What is Chiropractic medicine?
Chiropractic in animals is the practice of diagnosing and treating malalignment of the spine and limbs. Diseases and activities of daily living (running, jumping, playing, riding, etc.) cause small changes called vertebral subluxation complexes. When these occur, many other changes take place in the nervous and muscular systems, these compensatory changes can lead to pain, swelling and altered use of a patient’s body. Adjusting these subluxations will allow these compensatory changes to resolve, which results in improved motion and decreased patient pain. There is a benefit to repeated chiropractic adjustments.
How do you adjust an animal?
Basically chiropractic care is a manual method of treatment. The word “Chiropractic” comes from the Greek meaning “To perform with the hands”. Adjusting an animal is somewhat similar to being adjusted by a human chiropractor in that once the animal chiropractor finds an area that has either decreased or restricted motion the doctor applies a high force low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint thereby restoring normal movement.
What kind of training does a certified animal chiropractor have?
They are either a Doctor of Chiropractic or a Veterinarian
They have successfully completed one of the 3 recognized animal chiropractic schools. Those schools are Options for Animals Healing Oasis and Parker Chiropractic College
They are certified either by the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) or the IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association). There is NO Board certification in animal Chiropractic.
What are the benefits of Chiropractic medicine?
Improved immune system
Improved joint function
Decreased need for medication
Decreased risk of arthritis
Optimal rest and metabolism
Optimal physical endurance
When should I make an appointment for a Chiropractic adjustment?
Arthritis
Acute injury- muscle strain or sprain, soft tissue injury, catastrophic trauma (falls, hit by car)
Chronic injury- Arthritis, difficulty climbing up or down the stairs, jumping
Limping for unknown reasons
Hip Dysplasia
Postural or behavioral changes