Massage |
Massage for the disabled rabbit.
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How Can Massage Benefit the Disabled Rabbit?
Massage is a touch technique that is used to maintain and enhance health and well being. For disabled rabbits, massage has the ability to provide both physical and emotional benefits that can truly make a positive difference in their lives.
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As far as physical benefits, massage can:
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As far as emotional benefits, massage can:
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While the success of massage depends greatly on an individual rabbit's condition and is by no means a cure-all, we believe that it has the potential to be of great benefit to disabled rabbits. Those bunnies that may especially benefit from massage are:
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Bonnie gets a back massage.
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Massage Techniques
Choose a place on the floor with your rabbit. Get them comfortable. Depending on their disability, you may need to prop your rabbit using pillows or rolled towels- whatever they need to get them into a comfortable, safe position. Be sure they feel grounded and secure. Pet them gently. Let them know it is time for a massage.
Effleurage
Effleurage is a massage technique that utilizes long, gliding strokes. It is a great opening massage and is the most common rabbit massage method used.
Effleurage can be done with the palms of the hands, the fingertips, the knuckles or even loose fists. The key is slow, light pressure. Think of the pressure you would use when checking a peach for ripeness. Begin by placing your hands on either side of your rabbit's face. Stroke gently and from your rabbit's cheeks glide over their head, down the back of their neck, down either side of their spine, down their bottom and finish at their tail. Remember to go slowly. Move completely and fully from head to tail, molding your hands around your rabbit's body. When you finish the stroke, hover your hands just over your rabbit's body, bring them to your rabbit's head, and begin another stroke. You want long, broad strokes that glide over the entirety of your rabbit's body.
This technique wakes up the body and the nerves. It is great for warming up the muscles as it encourages circulation. It also gives you a good chance to assess your rabbit's muscles and test for tension, knots or areas of particular concern that you will want to work on later. The process is very soothing and relaxing for a rabbit.
As you continue your strokes, increase the pressure you use just slightly. Lighter strokes will create a soothing response from the muscles. When you press a little more, you will help to work and "squeeze" tension from the muscles. Be sure to use some lighter effleurage strokes in between to give your rabbit some rest. As you continue, you will begin to see your rabbit relax.
Effleurage can be done with the palms of the hands, the fingertips, the knuckles or even loose fists. The key is slow, light pressure. Think of the pressure you would use when checking a peach for ripeness. Begin by placing your hands on either side of your rabbit's face. Stroke gently and from your rabbit's cheeks glide over their head, down the back of their neck, down either side of their spine, down their bottom and finish at their tail. Remember to go slowly. Move completely and fully from head to tail, molding your hands around your rabbit's body. When you finish the stroke, hover your hands just over your rabbit's body, bring them to your rabbit's head, and begin another stroke. You want long, broad strokes that glide over the entirety of your rabbit's body.
This technique wakes up the body and the nerves. It is great for warming up the muscles as it encourages circulation. It also gives you a good chance to assess your rabbit's muscles and test for tension, knots or areas of particular concern that you will want to work on later. The process is very soothing and relaxing for a rabbit.
As you continue your strokes, increase the pressure you use just slightly. Lighter strokes will create a soothing response from the muscles. When you press a little more, you will help to work and "squeeze" tension from the muscles. Be sure to use some lighter effleurage strokes in between to give your rabbit some rest. As you continue, you will begin to see your rabbit relax.
Petrissage
Petrissage is a massage technique that utilizes kneading. This technique involves more pressure and should be worked to slowly with lighter techniques like effleurage.
Petrissage can be done with the fingertips, the knuckles, the thumbs or loose fists for bigger areas of the body. You will likely use the tips of your fingers or thumbs. Like with effleurage, always begin with light, gentle pressure. You can work up to slightly more pressure as your rabbit becomes accustomed to massage and you are better able to understand what they are comfortable with.
Petrissage can be done with the fingertips, the knuckles, the thumbs or loose fists for bigger areas of the body. You will likely use the tips of your fingers or thumbs. Like with effleurage, always begin with light, gentle pressure. You can work up to slightly more pressure as your rabbit becomes accustomed to massage and you are better able to understand what they are comfortable with.
- Begin with gentle kneading around your rabbit's face- areas such as their cheeks, the bridge of their nose (never too close to their eyes), the back of their head and their ears (especially for lops). Use your fingertips to create little circles of light pressure in these areas and knead the muscles gently. Keep movements slow and rhythmical. Do NOT knead or apply pressure along your rabbit's neck. After you focus on one area for a minute or two, give your rabbit a few strokes of effleurage to loosen them up.
