It’s normal for a dog to scratch behind her ears every so often. But when she scratches constantly and compulsively, there’s a problem. A holistic approach that includes acupressure can help relieve the discomfort of dry, itchy skin in your dog.

Dry, itchy, flaky skin, also known as “pruritis,” is very uncomfortable for a dog. This condition has several levels of severity that require different treatment approaches. For mild cases with periodic bouts of scratching, a simple change in diet, as well as a vitamin regimen, gentler shampoo, or humidifier may be all that’s needed. But if the dog is scratching incessantly and causing self-harm, a more intensive approach involving holistic veterinary care — along with the acupressure session highlighted in this article — should be taken.

HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE

If your dog is making himself miserable with scratching, consult a holistic veterinarian. He or she can help get to the root of your dog’s skin problem (see sidebar at right) and provide the right treatment options. Once a treatment plan has been established, consider enhancing it with the brief, daily acupressure session outlined on the next page. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupressure has been successfully used for centuries to resolve dry, itchy skin conditions in people and animals.

DRY SKIN FROM A TCM PERSPECTIVE

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dry skin is called “wind heat.” This is an apt description, since itchy skin tends to be red, which indicates heat, while wind creates dryness. In TCM, as in Western medicine, there are many reasons why dogs suffer from dry, itchy skin.

From a TCM perspective, allergies are a breakdown of the immune system. So if a dog experiences an allergic response to an allergen, we need to strengthen her immune system. Skin needs to be robust in order to withstand the invasion of wind and heat. When the skin doesn’t receive the proper moisture and nourishment that blood provides, it can become dry, itchy, and flaky. In TCM terms, this is considered a “blood deficiency” condition; it requires both the enrichment of blood, and the circulation of blood and body fluids to the surface of the dog’s body. Other health conditions can lead to dry skin, but immune system weakness combined with poor blood circulation are common contributors.

ACUPRESSURE SESSION FOR DRY SKIN

Specific acupressure points will energetically support your dog’s immune system. By offering the short, daily session shown in the chart below, you will bring nourishment and moisture to your dog’s skin while building her overall immune system.

Stimulate the following acupoints by resting one hand on your dog wherever it is comfortable. Using your other hand, place the tip of your thumb directly on each acupoint, at a 45° angle, and hold the point gently, but with intent, for a slow count of 30. Another method is to put your middle finger on top of your index finger, then gently but firmly place your index finger at a 45° angle on the acupressure point, again for a slow count of 30.

• Governing Vessel 14 (GV 14): Clears heat and strengthens the immune system
• Large Intestine 11 (LI 11): Dispels heat and benefits the immune system
• Bladder 13 (Bl 13): Enhances movement of body fluids
• Bladder 17 (Bl 17): Nourishes and enriches blood
• GV 14: Found on dorsal midline between the spinous processes of the 7th cervical and 1st thoracic vertebrae
• LI 11: Located on the front leg on the outside (lateral) near the elbow at the end of the cubital crease — find by flexing the elbow
• Bl 13: Found a thumb width lateral to the back edge of the dorsal spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra
• Bl 17: Found a thumb width lateral to the back edge of the dorsal spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra

DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR “WIND HEAT”

Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a well-rounded approach to resolving health conditions. For a dog (or human) to be healthy, he needs rest, exercise, a balanced Lifestyle, acupressure-massage – and attention to diet.

Chinese medicine dietitians recommend cooling foods for heat conditions. These foods include certain meats and fish, vegetables, grains, fruits, and different types of oils, as follows:

• Meats and fish: turkey, rabbit, cod, whitefish
• Grains: brown rice, millet, barley
• Vegetables: broccoli, celery, bok choy, cucumber, potato
• Fruits: watermelon, pear, banana
• Oils: coconut, sesame – small amounts of these oils can be mixed into your dog’s food

Making changes to an itchy dog’s diet will help her feel cooler, while adding the acupressure session will build internal strength to ward off the “wind heat” invading her body.

Combining Western holistic medicine recommendations with TCM techniques, including acupressure, is a powerful way to resolve your dog’s dry, itchy skin, and help her back to a healthy and comfortable quality of life.

Source: Animal Wellness Magazine