Healing Paws and Human Posture: An Osteopath’s Guide to Thriving with Your Dog

Formerly The Dog Mum Podcast. Our name has evolved as the community has grown. 

In this episode, Aneka sits down with James Davies, a premier osteopath who has worked with stars like David Beckham and Pink, dive into his transition from a professional 100m runner to a ‘magic-handed’ healer for both humans and dogs. James shares his heartwarming ‘convert story’ of going from a dog-skeptic to a devoted ‘dog dad’ to his miniature poodle, Justin Bobby. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Dogs offer a unique, non-verbal communication of love and energy that can significantly improve mental health and provide emotional grounding during low moments.

The principles of healing, muscles, ligaments, and bones, apply to both humans and dogs; therapeutic touch and palpation can help pets recover from physical discomfort just as they help people.

Frequent dog walking often leads to lower back, neck, and shoulder pain due to improper posture, looking down, or being pulled on a lead.

Health doesn't require hours at the gym; focusing on your body for just 10 minutes a day (even in small 20-second bursts) can prevent chronic tension from escalating into a physical crisis.

Walking on hard city streets requires supportive trainers with good shock absorbers; wearing flat shoes like Converse for long walks can lead to significant lower back and calf pain.

BEST MOMENTS

"I never realised that I could have so much love and affection for a dog. I’m a full convert now."

"If you're good at the palpation skills, you can be therapeutic to any type of tissue. Dogs have muscles, human beings have muscles."

"I feel we're all athletes, and we need to have a warm-up. Even to walk our dogs, we need to stretch."