- Next, move to your rabbit's shoulders. Knead small (depending on the size of your rabbit, about the size of a dime or nickel) circles in the soft area on either side of your rabbit's spine. Move slowly from the shoulders to the hips. Pay special attention to tenser areas. Do NOT knead or massage directly along your rabbit's spine. End with a few strokes of effleurage.
- Lastly, move to your rabbit's hips. Using loose fists, gently knead their hips in slow, light circles. You can also knead small circles down their legs. Do NOT knead or apply pressure along the inside of your rabbit's thighs. End again with a few strokes of effleurage.
Always end your massage session with long effleurage strokes and encouragement for your rabbit. The hope is that, after massage, your rabbit will feel more relaxed, more comfortable and more positive.
Wahl Mini MassagerWe use and highly recommend the Wahl Mini Massager as a bunny massage tool. The vibration level is just gentle enough for bunnies and the small size is perfect. The massager comes with a spongy attachment that resembles memory foam (originally meant for facials) that just happens to be perfect for gentle back, shoulder, hip and leg massages for an arthritic or disabled rabbit. The vibration helps stimulate the nerves and relax the muscles, providing nice relief for aches and pains. It's even helpful for paralyzed bunnies.
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Massage Techniques by Condition
Arthritis
Try taking your rabbit's joints through their normal range of motion. Lift a leg and gently imitate a hop motion very slowly, stretching and flexing the leg. Tightness is normal, but if your rabbit is resisting, that may be a sign of pain- so be cautious. When massaging arthritic rabbits, try not to focus on the joints themselves, but on the muscles around the joints that are giving your rabbit trouble. A good time for massage is first thing in the morning when your rabbit is tense from a night's sleep.
Take a look at the staff of the Animal Medical Center of New York demonstrating front and hind end range of motion exercises:
Take a look at the staff of the Animal Medical Center of New York demonstrating front and hind end range of motion exercises:
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Immobility
Immobile rabbits often have to lie on one of their sides. Remaining in one position for too long, though, impairs circulation and can cause sores to develop. Make sure your rabbit is on well-padded surface and try to change their position as often as you can.
As part of their massage session, try to prop them up on a pillow and pay special attention to massaging their predominantly "down" side. These muscles are often particularly tense from lack of movement and extra pressure. Rake your fingers along their side gently and help stimulate the muscles and nerves there and work out tension.
As part of their massage session, try to prop them up on a pillow and pay special attention to massaging their predominantly "down" side. These muscles are often particularly tense from lack of movement and extra pressure. Rake your fingers along their side gently and help stimulate the muscles and nerves there and work out tension.
Paralysis
Rabbits that suffer from paralysis in one or more of their legs often enjoy reflexology and the sensation of having their feet massaged. Tap your fingers lightly against the bottom of their feet (think about the way you would tap your fingers on a table) to stimulate the nerves there. It can also feel good to massage lightly in between the toes.
To work on strengthening the front or hind legs and keep them from "locking" up, check out the videos above showing how to guide a rabbit's legs through the normal range of motion.
To work on strengthening the front or hind legs and keep them from "locking" up, check out the videos above showing how to guide a rabbit's legs through the normal range of motion.
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Positioning
Something that can be helpful for hind end paralyzed rabbits, especially those for which the condition may improve, is a technique called "positioning." Positioning is helping a rabbit achieve and maintain a normal posture. This helps them work on joint and muscle flexibility, but also helps teach them what a correct position is. When a rabbit becomes used to an abnormal position, it begins to feel normal to them. Positioning can help to re-teach them what a correct posture is. It can also decrease stiffness, increase joint motion and flexibility, and build strength.
A position that can be particularly helpful for partially paralyzed rabbits is a normal resting or crouched position, where the legs fold up and under the rabbit, the front arms are resting and the rabbit's belly touches the floor. If your rabbit needs the extra support, brace their sides with pillows or rolled towels. This technique can also be very helpful for head tilt bunnies. Besides the psychological benefits that come with feeling normal, this kind of therapy can utilize less-used muscles and joints and really build strength over time. *Please note that positioning especially should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian or professional. Incorrect posturing can place unnatural pressure on already weak joints and potentially cause damage. Never pull or force any joints into position. Keep these sessions short and continue gradually until you know your rabbit is comfortable with them. |
Head Tilt
While rabbits with head tilt do gain relief through the massage techniques described above, because of their particular condition, there is additional therapy that can be done for them. This therapy centers around straightening and massaging their neck. Head tilt can put a strain on the muscles in that area, so massage can help to relieve and possibly even strengthen those muscles.
