Why Chiropractic?

Animals can't tell us when they have aches and pains, or when they've injured themselves.

Chiropractic care can help keep joints moving well and keep your animal healthy - preventing pain and dysfunction before it happens - as well as helping them heal more quickly after an injury.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments help maximize mobility and optimize nervous system function, helping your animal stay healthy and injury-free. Chiropractic is also an effective treatment for acute or chronic pain and inflammation that results from abnormal movement of the spine and the joints of the limbs.

Increased comfort and mobility

Better performance

Better focus & decreased anxiety

Improved gait & range of motion

Helps prevent injury & illness

Decreased pain, wear & tear

How Do I Know If My Animal Needs Chiropractic?

Observations

Has behavior recently changed?
Has performance/exercise recently changed? Stiffness getting up?
Does lameness exist?
Is movement straight and correct?
Does the animal drag toes/hoof? Are nails worn down on one side?
Is the animal sensitive to touch?
Are there signs of pain when being lifted or performing certain movements? Refusal to work?
Does the animal only lay on one side?
Are there lick granulomas on the legs or paws?

Examine Movement

Using a treat, ask the animal to turn its head and neck to the side so that it touches its nose to its flank. Less mobility to one side could indicate a problem in the cervical spine (neck).
Test lateral (side to side) movement. Gently push the hind end from side to side. If one side seems more stiff, there could be a problem in the lumbar or thoracic spine.
Place slight pressure on the back from above. It should move easily and evenly, spring and swing. It should not feel stiff and hard.

Feel the Muscles

Examine the animal's main muscle groups for pain, tension, and asymmetry. The muscles of a trained and fit animal should be symmetrical; feeling firmly elastic but not too hard or soft. If you place the muscles under medium pressure, the animal should not show signs of being in pain. Feel the whole body; there should not be hot or cold patches; the dog should maintain an even body temperature at rest.

Common Causes of Decreased Mobility

If a joint restriction is present, the spine loses its normal mobility. This can lead to stiffness, muscle tension, pain, and impairment of performance ability, even in day to day activities. Some common causes are:

Trauma

Caused by falls, trips, slips, or major accidents, such as in a car while in a collison.