Animal Chiropractic Care
What is Animal Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a therapy in which a doctor’s hands are used to affect joints of the spine. It focuses on the biomechanical dysfunction of the spine and its effect on the entire nervous system throughout the body.
History of Chiropractic:
The term "chiropractic" can be broken down into two words from the Greek language "cheir", meaning hand and "praktos" meaning done. Animal chiropractic care has been around since the early 1900's. Initially, it was only used for greyhounds and horses to improve their performance on the track. As veterinary care has progressed, chiropractic care has become a popular choice for many pet parents to help manage pain, and other health ailments.
What are the goals of chiropractic care?
- Mobilization of joints in the spine and legs.
- Restore normal range of motion.
- Reduction of muscle spasm and pain.
- Stimulation of the nervous system which in turn leads to the improved overall health of the animal.
What can I expect following an adjustment?
- Sometimes there is a 24-48 hour period of tiredness.
- Do not work the dog or allow rough play with other dogs for two days, however walking the dog is recommended.
- Some animals require a few sessions to resolve acute pain.
- Often, with chronic health problems, the doctor will want to see your animal several times to maintain and re-establish normal function of the joints and nervous system.
How many treatments will be necessary?
- Most dogs show significant improvement in two to four treatments.
- The purpose of the adjustment is to restore function to a joint in the spinal column and to realign the spine.
- The animal's muscles and ligaments of the spinal column must be able to maintain the correct alignment once the adjustment has been done.
- The condition of those supporting structures is what determines how many times and how often the patient needs to be treated
- Chronic conditions tend to take more time and treatment.
- More recent minor injuries respond most rapidly.
- Several adjustment over two to four weeks are generally needed for the body to accept and maintain the new corrections.
- Age and conditioning are the other major factors as to whether the subluxations may reappear.