Tummy scratch beats

Dog Scratch Reflex: What is It?

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You know just where that dog sweet spot is that gets your pup's leg moving. But what brings on that reflex? Are dogs ticklish? Does it itch? Does this dog scratch reflex indicate that they love it or hate it when you touch their bellies?

Through some investigation, researchers have found a scientific reason why dogs get their kicks from a good ol' scratch session.

What Is a Dog Scratch Reflex?

The scratch reflex is an involuntary response that protects dogs from fleas, ticks and other sources of irritation, says Popular Science. A cluster of nerves located under the skin makes up the dog sweet spot. When you scratch your pet's tummy and hit this spot, these nerves get activated and send a message to the hind leg, via the spinal cord, to start kicking in an attempt to dislodge the source of irritation.

This doesn't necessarily mean your dog doesn't enjoy the sensation of being scratched in that spot. You can gauge your pup's level of enjoyment by paying attention to body language, Animal Planet suggests. Dogs who either don't like it or are tired of the sensation will typically try to move away. Also, a dog that frequently turns over to reveal their belly to you is signaling that they are comfortable with you and likely they are comfortable with the belly scratches you tend to give them at this time.

Why It Usually Works With Belly Scratches

With few exceptions, the dog scratch reflex most gets activated when you scratch or tickle certain areas of the belly and not, for example, the rump or the head. That's because the nerve clusters specific to this reflex are only located within a saddle-shaped region of the belly, known as the "receptive field of the reflex," says DogDiscoveries.com.

One theory on why this nerve reflex is localized to this region is that this area is not as mobile or protected as other parts of the body, leaving it more vulnerable to parasites and other irritants.

How the Scratch Reflex Works

At the turn of the 20th century, English neurophysiologist Sir Charles Sherrington became intrigued by this dog behavior and devoted considerable resources to its study.

According to his findings published in The Integrative Action of the Nervous System, the dog scratch reflex manifests in four stages:

The Latency Period: This is the slight delay between the time you start scratching your dog's sweet spot and the time the leg starts to kick. The delay is caused by the time it takes for the nerve to send scratching signals up the spinal cord to the brain, and then for the signal to travel back down to the leg and activate the kicking motion.
The Warm-Up: This is the time it takes for the leg to really get going. The kicking motion usually starts slowly and then builds in intensity as you continue scratching or rubbing the sweet spot.
The After Discharge: This refers to how sometimes the kicking motion will continue after you stop scratching or move your hand away. Just as the signal to start kicking takes time to reach the leg, so does the signal that it's OK to stop.
Fatigue: Scratching for too long in the same spot can cause the reflex to tire out, which is why sometimes your dog's kicking slows and stops even though you keep tickling the same spot. It needs time to rest before it can become active again.

The dog scratch reflex might be amusing, but it serves a purpose in protecting your dog from pests and provides key insights into their neurological health. Whether your dog is aware of any of this, or whether they just like the sensation of getting their sweet spot scratched, one thing is almost certain — belly rubs are pretty awesome.

Contributor Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies.

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Can bumping my pregnant belly hurt the baby? | Your Pregnancy Matters

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Your Pregnancy Matters

October 8, 2019

Your Pregnancy Matters

Shivani Patel, M. D. Obstetrics and Gynecology

Your baby bump will probably get bumped while you're pregnant, particularly if you have young children. It is almost always harmless. But if you suffer abdominal trauma, such as getting in a car accident, call your doctor.

Patients experiencing their first pregnancies often wonder (and worry) about common questions, such as:

Am I supposed to feel the baby kicking yet?
Why can’t I sleep?
Will having an occasional glass of wine hurt the baby?

Often, talking with a doctor or another mom can relieve these concerns. But one question tends to linger for new and experienced patients alike: Will bumping my belly hurt the baby?

The answer is almost always no. Some abdominal contact is inevitable and typically harmless during pregnancy, from doing daily tasks at work to managing rambunctious toddlers and pets. The rare exceptions usually involve abdominal trauma, such as getting in a car accident.

We’ve put together a run-through of common concerns patients raise, including activities that are generally safe, tips to avoid abdominal trauma, and when to see the doctor.

How protected is the baby in the womb?

In general, women’s bodies are not fragile. Historically, women have worked hard on farms and in factories throughout their pregnancies. Many still do today.

The uterus is a muscular organ that protects the baby from the jostling and bouncing of mom’s day-to-day. When combined with the shock absorbers of the amniotic fluid and the weight you gain during pregnancy, your baby is padded from the effects of most daily abdominal contact.

Abdominal trauma is different. Vehicle accidents, falls, and overzealous lifting can be forceful enough to harm the baby. However, you can take precautions to reduce the risk of abdominal trauma, which we’ll outline below.

Abdominal contact: Safe activities

The following activities are generally safe for women whose pregnancies are not high risk.

Big hugs from toddlers

Not much can beat the feeling of a toddler running to you for a big hug. And, for most patients, the force of a 20- to 40-pound child bumping your belly is not enough to harm the baby. That said, toddlers can be unpredictable, and a hug could quickly turn into flailing arms and legs, which might cause abdominal injury or a fall.

Consider explaining a safer way to hug you. You might say, “Mommy loves when you hug me! But while my tummy is big, please walk to me so I don’t get hurt.”

Extra love from pets

Dogs and cats might jump up on you or plop on your lap when you least expect it. While pets under 40 pounds are unlikely to hurt your baby with pawing or bouncing, they can be a tripping hazard. Make sure you get a visual on your pet when you enter a room to avoid falling.

Pets over 40 pounds can jump or land with enough force to hurt you or potentially harm the baby. Teach the pet not to jump or ask someone to kennel the pet when you are present.

Related reading: Is your pet ready for you to have a baby?

House and yard work

It’s generally safe to mow your lawn, garden, wash the car, and conduct other household chores during pregnancy (sorry to blow your cover!).

That said, listen to your body. If you feel fatigued or sore, take a break. Avoid climbing ladders or working on uneven or slick surfaces to reduce the risk of falling. Also, stay hydrated and avoid heavy lifting.

Abdominal trauma: When to use extra caution

In the following scenarios, consider the suggested precautions to protect your growing baby.

Heavy lifting

While not necessarily related to bumping the belly, patients often ask whether it’s safe to lift babies, groceries, and objects at work during pregnancy.

Heavy lifting and repetitive lifting motions have been associated with pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and maternal injury such as a pulled muscle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that women in certain professions are at increased risk, including: childcare providers; health care workers; law enforcement officers; service workers; and teachers.

You don’t have to avoid all lifting, but you should follow the guidelines recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Most non-high-risk patients can occasionally lift people or objects up to 36 lbs through approximately the 20th week of pregnancy. From week 21 on, occasional lifting should be capped at 26 lbs. If your job requires you to lift more than the recommended limits, talk your Ob/Gyn.

Women who lift routinely (every day or several times a week) can lift people or objects up to 18 lbs through 20 weeks gestation and up to 13 lbs from 21 weeks to delivery. If you care for a child or adult who exceeds these weight limits and requires lifting, talk with your doctor. In-home resources are available to alleviate lifting duties during pregnancy.

After delivery, during the post-partum period, follow the 21-week-plus guidelines until your provider clears you to resume regular activities.

Driving or riding in vehicles

Car accidents are the No. 1 reason pregnant patients call our office with concerns about abdominal trauma. Often, they’ve hit their belly on the steering wheel or strained against the seatbelt hard enough to leave marks.

For a safer ride or drive, wear your seat belt properly. Adjust the belt low on your lap, below your belly. Position the shoulder strap between your breasts, which will naturally move it to the side and away from your stomach. To avoid serious injury, ACOG recommends never putting the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back.

When driving, you might need to adjust your seat back as your belly grows to keep a comfortable length from the steering wheel.

If you are in any vehicle accident, no matter how small, visit your doctor as soon as you can. Injuries that affect the baby or your internal organs might not cause immediate symptoms, and it’s best to find issues early.

Nesting

Nesting, or the urge to get everything ready for the baby’s arrival, can make you feel energized and strong. But don’t give in to the urge to move furniture yourself or haul heavy totes out of storage. Ask for help to move and unload the baby’s things. You can still direct the project.

Working out

It’s important to get exercise during pregnancy, though you will probably need to make some modifications as pregnancy progresses. Your balance will change as your abdomen grows, and the shift will be more noticeable during exercise than during everyday activities.

On the treadmill: Position yourself toward the middle or back of the belt so you don’t bump your belly against the console. Clip on the emergency stop pulley in case you fall or need to stop suddenly.
Lifting: Limit the amount of weight and avoid lifting with your back. Also, check your form – balance properly and protect your joints. Also consider using a spotter.
Hot yoga: Avoid this form of yoga during pregnancy. Research has shown that too much heat can be detrimental to the baby. But feel free to continue doing other types of yoga during pregnancy – it’s a safe, fun way to exercise during any trimester.

