without neck pain, they could have some slow degeneration in the neck causing the issues you are seeing - and to treat the neck proactively.
Now, in the case(s) you describe, I'd think of your therapies as being 2-fold:
1. Treat the root of the problem. Namely weakness or pain in the rear limb(s) / rear end.
2. Address the soft tissue issues you are finding in the neck / front end. (Massage, myofascial work, neck traction, stretches.)
Not sure what to think about limiting jumping down. You could say that as a general rule for so many things... not just this. (Shoulder, elbow, carpi, first rib, neck, thoracic spine...) But I'm not sure that the increased neck musculature tension itself is a reason to mandate 'no jumping off the couch'. So, I'm not sure I'd add that stress to the owner's life / routine right off the bat.
For some of the myofascial stuff - look at the Medial Shoulder Manual Therapies Video (Training Video 172) to find the ones I used there for the MSI cases. Some of them (neck stretches / myofascial holds) could cross over to this scenario as well.
All the best!
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES