Massage has been used to reduce pain and tension in humans or just as a relaxation technique for years. But, now the technique has gone to the dogs. Canine massage is increasing in popularity as pet owners look for less invasive approaches to healing their animals, or are simply at their last resort.

Deep, relaxing, massage. Who wouldn't love an hour of this, including, dogs?

Canine masseuse Heather Mishefske said, "People don't know what it entails. They think I'm a glorified dog petter."

Meet Stella, a 19-month-old beauty.

Dog Owner Brooke Dickheart said, "Last summer she was out playing in the yard and she came in for her afternoon nap and after her nap she got up and she was sleeping on the hardwood floor and she was favoring her back leg."

Heather Mishefske said, "I look for any kind of spasms, tight muscles. My goal is to find adhesions or scar tissues or past injuries."

Heather Mishefske has worked with dogs since she was ten-years-old. When one of her prized pooches kept knocking bars during agility training, she knew something was up.

Heather Mishefske said, "I never really thought about a canine being an athlete until that moment, which is kind of amazing because I'm an athlete myself and I understand cooling down and warming up and stretching and strengthening and I never really thought about it for my dog."

Which led her to getting a certificate in canine massage, something she's offering at her business, EmBark in Eau Claire.

Heather Mishefske said, "I'm often the last resort, but once they come to me, and I try to teach them some things, I often become the first resort." Brooke Dickheart added, "The last resort, which I hate calling that now. We brought her in and sure enough, within the short visit, it was a relief."

Heather Mishefske said, "There's a big muscle in their back called a latismus and she has a lot of tightness through there because that muscle is supporting her whole body as she's moving."

Stella's owner Brooke says with just a few massage sessions, she's gotten her dog back. She says Stella’s leg is doing much better and she's more content.

Brooke Dickheart said, "Yes you need to see a vet for certain instances, but things like this, try to explore outside the veterinary field. If anything, it's a start." Heather Mishefske added, "It's kind of like pediatrics because they can't tell you what's wrong, you just have to find it."

"Mishefske says canine massage can be used on dogs of all ages. She says she sees a lot of geriatric dogs who just need something to make them more comfortable and she says she works with sport dogs. Mishefske says she's one of three or four dog masseuses in the area.