What is Animal Chiropractic?

Animal Chiropractic, also referred to as Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy, is a form of heath care involving palpation and manipulation of an animal’s vetebra in order to improve their overall health. This therapy is provided by either a Veterinarian or Chiropractor, with training in animal chiropractic. When using their hands to palpate an animals spine, the doctor compares the motion of each vertebrae to those around it to get an impression of the flexibility and range of motion in the joint. Subluxations occur when there are restrictions in the joint motion, and adjustments can be made to correct the restrictions. When a vertebral chiropractic adjustment is made, a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust is performed which sends impulses that affect nerves, blood and lymphatic flow into and out of the spinal cord. Adjustments can be made in the spine, neck, pelvis, head, and extremities.

Chiropractic therapies improve an animal’s biomechanical movement, help alleviate pain, and support other areas of health as well. Each vertebrae corresponds to different vertebral segments of the spinal cord which send nerve signals to both the periphery and deeper within the animal’s body. The better the vertebrae move, the better the nerve signaling, blood and lymph flow can be, which benefits the body as a whole.