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What continues to amaze me every day is how expressive a dog can be when he releases physical tension—and how just a little help, applied in the right way, can allow his body to let go of deep, accumulated stress that would otherwise be difficult to release.
But, you can't rush the process. To be effective, you have to go slowly and let the dog show you. As Jim says, “Throw away the clock; you’re on the dog’s time now.”
The Difference Between Traditional Massage and The Masterson Method®
The Masterson Method (MM) differs from traditional massage that focuses on massaging muscle fibers to increase blood flow. Instead, this method works with the dog’s nervous system, triggering the release of natural chemicals that help muscles relax.
One key difference is the role the dog plays in the process. With traditional massage, you locate tension and apply pressure to break it up. But with
MM, you listen to what the dog’s body is telling you and adjust your touch to encourage a natural release. If you’re unsure about the right amount of pressure, the answer is almost always: less is more.
As Jim says, it's the "lazy man’s massage” because it doesn’t strain your hands and fingers. Instead, it requires patience, attentiveness, and an understanding of the dog’s subtle responses. A quiet environment is helpful but not essential. What matters most is adopting the mindset that less is more.
At first, it’s easy to misjudge how much pressure - or non-pressure - you’re using. Practicing on a friend who can provide feedback can be helpful. Even then, remember—less is more. When in doubt, go softer.
This doesn’t mean you’ll never use pressure, but you resist the instinct to push or brace against resistance. Instead, when you see or feel the dog tense, you often your touch. When you yield to that resistance, you allow the dog to let go of the tension on its own.
Until next month, remember..."less is more".
~ Conley
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