Tui Na, often known as acupressure-massage, is an efficient solution to alleviate the discomfort of arthritis in cats.
Cats are tricksters. Their wild ancestors advanced to not present weak point or ache lest they fall prey to different predators within the wild. Our domesticated cats have the identical “ancestral” mindset, so it may be tough to evaluate when they could be affected by painful situations resembling osteoarthritis. That means it’s as much as us as to look at for any refined indicators of arthritis encroaching on our cats’ joints, and to take steps to alleviate their discomfort utilizing the instruments out there to us – together with Tui Na, a type of Chinese acupressure-massage.
Signs of osteoarthritis
Basically, arthritis is the degeneration of cartilage between the bones, resulting in a painful development of joint illness. Cats are likely to develop arthritis of their shoulders, hips, elbows, stifles (knees), and tarsi (ankles). Any cat over the age of seven can change into arthritic; nonetheless, joint illness is extra widespread and extra extreme in cats over the age of 12.
As your cat ages, look ahead to any reluctance to leap on furnishings, together with litter field avoidance, modifications in her gait, matted fur alongside her backbone, and/or modifications in conduct and persona. Is your cat sleeping extra? Is she in search of sunny spots and different heat locations to twist up in additional than ever earlier than? If your cat’s coat seems scruffy and matted, it’s as a result of she doesn’t have the pliability to groom herself as completely as she used to, as a result of she is just not capable of twist and attain her again and chest. These are widespread indicators of osteoarthritis in a cat.
To be completely certain your cat’s situation is arthritis, go to your holistic or integrative veterinarian to rule out different well being situations that may current in a similar way. Depending on the severity of your cat’s situation, your vet might suggest methods to make your cat extra comfy, together with dietary dietary supplements, weight administration, an train routine, ache aid remedy — and complementary therapies resembling acupressure-massage.
Osteoarthritis from a Chinese medication perspective
In Chinese medication, osteoarthritis is taken into account a “chilly” situation as a result of the underlying impact is the deterioration and lack of residing tissue. There are instances when arthritis presents as acute irritation (warmth) and painful swelling; nonetheless, the cartilage and bone are experiencing a kind of loss of life and subsequently change into chilly. This is why, in Chinese medication, arthritis is taken into account a “chilly” syndrome.
These historic ideas are actually very efficient and easy: if the physique is chilly, it must be warmed. So when a limb or joint is experiencing a chilly syndrome, it must be warmed to alleviate ache and encourage wholesome tissue.
Tui Na: acupressure-massage
Ancient Chinese medical doctors have been extremely adept at soothing the aches and ache of arthritis. Feline and human our bodies haven’t modified since then. The bodywork methods used to appease and heat arthritic limbs in historic instances have been used persistently for hundreds of years. These warming methods are referred to as Tui Na.
Tui Na (pronounced “tway naah”) is the unique Chinese acupressure-massage. Two hands-on methods identified to heat the limbs might help enhance your cat’s consolation and mobility. The magnificence of those methods is that you may follow working together with your cat to assist her.
Tui Na Techniques
1. Cou Fa
The first approach known as Cou Fa (pronounced “soo [long ‘o’] fa”). This is a rolling and rubbing approach the place the friction of the rubbing creates warmth.
It’s greatest to carry out Cou Fa together with your cat mendacity on her aspect. Place one hand beneath her fore or hind limb to help it. Place your reverse hand instantly on prime of the limb in the identical location. Then begin to slowly, rhythmically, and gently transfer one hand ahead and the opposite again throughout the joint. Continue to extend the pace as you repeat the ahead and again movement to construct warming friction round your cat’s joint.
2. Tui Fa
The second approach is Tui Fa (pronounced “twaay fa”). This hands-on approach is extremely versatile. Tui Fa can be utilized simply alongside your cat’s limbs, backbone, hips, and shoulders to extend energetic motion and heat.
Place one hand in your cat. Using your reverse hand, place your forefinger and center finger the place you need to start. Then gently glide alongside the limb, shoulder, or backbone going from prime to backside or from head towards the tail relying in your meant location. Next, draw again alongside the identical “channel” you used doing the ahead movement. Continue by shifting up and again alongside the channel, repeatedly and rhythmically, to create a warming impact.
Most cats love Tui Na — particularly in case you, as her particular particular person, are serving to her really feel higher. Some cats take some time to get the message that you really want her to really feel her greatest, so give it a strive when she appears open to having a Tui Na session with you. The level is to share a time of therapeutic together with her!
