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Veterinary Chiropractic

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WHAT IS VETERINARY CHIROPRACTIC?

 

Veterinary Chiropractic care is a manual therapy which can be used for many health and performance problems. It focuses on the biomechanical dysfunction of the spine and its effect on the entire nervous system throughout the body.

Veterinary Chiropractic treatment does not replace traditional veterinary medicine.  It can, however, provide an additional means of diagnosis and treatment options for spinal problems as well as biomechanical related musculoskeletal disorders. Veterinary Chiropractic can often eliminate the source of acute or chronic pain syndromes.

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VETERINARY CHIROPRACTIC CAN BE USED FOR

 

  • Chronic musculoskeletal problems

  • Acute problems such as tension or stiffness

  • Prophylactic treatment to maintain fitness

  • Maintain soundness in older animals

  • Enhance performance ability of sport animals

  • As a complementary treatment for chronic lameness such as bone spavin, navicular syndrome or tendon problems in the horse as well as arthrosis, spondylosis or tendon problems in the dog.

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RECOGNISING PROBLEMS IN HORSES

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  • Reduced performance

  • Abnormal posture

  • Snapping and pinning back ears when being saddled

  • Insubordination when being ridden

  • The attempt to free the spine by throwing  head back or up or by hollowing the back

  • Swishing tail and pinning back ears

  • Disobedience when jumping

  • Difficulties with collected or lateral gaits

  • Sensitivity to touch

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RECOGNISING PROBLEMS IN DOGS

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  • Reluctance to move

  • Abnormal posture

  • Disability to climb stairs or jump onto araised areas

  • Signs of pain when performing certain movements or being lifted

  • Disobedience when jumping

  • Altered sitting position (so-called “puppy sitting”) or lying on one side only

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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A TREATMENT

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When a chiropractor or veterinarian, professionally trained in animal chiropractic identifies a problem area, he or she aims to correct the misalignment of the spine and restore mobility to the facet joints.

Realignment is made via a quick, short thrust along the plane of the joint. This is called an adjustment. The adjustment is a very specific, high speed, low force manoeuvre that moves the affected joint beyond the normal physiological articular range of movement, without exceeding the boundaries of anatomical integrity. It is done by placing the hands directly on the affected vertebra (previously identified in the examination).

Even though horses have a very large, thick muscle mass over the spine, the vertebral joints are flexible and relatively easy to manipulate with minimal force. If the correct technique is used the ligaments are not adversely affected. 

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