When to call the doctor

You can reach out to your doctor any time you are concerned about a belly bump. Call your provider immediately if your water breaks or you experience any of these symptoms of abdominal trauma:

Reduced or absent fetal movement
Vaginal bleeding
Contractions before 37 weeks gestation

Note: Contractions might not be painful. They might feel like cramping or abdominal tightness. If you press on your abdomen and can’t indent the uterus, you’re likely having a contraction.

Even if you don’t experience symptoms after an abdominal trauma, call your provider. The doctor might ask you to come in for an exam to monitor the baby’s movement and heart rate.

With a few modifications, your baby bump doesn’t have to radically change your day-to-day activities. Follow the guidelines and talk with your doctor if you’re unsure – it’s always better to ask than to worry!

Do you need to see an Ob/Gyn? Call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

You may associate post-traumatic stress disorder with survivors of assault, war, or natural disasters. But as maternal-fetal specialist Dr. Shivani Patel will tell you, symptoms of PTSD can weigh heavy on moms who had complex pregnancies. She knows from personal experience.

Abdominal injury

Alexander Sivolobov, DocDeti pediatrician, will tell about the abdominal trauma.

Blunt abdominal trauma ranks third in the list of causes of childhood deaths due to trauma (in the first place - head injuries, in the second - chest). Abdominal injury very often goes unrecognized as a fatal injury.

The problem is damage to the soft internal organs (liver, spleen, pancreas). Injuries to hollow organs (stomach) and blood vessels in the abdomen occur less frequently, however, such injuries are more dangerous. With such injuries, there is a risk of internal bleeding, which can not be seen from the outside. nine0003

Often, children are injured in road accidents (when they are fastened with a belt only through the stomach), in accidents between a pedestrian and a car, when riding a bicycle, playing sports, when falling from a height.

It is important to assess the mechanism of injury: when it was received, with what force, what direction of impact, what and under what circumstances. You should try to remember this information and pass it on to doctors so that they can understand and assess the situation, make predictions.

If your child was hit in the stomach, you need to assess the safety of the situation for you, so as not to increase the number of victims, get out of the way.

Once in a safe environment, call an ambulance, use the speakerphone or ask others to call it. Please note that the operator should hang up first, not you.

Next, you need to assess the child’s breathing, whether he is conscious, perhaps cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required right now. nine0003

When consciousness and breathing are under control, check for signs of external bleeding, stop it by applying pressure to the wound if necessary.

Abdominal pain in a child requiring treatment
Bleeding from the rectum and genitals
Bruising from a seat belt or bicycle handlebar in the abdomen
Pale skin
Bloating
Nausea or vomiting

If these symptoms are present, you should take a comfortable position (for example, pull your knees to your stomach, relax your belt and collar) and expect SP.

You need to be prepared for the fact that the child is hospitalized, blood and urine tests, ultrasound, CT of the abdominal cavity may be needed. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the child for at least a day. We hope that after reading this article, you will check the correct fastening of the seat belts in the child seat, you will be safe on a walk and install locks on all windows. nine0003

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Mistakes in the treatment of atopic dermatitisSee all articles , and look perfect without a shirt, you should train the transverse abdominis muscle. nine0003

Alena Romanchenko

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The transverse abdominis is located directly behind the rectus abdominis (abs), the transversus abdominis horizontally wraps around the lower abdomen like a belt, hugging the internal organs and stabilizing the spine. It contracts automatically whenever you move your arms or legs.

Contents of the article

This is the key benefit of working with this hidden and often overlooked core muscle: the stronger your transversus abdominis, the more stable you will be and the more strength and power you can put into every movement you make. You can safely squat with heavy weights, deadlift, lift heavy dumbbells, and maybe even do a few more reps on the bar. nine0003

Strengthening the transversus abdominis also relieves chronic low back pain.

Add plank and hollow hold exercises to your weekly training plan. The main action in these two exercises is to pull the navel to the spine, so you directly engage the transverse abdominis muscle. This is called a "pull-up" and to make the movement effective, just imagine that you are about to be punched in the stomach.

The plank is a classic way to work the transverse abdominis. Incorporating the following exercises into your training program will ensure that you work the transverse abdominis from different angles and thereby optimize its strength. nine0003