Daily exercise and playtimes are an essential part of your beloved dog’s day. After all, if you don’t let your pup let out their energy productively, you’ll probably come home to chewed-up shoes or destroyed pillows.
Living an extremely active life can take its toll on your dog, though. When you see your dog walking much slower or struggling with painful joints, you might consider taking them to a chiropractor.
Chiropractic adjustments for dogs and other animals are slowly gaining popularity among pet owners and veterinarians.
It makes sense, though. If you can’t stand seeing your dog in pain, why wouldn’t you try a non-invasive and drug-free alternative treatment to help improve their condition?
What is Animal Chiropractic Adjustment?
Chiropractic is a holistic and alternative therapy commonly used for treating misaligned joints. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can help your beloved fur babies as well.
Chiropractic adjustment for animals has been around since the late 1980s. The treatment involves spinal manipulation or manual therapy. Canine chiropractors use low force to manually move parts of your dog’s spinal column, joints, and other vertebrae.
Almost any animal species can safely get chiropractic adjustment from certified chiropractors. In fact, horses are common patients for many certified animal chiropractors.
The chiropractic principles used to treat dogs and other animals are almost identical to those used in treating humans. The main difference is, of course, applying the techniques together with their knowledge of animal anatomy.
If you and your vet have agreed to rule out other treatment options for relieving pain, you may want to try animal chiropractic.
How Does a Dog Chiropractic Adjustment Work?
Your dog won’t be put under anesthesia or sedatives when they undergo a chiropractic adjustment. They will simply be held on the ground or a table while the chiropractor works their magic.
Sedated animals can’t resist when the chiropractor presses on an injured or hurt area. This lack of resistance can cause chiropractors to misjudge their treatment and result in an overcorrected spine or greater injury.
Your dog’s chiropractor needs to feel the joints and movement of your pet. Once they find an area where correction is needed, they will apply a gentle or low-force and specific thrust.
These thrusts help move misplaced vertebrae back to their original position. Doing so can help relieve pressure on the tissue around the area and relieve your dog’s pain. It also allows your dog’s body to heal itself naturally.
If you hear a pop or crack, don’t panic. Although those kinds of sounds are more commonly heard from people, it’s still normal to hear these sounds during chiropractic adjustments with animals.
Canine chiropractors usually start by checking and adjusting one side of your dog, then the opposite. After that, they move on to the neck and the legs.
Depending on your pup’s injury or condition before the adjustment, you might see a marked improvement in a week after just one session.
Of course, if your dog is older or has a more serious ailment, they might need a few more sessions before feeling like themselves again.
How Do I Know if My Dog Needs an Adjustment?
Animal chiropractic adjustments are recommended for dogs, horses, cattle, and other animals with biomechanical or neurologic conditions.
Biomechanical conditions refer to movement problems. These problems may be caused by incorrect joint usage or overstressed muscles. Chiropractic therapy allows your dog to regain more motion in their joints.
Here are some injuries and disorders that may benefit from a visit to your pet chiropractor:
● Tension or stiffness
● Muscle spasms
● Nerve problems
● Hip dysplasia
● Lameness
● Subluxation or vertebral misalignment
● Urinary incontinence
● Neck and back pain or injuries
● Muscle imbalance
● Back leg paralysis
● Degenerative spine and joint issues
● Neurologic disc problems
● Tail injuries
● Post-surgery recovery
It may come as a surprise to you, but dog chiropractic can also help relieve osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Though the treatment won’t reverse the wear and tear of your dog’s bones, it can help relieve inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
When Should Your Dog See a Chiropractor?
If your dog has already been diagnosed with any of the previously mentioned conditions, you can talk to your veterinarian about visiting a certified animal chiropractor.
There are also some symptoms you can watch out for that may indicate a serious ailment or medical condition. Slips and falls may result in injuries that could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment.
Always observe your dog for any problems moving or changes in their behavior. Some helpful signs of conditions a chiropractor can remedy include:
● Experiencing difficulty climbing stairs
● Walking strangely or with a limp
● Dragging their back legs
● Standing or lying down with trouble
● Hunching their back
● Sitting awkwardly, weirdly, or tilted to the side
● Refusing to move or decreases in activity level
● Jumping problems
● Fluctuating moods, especially among older pets
Even if you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, always consult your vet before booking an appointment with a dog chiropractor.
Any certified dog chiropractor will also consult your vet to get your dog’s full medical history and information. Your dog’s safest course of treatment relies on how well you, your trusted vet, and your dog chiropractor can work together.
Finding a Certified Animal Chiropractor
Professional dog chiropractic care has been recognized nationally with the help of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
Once you’ve talked to your vet and decided on going through with a chiropractic adjustment, reach out Peach Creek Chiropractic to meet with our dog chiropractor.
If you have pet insurance, don’t forget to ask your insurance provider about animal chiropractic coverage! Some providers cover various alternative treatments, including animal chiropractic, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy.
Conclusion
Animal chiropractic treatments offer great benefits, but it isn’t a magical solution to all pet injuries and conditions. Moreover, some dogs may not take to chiropractic adjustments well.
Dog chiropractic isn’t meant to replace traditional veterinary care. Rather, it’s something that is meant to complement and support the treatments your vet recommends or has previously tried.
If your beloved pet isn’t responding well to traditional treatments, maybe it’s time to try dog chiropractic. Just don’t forget to consult your vet and keep them in the loop!
