Chiropractic treatment does not replace traditional veterinary medicine, however, it can provide additional means of diagnosis and treatment options for spinal problems as well as bio-mechanical neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. As the animal's veterinary remains the primary carer they must be contacted if you are considering using chiropractic treatment, and if the animal is lame must be assessed by your veterinary first.
Chiropractors diagnose and treat subluxation complexes which are the functional misalignment or limited mobility of a joint, especially the spine. Using specific adjustments, which are often gentle, chiropractic frees restricted joints, removing any nerve irritation to assist restoration of function and thus promote healing. The principles of chiropractic apply whether the body is bi-pedal or quadruped - About Chiropractic
All animals can benefit from chiropractic care regardless of age or activity. From their first few steps chiropractic can help to maintain normal joint function enabling them to grow up in balance, to old age when chiropractic can help to maintain the mobility that they have.
Chiropractic can be used for chronic musculoskeletal problems, as a complementary treatment for chronic lameness, for acute problems, maintaining soundness in older animals or as prophylactic treatment to sustain fitness and enhance performance ability.
Chiropractic care for animals does not include - dispensing of or recommendations for medications, surgery, injections or the replacement of traidtional veterinary care.
Common causes of Subluxation Complexes
- Trauma - falls, trips or slips
- Transportation
- Birthing difficulties
- Breed - some breeds are pre-disposed to problems e.g. Dachshunds with disc disease or Warmbloods with OCD
- Confinement - although sometimes unavoidable research has shown that the early signs of degenerative changes occur in joints after just 3 days confinement
- Performance - every discipline stresses the body in a different specific way & can cause repetitive micro-trauma
- Ageing - the effects of previous trauma becomes more evident with age. Although chiropractic cannot reverse the degenerative changes of arthritis is can maintain & improve the joint mobility
- Everyday activities - often injuries arise from the accumulation of small problems which can arise from any normal situation.
For horses there is also the consideration of:
- Saddle - must fit the horse and disperse the rider's weight evenly & should also fit the rider so that they are balanced
- Rider - problems with rider's seat can lead to back problems in the horse, sometimes the rider needs chiropractic treatment as much as the horse does!
- Harness - as with the saddle, harness should fit the horse and disperse the weight evenly
- Shoes - the shoeing of a horse can change the horse's movement
For dogs:
Possible Signs & Symptoms
- Acute neck or back pain
- Reduced performance
- Abnormal posture
- Abnormal gait rhythm
- Stiffness, shortening of stride or undefined lameness
- Reluctance to jump
- Changes in behaviour
- Hypersensitivity to touch
- Muscular atrophy
How Many Treatments?
Most animals show visible improvement after 1-3 treatments, although chronic problems may take longer.
Many animals benefit from periodic care every 2-6 months. Biomechanical problems are often the accumulation of smaller problems rather than a single large trauma. Periodic "check-ups" can help support the improvement already acheived, especially for chronic problems, as well as detect and resolve small, new problems before they become serious.
Aftercare
Most animals feel better straight away, however some may be slightly stiff or sore the next day.
Horses can be turned out immediately after treatment provided they don't tend to gallop around, if they do they need to be kept stabled for a few hours before they go out. Horses shouldn't be ridden for 24-48 hours after treatment and then light work for the next 1-2 days depending on the severity of the problem and the amount of treatment needed.
Similarly with dogs they can return to their normal routine, but rough playing, ball chasing and training should be avoided for 24-48 hours and then slightly reduced for the next 1-2 days.
In some cases it is necessary to embark on an exercise and rehabilitation programme to try to ensure that the animal has the necessary level of strength and fitness to cope with its activites, reducing the risk of further injury.
