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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
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or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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Caring for Your Dog, Mindfully

July 2, 2019 By Denise Schwartz 3 Comments

Caring for Dogs Mindfully

While walking his german shepherd, my uncle got tangled up in his dog’s leash and fell down, as the dog decided to go a different direction.

Gail bent down to fill her dog’s food bowl and hurt her back.

Lori’s dog took off after another dog pulling Lori’s arm causing rotator cuff tendonitis.

I know; you all love your dogs and would do anything for them. However, you must always be mindful of how you use your body as you take care of your dog to prevent injuring yourself. The care of your dog takes a lot of bending, squatting, lifting, holding onto, and walking, which come with the possibility of injury. 

Here are 7 tips for taking care of your dogs without getting injured

Walking your dog

  • Engage your abs. This will improve your stability and prepare you for sudden movements from your dog. Here’s a video on engaging your abs. 
  • Use a good leash and collar. This will allow you to better control your dog.
  • Be mindful. When you’re aware or mindful to what is going on around you, it’s easier to anticipate anything that might cause your dog to suddenly jolt or move fast.  

Filling food and water bowls, picking up waste, washing their feet, connecting the leash to their collar

  • Hip hinge by keeping your back straight and bending or hinging at your hips allowing you to use your glutes and hamstrings, not your back muscles.
  • Squat by using the same hip hinging technique above, but allow your knees to bend.

Lifting your dog

  • Use your legs to lift, keep your back in neutral and abs engaged then hinge at your hips by sticking your backside back and bending at your knees. Here is a video on how to squat properly.

Carrying your dog

  • When carrying your dog, hold him or her close to your body.

Giving your dog a bath 

  • Kneel on a soft pad to protect your knees and hinge at your hips, just like you would in standing, in order to reach your dog.

Walking around the house 

  • Walk around your dog instead of stepping over your dog to avoid losing your balance.

Do exercises

  • Try these balance exercises to improve your balance and prevent falls.

Do you have any dog stories that may have led to an injury?  Do you have any other tips how to take care of your dog? Drop me an email at denise@themanualtouch.com and let me know.

Filed Under: Balance & Vestibular Disorders, Health & Wellness Tagged With: balance, caring for dogs, preventing falls, preventing injury, tips for dog walking

About Denise Schwartz

Denise Schwartz, PT, IMT, C is the owner of The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. For over 30 years, she has been helping patients reduce pain and improve quality of life using a whole body approach. Denise specializes in chronic pain, spinal conditions, running/triathlon injuries and prevention, balance/vestibular disorders, functional exercise, kinesiotaping, and various non-traditional and traditional & manual therapies. Contact Denise at denise@themanualtouch.com

Comments

  1. Lucy Kaplan says

    July 3, 2019 at 6:44 pm

    Never use a retractable leash. It reduces the control you have over your dog’s movement. It’s very easy to become entangled and fall. I’m a lifelong dog owner and have seen many accidents occur because of the retractable leash. Always use a regular leash.

    Reply
    • Denise Schwartz says

      July 3, 2019 at 7:53 pm

      Thank you for the great tip Lucy!

      Reply
  2. Beri and John Nass says

    July 16, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    Make sure dog is trained to heel., So when you walk him/her he/her can not pull you and make you fall down. My husband was in the 3 days with a severe concussion.. This is especially important in our snowy and icy
    winters

    Reply

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We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
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Testimonials

I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  … Read more
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, af… Read more
Judy has been living with Rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30+ years and typically uses a wheelchair around her house and a cane or walker outside. “I seem to be in less pain, can stand longer.  I also am walking somewhat straighter and furthe… Read more
Denise has worked on areas of severe pain and has diminished them to a tolerable level.
The best physical therapist I’ve ever experienced is Denise Schwartz in Wheeling at the Manual Touch. I have seen Denise twice for over 6 months to treat 2 bouts of frozen shoulder that occurred 8 years apart. In addition to my shoulder, she has also… Read more
http://themanualtouch.com/wp/testimonial/b-h-elmhurst-il
I walked in to PT with severe back and knee pain, I couldn’t even tie my own shoe.  After 45 minutes of Denise’s treatment, I could tie my own shoe with mild discomfort.
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and … Read more
With improved balance by utilizing Denise’s exercises on a daily basis, I now have reduced the risk of falling and possibly fracturing a bone.  I am grateful for Denise’s expertise. If you have a balance issue I recommend a visit to Denise.
The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return… Read more
I have really appreciated the physical therapy services provided by Denise Schwartz for the severe osteoporosis in my spine. I feel the exercises she has taught me have improved my overall strength and balance, and helped minimize pain from certain m… Read more
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