Animal Chiropractic care is a manual therapy, which can be used for many health and performance problems. Chiropractic focuses on the abnormal movements of the spine and the effects these restrictions have on the nervous system and the entire body.

The goal of chiropractic treatment is to maximise mobility and optimise nervous system function to allow unrestricted exchange of information between the brain and all the body's organs.

Restricted mobility between two vertebrae (a vertebral subluxation complex) can adversely effect and/or irritate the nerves that exit the spine.

Prior to chiropractic treatment, a full medical history of the animal is taken; the entire spine and limbs are examined to identify restricted movement in individual joints. If a restriction in motion is detected, the affected joint will be adjusted.

Chiropractic treatment does not replace traditional veterinary medicine and all treatment is carried out with veterinary consent; however, it can provide additional means of diagnosis and treatment options for spinal problems, musculoskeletal disorders and internal organ dysfunction. Chiropractic is also an effective treatment for acute or chronic pain syndromes.

Acute tension or stiffness

Chronic musculoskeletal problems

Complementary treatment for chronic lameness such as OCD, hip dysplasia, bone spavins, navicular syndrome etc

Enhance performance of sporting animals

Maintain soundness in older animals

Maintain fitness

Chiropractors define a VSC (subluxation) as the limited mobility of adjoining vertebrae and their facet joints or the functional misalignment of a vertebra.

If a VSC exists, the animal loses normal flexibility of its spine, affecting performance and resulting in pain, stiffness and muscular tension. Reduced mobility between two vertebra can affect the spinal nerves. These nerves exit from the spinal cord, between the vertebrae, and should provide an unrestricted flow of information between the brain, muscles, skin and all other organs.

Negative alteration in the nerve's function can lead to interference in the flow of information, which is necessary for the smooth coordination of body functions and muscle contractions. Poor coordination and/or dysfunction in organs, such as the heart or digestive system can result.

Some subluxations cause only slight impairments where the animal may be less mobile, active or playful. Increased sensitivity to touch in certain areas of the body can also be a sign of disturbed nerve function.

Every movement, from the simple to the complex, is made possible by synchronising many muscles. If the function of the nerve fibres, which stimulate these muscles, is altered, coordination deteriorates. This lack of coordination may cause injury to other joints and tendons or ligaments in the legs.

VSC's can cause noticeable impairment in the performance of  both sporting, racing and performance dogs and horses.

An animal with a VSC will change its posture to compensate for the restricted mobility of its spine and to avoid pain, thus affecting its performance. Increased mechanical strain on other parts of the spine and extremity joints is also experienced, causing secondary restrictions and deterioration of the condition.

When a trained animal chiropractor identifies a subluxation, he/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 maneuver that moves the affected joint through its full range of movement, without exceeding the boundaries of anatomical integrity.

This is done with the hands placed on the identified subluxated vertebrae. Only subluxated vertebrae are adjusted. A chiropractic treatment includes examination of the limbs and temporomandibular joint (jaw).

Unlike some other non-specific manipulation methods, chiropractic treatment does not overstretch ligaments; it works within the normal anatomical limits of the joint and its supporting structures.

This is a question that is answered on an individual basis for each animal after examination. Most animals show significant improvement after 1-4 treatments. Chronic problems usually take longer to resolve requiring more chiropractic treatment, whereas acute problems often resolve more quickly.

In most cases, a single treatment is not enough to eliminate the problem because the goal of chiropractic treatment is to address neurological function in the spine and restore
mobility. It is then the task of muscles and ligaments to support the spine and maintain this new aligned position.

A chiropractor adjusts the spine to restore normal motion in the joint. This may need to be done a number of times, until the body accepts the normal motion and the muscles and ligaments support and maintain that motion.

Animals with chronic conditions such as arthrosis, hip dysplasia or spondylitis, navicular syndrome etc where restricted joint movement appears as a result of disease, respond very well to regular supportive care every 2-6 months.

When done correctly, chiropractic treatment can be an effective way to maintain the health of your animal. It can be used for chronic as well as acute problems. With chronic joint diseases, such as spondylosis, arthrosis, hip dysplasia and disc pathology, chiropractic treatment can support recovery and prevent secondary problems. Increasing the quality of life or health is important especially when treating older animals, but chiropractic treatment for younger animals is also recommended as a preventative measure. Chiropractic treats the cause not the symptom. It restores mobility enabling the animal to maximise its performance potential and maintain health.

Different equestrian disciplines can cause specific subluxation patterns:

Dressage horses with subluxations in the lumbar spine have difficulty bending correctly and executing lateral movements. Further consequences include poor engagement of hind limbs and a lack of suppleness.

Show jumpers with subluxations in the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae have difficulty rounding their backs. They often land in cross canter and have problems changing the lead in canter.

Endurance horses with subluxations in the thoracic and cervical spine often demonatrate soreness in the back and an unlevelled gait rhythm. Further effects are a noticeable drop in performance as well as a stiff neck.

Driving horses with subluxations in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae drop one shoulder, move on two tracks and tend to pull or show gait abnormalities.

Western horses with a restriction in the lumbar vertebrae and the sacroiliac joints have difficulty in bending laterally and show single sided problems in turns and spins, as well as undefined lameness in their forelimbs.

Trauma: caused by falls, trips, slips or being cast in the stable.

Narcotics: the entire general anaesthetic procedure can cause back problems.

Transportation: long journeys, accidents, poor shock absorption in the trailer and unsympathetic driving can cause damage.

Birthing difficulties: difficult births where the foal is forcibly extracted can cause problems in both the mare and foal.

Lack of movement: lack of space in which to move does not give the horse enough opportunity to ease tension by bucking or rolling.

Performance: every event strains the spine in a different, specific way.

Rider: problems with the rider's seat can lead to back problems in the horse.

Shoes: poor hoof care and incorrect shoeing interfere with the horse's movement resulting in subluxations of the spine.

Saddle: poorly fitting saddles are one of the most frequent causes of back problems.

Age: as age increases the effects of previous small and/or large traumas to the spine become more apparent.

Animals with VSCs may present with many symptoms, the most common of which is pain. Animals with back pain often express this in their posture and/or their reluctance to work or be touched.

The animal attempts to compensate for the pain by changing its posture and way of moving, but this can result in other problems such as joint changes. Subluxations in the spine can affect muscle coordination and mobility of the horse, thereby causing pain and / or decreased performance.

The following symptoms may occur:

Reduced performance

Abnormal posture

Biting, pinning back of ears

Swishing tail when saddled

Abnormal/irregular gait rhythm

Stiffness when bending and in general posture

Muscular atrophy

Brushing/ over-reaching

Difficulty engaging hind quarters

Difficulty working 'long and low'

Difficulty flexing at the poll

Lameness

Uneven wear of shoes

Reluctance to jump

Throwing head back / up

Hollowing back

Difficulty with collected / lateral gaits

Sensitivity to touch

Horse pulls on one rein

Rider's seat to thrown to one side

Asymmetrical or reduced perspiration

These are not exhaustive, however, it does demonstrate the many effects a VSC can have.