Veterinary Chiropractic

What is Veterinary Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a modality of health care dealing with the nervous system. The spinal cord carries nerves that are distributed to every organ and tissue in the body. The nerves exit the spinal cord between the vertebral bones. A misalignment of the joints of the bones is calleda subluxation. The joint then becomes tight and pain develops in that region.

Altered nerve impulses in the spinal column can affect tissues supplied by that nerve in anadverse manner. The functions of the organs may also be affected due to the sympatheticnerves coming from the spinal cord. The effects of a subluxation can lead to pain, disease,muscle weakness, immune system suppression, etc.

A chiropractic adjustment is a high velocity, low force thrust with a specific line of drive to correct the misalignment and restore proper skeletal movement.

For more info, visit the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA)

Common conditions that can be managed with chiropractic therapy:

Muscle spasms & nerve problems
Neck, back, leg, and/or tail pain
Jaw problems/difficulty chewing

Will chiropractic hurt my pet?

For most small animals, chiropractic adjustments will not cause them any pain or discomfort.

How long do chiropractic treatments last and how often are they given?

The frequency of adjustments depends on how chronic the problem is; the more recent the fewer treatments it will take. Older animals heal slower than younger ones. Generally, pets receive 2-3 treatments in a two-week interval followed by an increasing interval of time. If an animal is older and arthritic, monthly intervals are a good idea. Each pet is unique.