Your Pet and Chiropractics

Pets can get chiropractic treatments just like us. In 1996, the American Veterinary Medical Association approved the use of some alternative therapies of animals – including chiropractic. Pets that have sustained injuries suffer from health conditions involving joints and muscles may benefit from treatment.

Many of us have not considered chiropractics as an alternative to some of the problems traditionally treated with medication and/or surgery. Just like any chiropractor, animal chiropractic specialists use techniques to spur the body’s own natural healing abilities via the nervous system.

Not all animal health problems are appropriate for chiropractic. But some of the specific conditions where animals can benefit from include:

Injuries related to accidents and falls
Sport injuries
Muscle spasm and tightness
Pinched nerves
Hip dysphasia pain
Disc problems
Arthritis
Wolbber’s syndrome

Some of the time pain or stiffness is obvious. Your pet may limp, have problems going up or down stairs, seems sensitive to touch on some parts of the body, or vocalize when moving just like we do when we feel pain. However, pain is not always apparent. If you have a pet that seem unusually restless, withdrawn, stops eating, or doesn’t sleep well, this could mean that they have some pain problems. Overweight pets often get joint problems because they’re not as active. Without proper movement, joints stiffen and become painful. Chiropractic adjustments can bring result in pain relief for our pets.

It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before finding a chiropractor that can work on your pet. Your vet may be able to recommend one. Animal chiropractors must be trained. Yes there is an Animal Chiropractic Accreditation Commission(ACAC). To be able to perform animal chiropractic one must complete an extensive curriculum, testing and clinical practice through an accredited training institution. Each student them must pass a final exam before receiving a certificate as an animal chiropractor(CAC).

After your pets examining and health history is look at, your chiropractor will decide on the specific course of treatment. He our she will also confer with your primary vet. Animal chiropractors use many of the same techniques used on humans. The type of your pets condition often determines the number of treatments. To be sure your pet’s recovery is progressing, your chiropractor may request follow-up examine appointments.

Most pets respond to adjustments. I often depends on the particular health problem. Some bounce back while some may seem fatigued for one of two days. For more information on chiropractic for animals, visit. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association’s web site at www.animalchiropractic.org