How to Massage a Dog's Lower Back

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Easy
10 - 15 Minutes
1 Day

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Introduction

Your dog's back supports his body differently than yours does. His lower back provides support for abdominal organs and rear legs, and your dog’s horizontally positioned spine is subject to a lot of stress from gravity. Some dogs have been bred for specific physical attributes, like Dachshunds, which were bred with long bodies, to help them hunt rodents. However, their body structure makes them more prone to injury and strain. Other dogs have similar issues even with shorter bodies. You may notice your dog’s lower back is sore when he experiences decreased mobility, cries out in pain, or if he flinches when being petted, groomed, or touched in the area. This can occur because your dog has an injury in his lower back muscles or in the area and muscles go into spasm to support the injured tissues and immobilize the tissues that are injured. Also, if your dog has an injury elsewhere in his body, the muscles of the lower back may overcompensate for that injury, which puts additional strain on them. 

Strained and injured muscles can benefit from a massage. A massage can reduce pain and inflammation in your dog’s lower back muscles, increase circulation to tissues and injured areas which increases oxygenation to those tissues, and increases production of synovial fluid to lubricate joints and provide flexibility in vertebrae, which will increase joint efficiency, making your dog's lower back more resistant to injury and helping recovery of overstressed muscles.

Dog's Perspective

If your dog is experiencing pain from an injury, or sore muscles from overcompensating for an injury in his lower back, a massage can feel good, as it relieves pain. Or, the massage itself can cause some discomfort, if sore areas are overstimulated or manipulated. Your dog does not know you are trying to help him with your touch, and may react by avoiding massage or even becoming aggressive towards you. Introduce massage to the lower back gently and slowly, to see what works for your dog and how he reacts.

The Pressure Out Tension Method

Effective
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Step
1
Explore lower back
With your dog standing, run your hands along the spine of your dog on his lower back, check for spots where there is tension, where tissue will be more rigid, or spots where your dog may be experiencing pain or discomfort.
Step
2
Apply massage oil
Put a massage oil on your hands to reduce friction; olive oil or coconut oil work well.
Step
3
Apply light pressure to isloate
When you locate a knot or tense area, apply light pressure with your fingertips in a circular motion to locate knots.
Step
4
Increase pressure
Once you have located a knot in your dog's lower back, apply pressure with your finger or knuckle to that spot for 10 seconds to two minutes, to cause the muscle knot to dissipate. Then release and move over the rest of your dog's lower back looking for muscles that are in spasm.
Step
5
Avoid discomfort
Pay attention to your dog's reaction, if your dog indicates discomfort or pain, decrease pressure, or move to another area. Try that tense area again later, but use less pressure.

The Flat Hand and Cross Fiber Massage Method

Effective
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Step
1
Support your dog
Have your dog sit while you support your dog with one hand on his chest. With your other hand flat, run your hand down your dog’s spine on his lower back. Have your thumb on one side of the spine and your fingers pressed together along the other side.
Step
2
Apply flat hand pressure
With a flat hand, apply light pressure and pay attention to areas that sag when you apply pressure or where your dog tenses when you touch. Slide your hand all the way down to your dog's tail. Repeat several times.
Step
3
Curl fingers to palm
Now press your fingertips about one inch to the side of your dog's spine on his lower back with your palm at his spine. Gently curl fingers towards your palm, carrying the skin and hair under the fingers of your hand to form a roll.
Step
4
Push fingers straight
Now push your fingers back out to uncurl them applying deeper pressure to the tissues under your fingers, the skin should move back under your fingers. Repeat 2 or 3 times in one area, then move down the back to the next area.
Step
5
Respond to discomfort
Repeat on the other side of your dog's lower back. This cross fiber movement loosens tight muscles. If your dog flinches or indicates pain, ease off pressure, or move to another area.

Caution & Considerations

  • Sometimes dogs appear to be having back pain when they have pain in their abdomen.  This is because of the way they are structured. Make sure your dog is not suffering from some other medical condition before focusing on massaging lower back to relieve discomfort.
  • Follow your dog's signals, if your dog indicates that he is experiencing discomfort from pressure applied during massaging, lighten your touch or move to a different area.
  • Check for skin and coat conditions while massaging your dog.
  • Always be careful on your dog's back, do not apply downward pressure on the lower back that could strain muscles already supporting your dog's body weight.

Conclusion

Your dog's lower back is a critical support mechanism for your four-legged friend. Just look at the way your dog stands and you can see how limbs and abdominal organs are supported by the lower back. Injury and strain to this area are not uncommon, especially in long-backed dogs, or when injury occurs elsewhere and the lower back muscles overcompensate by taking up the slack and providing additional support. A massage to relax muscles in this area and increase circulation can benefit your dog's lower back muscles and keep them relaxed and functioning well, so they are more resistant to strain and injury. You can use your hand to locate and pressure out tense knots in the lower back, or apply gentle flat handed pressure and then cross fiber pressure to cause muscles to relax and improve circulation. Pay attention to your dog's reactions; if he shows signs of pain, ease pressure off, or move to another area. Remember your dog can't tell you what does and does not feel good, it’s up to you to pay attention to signals.

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