Veterinary Chiropractic Care

What is chiropractic?

The term chiropractic refers to manual therapy used to manipulate muscles and joints, especially the intervertebral joints in the spine. The goal of this therapy is to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall wellness.

Depending on where you live, the terms chiropractic or chiropractor may be protected and can be used only by human chiropractors. Other terms for chiropractic care include veterinary spinal manipulation therapy (VSMT) and musculoskeletal manipulation (MSM).

Manual therapy techniques used in chiropractic treatments include stretching, controlled pressure, and joint manipulation to specific joints, spine, or soft tissue. Chiropractic treatments also use adjustments: controlled, quick, but gentle thrusts into specific vertebrae using precise angles in relation to a nearby intervertebral joint. Sometimes, adjustments are also made to limb joints.

"Therapy is often directed at the spine to modify the progression of disease."

Chiropractic theory of disease is based on the connections between various body structures and the nervous system, via the spinal column, as well as the spine’s role in biomechanics and movement. Therapy is often directed at the spine to modify the progression of disease.

What species of animals is chiropractic usually performed on?

Chiropractic manipulation is frequently performed on horses, dogs, and cats, but can theoretically be performed on any vertebrate species. It may be helpful as part of a rehabilitation program.

What is involved in chiropractic evaluation?

An appropriate evaluation should include:

• A complete discussion of your pet’s health, medical history, and any concerns you have.
• An understanding of what physical activity your pet currently and historically has performed.
• A thorough review of all previous health records or diagnostic tests.
• Evaluation of your pet’s gait.
• A complete physical examination, including neurologic and musculoskeletal assessments.
• Physical manipulation to assess your pet’s entire body, not just the troubling area.
• Explanation of possible reasons for your pet’s condition prior to any treatment. Depending on your pet’s condition, additional testing may be recommended prior to any treatment.
• Treatment considered helpful based on the evaluation.
• Discussion of changes you have seen since the treatment.
• Specific instructions on follow-up required and what you can do at home to help your pet.
• Thorough medical records documenting the above.

Who practices veterinary chiropractic and do I need a referral?

Chiropractors who work on animals must have extensive additional training in both chiropractic theory and animal anatomy, so they are knowledgeable about the significant differences in biomechanics and neuromusculoskeletal function between humans and animals.;

In North America, a certification process ensures that practitioners have the appropriate knowledge and skills to treat animals. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) is responsible for this certification. Its members have specific designations, depending on their level of training:

• "Animal Chiropractor" is a Doctor of Chiropractic with AVCA certification
• "Veterinarian Certified in Animal Chiropractic" is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) with AVCA certification 
• "Veterinary Chiropractor" is both a Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with AVCA certification

In some North American jurisdictions, certified animal chiropractors may be permitted to perform treatments without supervision. In other jurisdictions, chiropractors must be supervised by licensed veterinarians. The need for a referral varies by jurisdiction.

What conditions are most often treated with chiropractic?

Conditions with a neurologic or biomechanical origin may be amenable to chiropractic manipulation. These conditions include degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia and spondylosis; intervertebral disc disease; autonomic nervous system problems such as urinary and fecal incontinence; musculoskeletal weakness or pain that resists conventional diagnosis and treatment; and chronic back and neck pain. Chiropractic treatment is not a replacement for traditional veterinary care. Discuss chiropractic care with your pet’s veterinarian before treatment.

Are there any contraindications to chiropractic?

There are several conditions in which chiropractic may be detrimental to patients, including cancer, organ failure, fever, bleeding, fractures, acute intervertebral disc disease, and immune-mediated conditions.

How can my pet benefit from chiropractic?

Chiropractic may have immediate results, seen within minutes of treatment. In general, improvements include improved gait and an apparent reduction in pain. In orthopedic conditions such as ligament tears, chiropractic care may not replace the need for surgery, but may help address secondary problems caused by compensation or overcompensation for the injury. It may be recommended while waiting for surgery and afterward, to improve recovery.

"More research is needed to know exactly how effective chiropractic therapy is in specific situations and to define potential risks more clearly."

Animals used for athletic performance or other working purposes may be candidates for chiropractic treatment. Injuries may be avoided in these animals by regularly assessing and maintaining maximum flexibility. Animal athletes include horses used for racing, dressage, or pleasure riding, and dogs used in racing, agility training, or field trials.

Like many non-traditional therapies in veterinary medicine, more research is needed to know exactly how effective chiropractic therapy is in specific situations and to define potential risks more clearly.

How successful is chiropractic?

Although there is insufficient scientific support, some chiropractic practitioners believe that ensuring a normal range of vertebral motion helps optimize function of lymphatics, blood vessels, and nerves that communicate between the spine and various body structures. This optimization allows the body to function such that further interventions may not be required. Applied correctly, chiropractic adjustments may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term drug or hormone treatments. The success of treatment depends upon the degree of pathology present, the duration of the condition, and the skill of the practitioner.

How safe is chiropractic?

Chiropractic manipulation is generally considered to be safe when performed by an experienced, trained, veterinary professional. If adjustments are performed with precision and control, the patient will require a series of treatments, which will gradually result in restoration of health. However, if the force of an adjustment is excessive or the adjustment is applied at an incorrect angle, time, or location, serious and possibly irreversible damage to the patient can occur, including paralysis and death.

The most significant adverse effects documented in humans are strokes associated with cervical spinal (neck) manipulation. This effect has not been documented in animals. Temporary low-grade discomfort (lasting 24 to 48 hours) may be experienced in a minority of patients following chiropractic treatment.

Indirect harm may occur if chiropractic treatments are not used with traditional veterinary medicine. Chiropractic with insufficient pain control or delay of directed treatment, such as surgery for fracture or ligament injury, could result in unnecessary patient suffering.

Can chiropractic be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?

Chiropractic therapy should be used in combination with traditional veterinary care. When multiple types of treatments are used, it may be difficult to determine the efficacy of a chiropractic treatment unless the treatments are performed at different times.

Certified veterinary chiropractors have the knowledge and skill to understand interactions between different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient's response to therapy. If your pet receives chiropractic treatment from a practitioner other than your regular veterinarian, it is imperative that you keep both individuals updated about the ongoing treatment so they can provide coordinated care for your pet, allow proper evaluation of treatment, and minimize any avoidable interactions or interferences.

Where can I get more information about veterinary chiropractic?

Speak to your veterinary healthcare team if you are interested in learning more about chiropractic care for your pet.