What is Veterinary Chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is based on the belief that every person (and animal) has within themselves the ability to maintain and self heal IF the body's nervous system is operating properly.  

The nervous system controls everything in the body, therefore anything affecting the nervous system will have an affect on the body's ability to maintain itself.

Every joint in the body is surrounded by muscles, ligaments and tendons that are full of nerve receptors. These receptors are constantly supplying the brain with information about the body.

A joint needs to be moving correctly to send the correct information to the brain. Remember that old adage that "the information coming out is only as good as the information going in"? Well that applies here. Poor information to the brain leads to less than optimal information coming out. This means the body is not operating properly.

A Chiropractic exam identifies these joints that are not moving correctly (they are stuck either partially or completely), and the chiropractic adjustment attempts to return normal motion to that joint.

When a joint in the spine is not moving, even more problems can be seen.  Nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae to innervate all areas of the body.  Anything that affects these nerves can affect the whole body.

When a Chiropractic exam is performed, each joint is checked for normal movement.  When an abnormality in movement is detected, then a chiropractic adjustment may be needed.  Areas that require adjusting are said to have a "subluxation".  The Chiropractic adjustment can be like the reset button on your computer.  The adjustment resets the body's nervous system to allow it to perform properly.

The horse's (and any other animal's) body is made to work smoothly and easily with all parts working together.  Extra joints were not provided as "spares". 

If any joint is not moving correctly, other areas are overworked to provide this movement.  This will then lead to other joints becoming biomechanically incorrect and the whole process snowballs. 

An overworked joint may also become loose (move too much).  If this occurs, the body tries to stabilize it.  This means inflammation, scar tissue and eventually bone --- arthritic changes.

Many people think that a Chiropractic adjustment "pops" a bone back into place.  If a bone were truly out of place, then a veterinary surgeon's services are needed because the joint is outside of its normal range of motion.  Chiropractic adjustments are made within the normal range of a joints motion.

The physiological zone is where normal joint motion takes place (where the muscles can actually move the joint.).  The paraphysiological space is where an adjustment takes place.  It is that small space that a joint can move into when pushed, but can not move into without help.  The anatomical barrier is made up of ligaments, joint capsule, etc -- everything that holds a joint together.  If a joint is "out of place" the joint has moved through this barrier into the pathological zone.

A Chiropractic adjustment is made to treat a joint that has decreased normal motion within the physiological zone.

How do I know my horse needs to be adjusted?  

A few of the problems you may see include:

  • Performance issues (ex. not taking a lead)
  • Behavioral issues (head shaking, crabby, etc.)
  • Lameness
  • Discomfort when saddled or when riding
  • Problems engaging rear end
  • Problems with lateral flexing or turning one direction
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Not flexing at the poll
  • Many  other issues -- muscle atrophy, uneven sweating, body rubbing or pushing against stall, etc.
  • EVERY horse can benefit from chiropractic.  It should be used for prevention rather than just a method of treatment.

 What causes a horse to need an adjustment?  

"Activities of normal daily living" can lead to areas not moving properly.  Just being a horse.  Other contributing factors include:

  • Trauma
  • Conformation
  • Saddle Fit
  • Shoeing
  • Confinement
  • Rider experience
  • Transportation
  • Age
  • Dental Issues
  • Anesthesia
  • Lameness with secondary Changes
  • Training and Performance
  • Anesthesia/Surgery
  • Foaling
  • ANY STRESS!

Should my horse be kept in a stall after the adjustment?

After your horse has been adjusted,  it is recommended that your horse have turnout time to allow the body to readjust itself.  (Please don't just stall them, they need to move!) 

How will my horse act during and after the adjustment?

Many horses take a deep breath and relax when an adjustment is made.  Licking and chewing, yawning, relaxing of the neck -- horses vary in their response.

Most horses relax after they are adjusted.  Some horses may be stiff for a few days but by 5-7 days after adjusting you should see the benefits of that adjustment. 

How many adjustments are needed to see an effect?

One exam with adjustments can have a profound affect on an animal but many times multiple adjustments are needed for full effect. These exams are usually at least 2 weeks apart.  After an exam you will be told how long to rest your horse and given any instructions on follow up treatment.

How often are adjustments recommended? 

The normal time is to recheck in 2-4 weeks after the first exam.  Timing of followup exams varies with each animal.  There is an additive effect -- sometimes it takes a few adjustments to realize the true benefits.  Depending on the condition, recommendations are made on frequency of visits, other treatment plans, etc.

How are adjustments made?

There are many different adjusting methods.  The hands alone are used to make most adjustments.  (An Activator may be used in some cases.)   Mallets are not part of chiropractic care.

Are Chiropractic adjustments safe?

Chiropractic adjustments are considered very safe when performed by qualified individuals. 

What does an adjustment actually do?

The Chiropractic adjustment attempts to return normal motion to a joint (or maintain as much movement as possible) by relieving the "subluxation".  This in turn allows normal flow of nerve impulses and relieves pain and muscle spasms caused by the problem. 

While cavitation (popping) may be heard on people receiving adjustments, muscle mass on a horse dulls most of this sound.  Most cavitation is heard on lower leg adjustments.  Note:  Just because cavitation is not heard does not mean an adjustment did not work.

While most people think of Veterinary Chiropractic care as being used for back pain or lameness, it is very useful for maintaining the health and treatment of many conditions.  ALL nerves to internal organs can be affected by spinal dysfunctions. 

While Veterinary Chiropractic care is used for treatment of a problem, it is best used as a preventative. Regular exams and adjusting of problem areas can lead to a healthier patient through prevention of larger problems.