Horses

What is Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy base their theories of disease on the connections between various body structures and the nervous system via the spinal column, and on the role of the spine in biomechanics and movement. Therapy is directed at the spine in order to modify the progression of disease. 

What is the history of Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy in veterinary medicine?
Spinal manipulation has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, including the early Chinese and Greeks. However, there is a distinct lack of historical documentation of its early use in animal species. In its modern form, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy theory and practice have developed within the last century. Early practitioners of modern chiropractic investigated its use in various animal species. As a distinct practice specialty, veterinary Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is a young profession that is undergoing rapid growth and evolution.

On which species of animals is Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy practiced regularly?
Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is frequently performed on horses, dogs, and cats, but can theoretically be performed on any vertebrate species.

Who practices Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy and do I need a referral?
Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist who work on animals must have specific training in both Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy theories and animal anatomy so that they are knowledgeable about the differences in biomechanics and neuromusculoskeletal function between humans and animals. In North America, a certification process is in place to ensure that practitioners possess the appropriate knowledge and skill to treat animals. 

What conditions are most often treated with Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?
Conditions with a neurologic or bio-mechanical origin are amenable to Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy. These conditions include degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia and spondylosis; cervical instability; acute neck pain; intervertebral disk 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.

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How can my pet benefit from Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is one of the few modalities in veterinary medicine where results are often immediate, and are often seen within minutes of treatment. In general, improvements are defined as an improved gait and an apparent reduction in pain. In orthopedic conditions such as fractures or ligament tears, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy may not replace the need for surgery, but will be useful in correcting secondary problems caused by compensation or overcompensation to the injury.

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Animals used for athletic performance or other working purposes are ideal candidates for Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy. By regularly assessing and maintaining maximum flexibility in these animals, injuries may be avoided. Animal athletes include horses used for racing, dressage or pleasure riding, and dogs used in racing, agility training or field trials.

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How successful is Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?

Like many holistic practitioners, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation doctors see the patient as a functional whole, rather than as a sum of its parts. Ensuring normal range of motion of vertebrae helps optimize function of lymphatics, blood vessels and nerves, which communicate between the spine and various body structures, allowing the body to function optimally to the point that further interventions may not be required. Applied correctly, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy can alleviate or eliminate the need for long-term drug or hormone treatments. The success of treatment depends upon the degree of pathology present and the duration of the condition.

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How safe is Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?

When performed by an experienced, trained veterinary professional, Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is generally considered to be safe. If adjustments are performed with the appropriate force, 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. Temporary low-grade discomfort (lasting 24 to 48 hours) may be experienced in a minority of patients following chiropractic treatment.

 

What is the cost of Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?

Comprehensive Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy involves a thorough history taking and physical examination, followed by a patient assessment and formulation of a treatment plan. It rarely involves a single visit, and costs will vary according to the specific condition being treated and the response of the patient. The fees associated with Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy are set by the individual practitioner, and will often reflect the experience and skill of the doctor. Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is usually very affordable, and is certainly a cost effective way of managing and resolving pain and weakness.

 

Can Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy is often combined with other forms of traditional and alternative veterinary medicine. There appears to be a particularly strong synergy between acupuncture and Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy. When multiple types of treatments are used, it may be difficult to determine the efficacy of Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy, unless the treatments are performed at different times. Certified veterinary practitioners have the knowledge and skill to understand the interactions between different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient's response to therapy. If your pet is receiving Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy from a practitioner other than your regular veterinarian, it is imperative that both individuals are kept updated about the ongoing treatment in order to provide coordinated care of your pet, to allow proper evaluation of treatment and to minimize any avoidable interactions or interferences.