Chiropractic care is going to the dogs
Most of us have heard of chiropractors and think of them as the people you go to see when you have back pain. But what exactly is Chiropractic, and how can it help our canine companions?
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a science-based, manual therapy practice that aims to restore and preserve normal healthy function in the body, with a particular focus on the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. This is done via careful examination, diagnosis, and treatment of vertebral subluxation complexes (VSC’s).
What is a VSC?
A VSC is an aberrant relationship between two bony surfaces that make up a joint, and the resulting sequelae that can arise when these structures aren’t articulating properly. When a joint isn’t moving properly, the joint itself can begin to undergo degenerative changes, as can the neural and muscular structures surrounding it. This can present as pain, altered sensation, and impaired function. Loss of movement leads to the formation of fibrotic tissue and adhesions, making the area feel stiff. If left unchecked, it can also result in muscle atrophy, which can cause weakness and imbalances.
We’ve all experienced the discomfort of having “slept funny” or “pulled something”. It hurts, it stiffens up, and though it may eventually calm down on its own, it’ll probably come back to haunt us again and again. The same goes for dogs!
How can Chiropractic Help?
Chiropractic is famous for its signature therapeutic approach, known as spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). This is a manual therapeutic procedure that helps to restore that lost motion, decrease pain, relieve tension, and restore proper nervous system function. SMT is performed using a very quick, controlled, and highly specific movement of the bone that isn’t articulating properly. This is commonly known as an “adjustment”. An adjustment provides healthy stimulation to the joint, helping it to restore and resume its normal (optimal) function. SMT is safe, effective, and compliments many other forms of therapy like rehab, acupuncture, electrical modalities, hydrotherapy, etc.
Veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (vSMT) is performed only by chiropractors and veterinarians who have undergone additional specialty training. These doctors are able to assess and treat VSC’s in animals using vSMT. Your veterinarian remains your pet’s primary care practitioner, but for many conditions and injuries, vSMT can be a powerful addition to your pet’s healthcare toolbox.
Who Needs Chiropractic?
Just like people, our companion animals can experience joint pain for any number of reasons at any stage of life. Senior pets begin to stiffen up and slow down. Puppies experience awkward growth spurts and goofy injuries. Athletic dogs push their bodies to perform at high levels. And every dog in between can experience incidental injuries, like tripping while running to catch a ball or landing badly when jumping off the couch. Although these are fairly normal incidents, and the dogs tend to “seem fine”, they are likely experiencing VSC’s that would benefit from assessment and possibly treatment, in order to avoid the cascade of pain, compensatory changes, loss of movement and loss of function that they try so hard not to show us. Though they try to mask their discomfort, here are some things to look out for:
Sensitivity to touch in certain areas
Limping, or any abnormality in their gait
Stiffness, or difficulty getting up/down
Weakness, or uneven muscular development
Reluctance to move or perform usual activities
Abnormal postures (sitting funny, arched back, stiff neck)
Change in behaviour, increased aggression
Reluctance to being picked up/leashed/collared/harnessed
Loss of full motion in any body area (head, neck, back, tail, legs)
If you notice any of the above, consider making an appointment with an animal chiropractor or veterinarian certified in vSMT. We love to work closely with your veterinarian to assist in the treatment of many conditions.
Commonly Treated Conditions
The primary responsibility for your pet’s health care (including diagnosis and treatment) remains with your veterinarian. These are just some of the conditions that can benefit from adding animal chiropractic/vSMT to your pet’s excellent care plans:
Arthritis
Musculoskeletal injuries
Surgical recovery
Lameness
Disc disease/back pain
Incontinence
Recurrent anal gland issues
This article is for information/education purposes only; see a registered chiropractor or veterinarian certified in animal chiropractic/vSMT for specific assessment, advice, and recommendations, or give us a call to book an appointment!
Dr. Caitlin Davidson, BScH, DC, Certified Animal Chiropractor
Member in good standing with the College of Chiropractors of Ontario (www.cco.on.ca)