Animal Chiropractic
Chiropractic offers tremendous potential in animal health care. It is a complementary therapy for the treatment of health and performance problems of horses and other large animals. It is a health care system based on movement and symmetry. Although chiropractic care does not replace traditional veterinary medicine and surgery, chiropractic offers and provides an alternative that often complements traditional care. Many musculoskeletal conditions respond dramatically, and rehabilitation can take place quickly and efficiently. When a portion of the spine is out of alignment this is called a subluxation. A subluxation causes decreased movement in the joints of the spine which can create a reaction in surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscles, and nerves) resulting in pain, dysfunction, and muscular spasm. A subluxation is treated by manipulating or adjusting the spine; thus putting it back into alignment -- back in balance.
How Are Subluxations Corrected?A proper examination and evaluation by a Veterinary Chiropractitioner is necessary to determine if a subluxation exists. If a subluxation does exist, the Chiropractor will correct the misaligned or "stuck" vertebra by performing what is called an adjustment. An adjustment is a short, rapid thrust onto a vertebra in a very specific direction that will restore movement into the fixated joint. Chiropractic is very specific, and adjustments are made on each vertebra directly. While delivering an adjustment the chiropractic uses a controlled force. Larger horses don't necessarily need more force than smaller ones. Each joint of the spine is movable, and if the correct angle is used, the adjustment is relatively easy, using very little force.
How Many Adjustments are Needed to Correct the Subluxations?
This is the most difficult question to answer and most commonly misunderstood aspect of chiropractic care. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore function to a joint in the spinal column and to realign or reposition the spine. The horse's muscles and ligaments of the spinal column must be able to maintain the correct alignment once the chiropractic has restored it. The condition of those supporting structures is what determines how many times and how often the horse needs to be treated. Thus, long standing, or chronic conditions tend to take more time and treatment, while minor injuries, corrected immediately, respond most rapidly. Several adjustments, over two to four weeks, are generally needed for the body to accept and maintain the new corrections. Most horses show significant improvement in one to four treatments. After that, age and conditioning are the major factors that affect whether or not the subluxations may reappear.
Does My Horse Need a Chiropractor?
Subluxations can cause a range of symptoms. The most common symptom is pain. Horses in pain will compensate in gait or posture and often refuse to perform. The following is a list of symptoms that may indicate pain from subluxation:
- Discomfort when saddling
- Discomfort when riding
- Abnormal posture
- Bucking, wringing tail, or pinning ears
- Refusing or unwillingness to go over jumps
- Refusing to perform lead changes
- Development of unusual behavior patterns
- Sensitivity to touch
Subluxations can also affect flexibility and or muscle coordination. The following is a list of conditions that may indicate a lack in flexibility and or muscle coordination:
- Lack of coordination in gait
- Improper frame
- "Lameness" that seems to move from limb to limb
- Stiffness coming out of stall
- Stiffness in lateral movement of the body or neck
- Muscle atrophy or shrinkage
- Shortened stride
- Decreased extension in or more limbs
- Inability to lengthen top line
- Inability to engage rear quarters
- Rope walking or plaiting
- Difficulty flexing at the poll
- Rider can not sit centered on horse
- On line or pulling on one rein
- General change in performance
Any of the above symptoms may indicate the need for chiropractic care. it is important that your animal Chiropractor and your Veterinarian work together for the health of your animal.
Disclaimer:
Dr. Michaelene Callahan is a doctor of Chiropractic, licensed in the care of humans. She has attended several hundred hours of education specific to animal chiropractic and is certified by the International Association of Veterinary Chiropractitioners and the American Animal Adjusting Association. Dr. Michaelene Callahan is not a veterinarian and cannot take responsibility for the primary care of your animal. Animal chiropractic care is to be used in conjunction with regular veterinarian care.
