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Rocky’s Viewpoint

Rockys Viewpoint

A blog for people who treat their dogs better than family

June 17th, 2011

Your Dog, Allergies, and Acupressure

Has your dog been scratching a lot? I know my dog Yankee has. He doesn’t have fleas, so my next choice is some sort of allergy. After working with him and his diet, I’ve concluded that he has some environmental allergies. I only use natural cleansers in my home, limit fertilization and pesticides, so I don’t think that’s the problem. He plays a lot in an empty lot near where we live, and I believe that the grasses and pollen around there are causing him to be itchy.

So what can I do, and what can you do if you have the same problem? First, rule out diet. Feeding your dog a wholesome, healthy, grain free diet will help. Next, eliminate the harsh cleansers, and limit what’s done to your lawn. You can also have your dog checked by a holistic veterinarian if you’re interested in finding a natural solution. There are several good ones in this area.

What can you do on your own? A number of things, but in this article I want to focus on acupressure. If you look at Traditional Chinese Medicine, allergic reactions can be helped by building the immune system. Here are a couple of easy to locate acupressure points you can try that will help boost your dog’s immune system.

Large Intestine 11 (LI11): Helps build the immune system, reduces itching, and benefits skin disorders. This point is located on the outside front leg in the crease of the elbow. Bend the elbow, and put your finger into the outer most indention. This is where LI11 is located.

Large Intestine 4 (LI4): Helps with allergic dermatological issues, and strengthens the immune system. This point is located in the webbing of the dew claw on the front leg.

To stimulate these points, press your thumb or forefinger directly into the point. Don’t press too hard, and hold for around 90 seconds. Do this on both front legs at most every other day and at least, once a week. Give it a try and let us know your results!

Category: Health Management