The Benefits of Bodywork.
I am a Masterson Method certified practitioner, “The Masterson Method” being my preferred form of bodywork.
It works by working gently with the horse, persuading the horse’s body to switch to the Parasympathetic side of the nervous system. In this state, the horse is very relaxed and tension is easily released by using the gentle Masterson method techniques.
These techniques were developed by Jim Masterson to form a “Multi-modality” form of bodywork, incorporating many different types of bodywork such as;
*mobilisation techniques
* fascial release
* massage
*trigger point therapy
*cranial sacral therapy
*Chinese meridian work
* a little bit of magic thrown in for good measure.
Basically, if Jim found it worked to release tension and relax the horses he was working with, it is in the method. He is constantly learning new things and passing on the information and movements on to his practitioners around the world.
Often the horses I’m working on, show huge signs of release.
This, meaning the release of tension and also the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that horses yawn when releasing endorphins. I am always looking for signs of release in the horse, this includes yawning, your horse may yawn when I’m working on them, often they yawn A LOT.
Other signs of release include licking and chewing, stretching, bottom lip relaxing or quivering, the whole body shaking, lying down, buckling at the knees and generally looking as if they have been sedated or are in a trance.
This is nothing to worry about and is completely normal. After a few sessions, you will see a drop in the number of huge releases, this is good and just means that there is less to release and the bodywork is keeping on top of it before it becomes a problem which is why regular bodywork is recommended even if you think your horse doesn’t need it.
I love working on a new horse and seeing them release a ton of tension that they’ve had for years.
On a regular basis, this bodywork may provide many benefits such as-
More relaxation in the horse in general and less stress-balancing the nervous system.
Horses who spend a lot of time in the sympathetic nervous system state -SNS(fight or fight& survive) can suffer a multitude of health problems. The SNS is there to help the horse escape and survive threatening situations by getting them amped up and able to run away or fight if necessary. In the wild, these situations would be a predator chasing them or perhaps fighting with a rival over a mate. In modern times the SNS is triggered often by things such as noise, workload, confinement, travel and “scary things”.
Activating The Parasympathetic nervous system-PNS (rest, digest &recover) exists as a polar opposite to the SNS, allowing the horse to recover from a stressful situation. These two systems should be balanced and work in harmony for optimal health. Unfortunately, the stresses of modern domesticated horses and their workload can promote activation of the SNS, without enough PSN activation to reset the horse’s body and provide protection from SNS over stimulation.
Switching on of the parasympathetic nervous system, I believe helps digestion,stabilises blood pressure, lowers heart rate and increases blood and lymph flow. These benefits alone could have a huge impact on your horses health. Studies have shown that triggering the parasympathetic nervous system with the help of the vagus nerve can also block inflammation throughout the entire body.
The relaxation of the sessions promotes activation of the PNS with the help of the vagus nerve.
The more frequently they receive bodywork, the easier the body will go into PNS and the more benefits they will receive in the short and long term. The PSN regulates and looks after all of the horse’s bodily functions, it makes sense that more time in this state will make a huge improvement in the horse’s health.
Improvement in the horse’s mobility– this bodywork removes and releases unwanted tension in the body tissues by using gentle mobilisation techniques, pointwork and tissue release methods. The nervous system sometimes adds tension to protect damaged tissues in the body. This tension can remain long after the tissue has healed and can itself become a restriction. (think of wearing a plaster cast long after you broken bones have healed) All the methods in this bodywork are gentle and enjoyed by the horse. releasing the unwanted restrictive tension. If the horse shows resistance, I will soften and work at the level the horse is happy with.
This bodywork enables the release of endorphins into the horse’s bloodstream, this is like opening a natural “drug cabinet” in the horse’s brain. These endorphins provide natural pain relief and sedation. Your horse will feel good! These endorphins are free and competition legal!
Try it for yourself, your horse will thank you.
Nic x
Text or call 07934888757
or message me on facebook to book your horse in.
It works by working gently with the horse, persuading the horse’s body to switch to the Parasympathetic side of the nervous system. In this state, the horse is very relaxed and tension is easily released by using the gentle Masterson method techniques.
These techniques were developed by Jim Masterson to form a “Multi-modality” form of bodywork, incorporating many different types of bodywork such as;
*mobilisation techniques
* fascial release
* massage
*trigger point therapy
*cranial sacral therapy
*Chinese meridian work
* a little bit of magic thrown in for good measure.
Basically, if Jim found it worked to release tension and relax the horses he was working with, it is in the method. He is constantly learning new things and passing on the information and movements on to his practitioners around the world.
Often the horses I’m working on, show huge signs of release.
This, meaning the release of tension and also the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that horses yawn when releasing endorphins. I am always looking for signs of release in the horse, this includes yawning, your horse may yawn when I’m working on them, often they yawn A LOT.
Other signs of release include licking and chewing, stretching, bottom lip relaxing or quivering, the whole body shaking, lying down, buckling at the knees and generally looking as if they have been sedated or are in a trance.
This is nothing to worry about and is completely normal. After a few sessions, you will see a drop in the number of huge releases, this is good and just means that there is less to release and the bodywork is keeping on top of it before it becomes a problem which is why regular bodywork is recommended even if you think your horse doesn’t need it.
I love working on a new horse and seeing them release a ton of tension that they’ve had for years.
On a regular basis, this bodywork may provide many benefits such as-
More relaxation in the horse in general and less stress-balancing the nervous system.
Horses who spend a lot of time in the sympathetic nervous system state -SNS(fight or fight& survive) can suffer a multitude of health problems. The SNS is there to help the horse escape and survive threatening situations by getting them amped up and able to run away or fight if necessary. In the wild, these situations would be a predator chasing them or perhaps fighting with a rival over a mate. In modern times the SNS is triggered often by things such as noise, workload, confinement, travel and “scary things”.
Activating The Parasympathetic nervous system-PNS (rest, digest &recover) exists as a polar opposite to the SNS, allowing the horse to recover from a stressful situation. These two systems should be balanced and work in harmony for optimal health. Unfortunately, the stresses of modern domesticated horses and their workload can promote activation of the SNS, without enough PSN activation to reset the horse’s body and provide protection from SNS over stimulation.
Switching on of the parasympathetic nervous system, I believe helps digestion,stabilises blood pressure, lowers heart rate and increases blood and lymph flow. These benefits alone could have a huge impact on your horses health. Studies have shown that triggering the parasympathetic nervous system with the help of the vagus nerve can also block inflammation throughout the entire body.
The relaxation of the sessions promotes activation of the PNS with the help of the vagus nerve.
The more frequently they receive bodywork, the easier the body will go into PNS and the more benefits they will receive in the short and long term. The PSN regulates and looks after all of the horse’s bodily functions, it makes sense that more time in this state will make a huge improvement in the horse’s health.
Improvement in the horse’s mobility– this bodywork removes and releases unwanted tension in the body tissues by using gentle mobilisation techniques, pointwork and tissue release methods. The nervous system sometimes adds tension to protect damaged tissues in the body. This tension can remain long after the tissue has healed and can itself become a restriction. (think of wearing a plaster cast long after you broken bones have healed) All the methods in this bodywork are gentle and enjoyed by the horse. releasing the unwanted restrictive tension. If the horse shows resistance, I will soften and work at the level the horse is happy with.
This bodywork enables the release of endorphins into the horse’s bloodstream, this is like opening a natural “drug cabinet” in the horse’s brain. These endorphins provide natural pain relief and sedation. Your horse will feel good! These endorphins are free and competition legal!
Try it for yourself, your horse will thank you.
Nic x
Text or call 07934888757
or message me on facebook to book your horse in.