To massage a head tilt rabbit, begin by placing one hand on either side of their head and gently encourage the head into a normal, straight position (or as normal and straight as your rabbit can manage). Support as much of the head as possible and move very slowly. This will take strain off the neck muscles and give your rabbit a momentary feeling of relief and normalcy. Hold this position for 3-5 seconds and then release. Repeat only a few times per session. Then use some very gentle petrissage kneading (described above). Focus on their neck and use small circles to work the muscles there. Do just short sessions and finish with a few strokes of effleurage (described above). These light massages till help to relieve and strengthen the neck muscles and, over time, you may even see some improvement in their tilt.
To massage a head tilt rabbit, begin by placing one hand on either side of their head and gently encourage the head into a normal, straight position (or as normal and straight as your rabbit can manage). Support as much of the head as possible and move very slowly. This will take strain off the neck muscles and give your rabbit a momentary feeling of relief and normalcy. Hold this position for 3-5 seconds and then release. Repeat only a few times per session. Then use some very gentle petrissage kneading (described above). Focus on their neck and use small circles to work the muscles there. Do just short sessions and finish with a few strokes of effleurage (described above). These light massages till help to relieve and strengthen the neck muscles and, over time, you may even see some improvement in their tilt.
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Carrot Therapy
"Carrot therapy" is a great therapy method in which you encourage your head tilt rabbit to straighten their head by enticing them with a carrot or treat. The carrot works as an incentive for the rabbit to stretch their neck into a more normal position. While it may not work for all head tilt rabbits, this can be a great exercise for the muscles in the neck and encouraging moments of straightness. The video to the right illustrates how carrot therapy is done.
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Heat Therapy
Heat therapies can be very beneficial for rabbits with heat tilt. Head tilt can wear on the neck muscles, and heat can loosen those muscles and provide some relief. Some even believe it can help improve a tilt by making it easier for a rabbit to hold their head upright. A rice or bean bag makes a good heat sack. You can also fill a cotton washcloth with uncooked, warmed (not hot) rice or beans, then tie it off with a rubber band for a heat pouch. Apply the bag to the neck for about 10-15 minutes at a time.
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Cleo has head tilt. She uses a long, homemade heating bag filled
with whole rolled oats for her heat therapy. |
Cautions
When NOT to do massage work:
*Never massage or knead along your rabbit's spine.
*Never knead or apply pressure along your rabbit's neck (not to be confused with their chin or chest). There is a major artery here.
*Avoid pressure or kneading on the inside of your rabbit's thighs. There are major arteries here.
- After a meal
- After exercise
- If your rabbit has a fever
- If your rabbit has an infection
- Immediately after surgery (consult your veterinarian before attempting massage)
- When a rabbit is suffering from digestive issues (consult your veterinarian before attempting massage)
*Never massage or knead along your rabbit's spine.
*Never knead or apply pressure along your rabbit's neck (not to be confused with their chin or chest). There is a major artery here.
*Avoid pressure or kneading on the inside of your rabbit's thighs. There are major arteries here.
Tips
- Observe your rabbit for signs of feedback. If you see your rabbit with their eyes closed, notice slow and easy breathing, hear tooth purring or see them dozing off, those are signs that your rabbit is loving their massage. If your rabbit is tensing, hopping away continually, flattening their ears defensively, lunging or nipping, those are signs that your rabbit is uncomfortable or otherwise not liking the massage.
- Always let your rabbit be in charge of massage sessions.
- Start slowly.
- Get to know what your rabbit likes.
- Limit noise and distractions. Take some time to focus on your rabbit and really enjoy massaging them.
- Be patient. Observe your rabbit for signs of positive responses or improvements, however small, but keep in mind that these may happen slowly.
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Massage doesn't have to be an involved or complicated activity. Simple pets and rubs have the ability to calm and reduce anxiety and stress. Facial massages are often especially enjoyed by disabled rabbits and non-disabled rabbits alike. Just check out Gleason's face massage video to the right. The important thing is spending time on concentrated, relaxed touch and attention and enjoying the time with your rabbit.
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