Furry Medicine

[RBSinTo]

When our children and grandchildren were very young, whenever ill or hurt, in addition to medication or treatment, they would be given a dose of Furry Medicine, which consisted of cuddling with the cats or dogs, who would even stay in their beds on or under the covers. They were taught that no matter how ill, or how bad their pain was, Furry Medicine would always make them feel just a tiny bit better.
Last night, when I went to bed, I was suffering from severe back pain, which kept me up for much of the night. At one point I called for the cats ("pssss, pssss, pssss pssss" brings them every time), and when one arrived, lay down beside me, and began purring as I petted her, my pain noticably lessened, proving once again the medical value of Furry Medicine.
Take two kitties or doggies, and call me in the morning. Repeat as necessary.
Just thought you all might benefit from this knowledge.
RBSinTo

 

[walrus]

"Furry Medicine"! Love it!

walrus

 

[Stuball48]

First time I have heard that one and really like it. Unconditional love at its peak!

 

[Brad Little]

Probably the reason more hospitals and rehab centers are using therapy animals.

 

[Guildedagain]

Furry medicine is good.

 

[gjmalcyon]

You are absolutely onto something. Lots of research supports this. According to one study, the beneficial effects are caused by one or more of these:

• Reduce stress hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol
• Increase endorphin levels (endorphins are the body's natural opiates)
• Increased levels of oxytocin, a hormone that can alter a person's stress response and pain experience (oxytocin is the hormone released during childbirth)
• Improve mood, which may secondarily improve pain

 

[RBSinTo]

Probably the reason more hospitals and rehab centers are using therapy animals.

Brad,
Yes, but "Furry Medicine" sounds so much better than "therapy animals", don't you think?
RBSinTo

 

[RBSinTo]

You are absolutely onto something. Lots of research supports this. According to one study, the beneficial effects are caused by one or more of these:

• Reduce stress hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol
• Increase endorphin levels (endorphins are the body's natural opiates)
• Increased levels of oxytocin, a hormone that can alter a person's stress response and pain experience (oxytocin is the hormone released during childbirth)
• Improve mood, which may secondarily improve pain

gjmalcyon,
While I wasen't involved in any scientific studies which proved this, we in our family knew from personal experience that Furry Medicine worked. And we, our children and grandchildren still use it to this day, and sing its praises.
RBSinTo

 

[Teleguy61]

Absolutely true.

 

[crank]

"Soft kitty warm kitty little ball of fur..."

I like bourbon for an aching back.

 

[RBSinTo]

"Soft kitty warm kitty little ball of fur..."

I like bourbon for an aching back.

And I like bourbon for cleaning paint brushes, but Furry Medicine for all my aches and pains.
RBSinTo

 

[spoox]

Hmm...it depends on the nurse...back in '95 after a dog show in a rainstorm during which I had some bronchial death, the Urgent Care doctor told me to go home and go to bed.
My wife let our Manx Fenoderee in the bedroom and he kept poking me in the face to see if I wanted to play fetch.
After 2 hours of this he was discharged from the case.

 

[Nuuska]

 

[lungimsam]

Dr. Zoey applying heat while I recovered from a respiratory bug last week. She’s just started her second year of practice.

And a shot of my previous doctors…clockwise from upper left…Dr. DooDoo (personal physician for 15.5 years), Dr. Princess(2.5 years), Dr. Minnie(7.5 years), Dr. Johnny(16.5 years)…

In my childhood home we had a Himalayan cat named Fluffy and she would, on her own, go and sleep in the bed with whoever was sick. Excellent diagnostician.

 

[RBSinTo]

Dr. Zoey applying heat while I recovered from a respiratory bug last week. She’s just started her second year of practice.

And a shot of my previous doctors…clockwise from upper left…Dr. DooDoo (personal physician for 15.5 years), Dr. Princess(2.5 years), Dr. Minnie(7.5 years), Dr. Johnny(16.5 years)…

In my childhood home we had a Himalayan cat named Fluffy and she would, on her own, go and sleep in the bed with whoever was sick. Excellent diagnostician.

lungimsam,
It seems that many people have experienced Furry Medicine but just didn't know the correct term for it.
RBSinTo

 

[lungimsam]

Haha! Anyone with a pet knows!

 

[Nuuska]

I did not before this - and as far I know there's no finnish word or expression for it either - I have to come up with one.

I did once invent a new german verb - imurieren - and introduced it to a german lady - later she told her son started using it - so if you hear it in future - you'll know where it came from.

 

[crank]

You must have some really bad bourbon if you're cleaning paint brushes with it. lol

Love our cats but will stick with my whiskey.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

"Soft kitty warm kitty little ball of fur..."

I like bourbon for an aching back.

 

[RBSinTo]

I did not before this - and as far I know there's no finnish word or expression for it either - I have to come up with one.

I did once invent a new german verb - imurieren - and introduced it to a german lady - later she told her son started using it - so if you hear it in future - you'll know where it came from.

Nuuska,
My Teemu Selanne English-Finnish decoder ring came up with
"Karvainen laake".
Whatcha think?
RBSinTo