ANIMAL CHIROPRACTIC       

In a healthy body the bones of the spine and joints are maintained in a specific alignment. The nerves which surround each joint and vertebral articulation are in constant communication with the central nervous system, brain and organs. When a subtle change in the alignment occurs, it is called a subluxation and affects the nervous system, local muscles, joints and even distant organs, glands and body functions. A chiropractic adjustment is a high velocity, short lever controlled thrust by hand or instrument directed at specific sites to correct subluxations of vertebral joints, extremity joints and cranial sutures.

Chiropractic is indicated for many conditions:

• Neck, back, leg and tail pain
• Muscle spasms and nerve problems
• Lameness, trouble getting up and down
• Sports injuries and accidents
• Jaw or TMJ problems, difficulty chewing
• Behavior or mood changes
• Post-surgical care and recovery from illness
• Maintenance of joint and spinal health
• Chronic health disorders that do not resolve as expected

Most pets accept both the chiropractic exam and adjustment without signs of pain. When a painful area is found, gentle techniques are used to reduce pain before delivering an adjustment. In cases of acute or extreme pain, the chiropractor will often delay the complete adjustment until the pet can be relaxed.Many pets show immediate improvement after an adjustment, but sometimes there is a 24-48 hour period of tiredness, or some pets require a few sessions to resolve acute pain. With chronic health problems, the chiropractor will want to treat the pet several times to maintain and re-establish normal function of the joints and nervous system.

Animal chiropractic should be performed by a veterinarian or a human chiropractor trained and certified in animal chiropractic. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association is the primary national credential for this field in North America. Certification is distinct from licensure in that it is voluntary and requires recertification to maintain the credential.

courtesy of AVCA