Animal chiropractic care is an alternative, drugless method of health care. Chiropractic does not pretend to encompass the the entire study of health and disease, but it does offer alternative explanations for disease and provides complementary therapy. Just like humans, animals have a nervous system and the two most important parts are housed within the skull and spinal column. Animal chiropractic care deals with removing interference to the nervous system.
The spinal cord carries the nerves that send messages to every organ and tissue of the body. These nerves exit the spinal column between the bones of the spine, which are called vertebrae. Although the number of vertebrae each animal has may differ from that of a human, they have the same function. The science of chiropractic has discovered throughout the last one hundred years that a misalignment of joints (subluxation), especially the vertebrae, adversely alters nerve function from and around those areas. Altered nerve impulses leaving the spinal column can affect the function of organ and tissues supplied by that nerve. This altered fuction can lead to pain, disease, fatigue, muscle weakness, poor balance, immune suppression, etc.
After recieving a vet referral, we glady take on animals as patients. During the first visit, we take a thorough case history, consisting of subjective information from the owner, information previously determined from exams, x-rays, or lab analysis, and information of previous diagnoses and therapies. Prior to any spinal, extremity or cranial adjustments, an examination is performed. The examination includes procedures such as: posture analysis, gait analysis, vertebral, extremity and cranial palpation, and range of motion evaluation. The information from the case history and examination are combined to determine a working diagnosis. We then decide what course of action to proceed with, including adjusting vertebral subluxations, adjusting subluxations in the extremities, and/or referring the patient back to his primary care veterinarian for further examination or care.
Adjustments to an animal are performed just as they would be on a human. We utilize a combination of Koren Specific Technqiue with Arthrostim, Matrix Energetics, and Bio-Kinetics. More information on each of these techniques is listed in the About Us tab. After an adjustment, many animals will show immediate improvement. Sometimes, as with humans, there is a 24-48 hour period of tiredness.
For resolution of acute pain, some animals require a few treatments. Often, with chronic health problems, we may wish to see the animal several times in order to maintain and re-establish normal function of the joints and nervous system. Keep in mind, chiropractic does not replace traditional veterinary medicine, but works very well in conjunction with it!