About chiropractic

Chiropractic is concerned with the treatment of disorders of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system and the effects of these disorders on overall health.

The treatment is best described as ‘complementary’ as it is used alongside traditional veterinary care rather than as an alternative. 

About the treatment

The chiropractic adjustment consists of a short, quick thrust to one specific joint at a time. This releases muscle spasm, alleviates pain and restores normal range of motion. The entire spine and all limbs are examined, and any restrictions of motion are treated.

Skilled spinal manipulation is not normally painful. Sometimes, certain aspects can be momentarily uncomfortable, however, chiropractic treatment is often sought out because of its overall effectiveness in reducing pain.

Most dogs thoroughly enjoy the treatment: it is quite common for them to become increasingly relaxed as the treatment progresses, even to the point of becoming drowsy.

Chiropractic is safe because it only works within the normal anatomic limits of a joint, hence ligaments are not overstretched.

What do I treat?

Chiropractors treat vertebral subluxation complexes: the function of a joint is movement and if this function is compromised structural changes begin to take place in the joint and surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscle and tendon, connective tissue, blood supply and nerves).

It is a common misconception that the treatment involves bones being 'out of place' and the chiropractor 'putting them back'. This is not really the case. A bone actually being out of place would involve complete or partial dislocation and severe damage to ligaments leaving the joint unstable. In fact a vertebral subluxation complex involves a joint being fixed within its normal position - it is unable to move fully through its range of motion.

The spine works as a chain. Each joint in the spine moves only a few degrees in each direction but when all of these are added together, great flexibility is allowed. If there is a restriction in the movement of a joint, its adjacent joints need to compensate by moving more – these joints then become hyper-mobile and increasingly prone to injury and degeneration. 

Every joint has nerves that relay information about its movement and position to the central nervous system. If this input is abnormal, either because there is irritation of the nerve or because the joint is not moving properly, it is difficult for the nervous system to maintain smooth coordination of body functions and appropriate muscle contractions.

In this way the body can develop abnormal movement patterns. A young, fit dog is often able to hide these by developing compensatory areas of fixation and hyper-mobility, however he will be at risk of injury and, in the long term, pain and degeneration.

The aim of chiropractic treatment is therefore to restore normal function of the spine and other joints so that there is normal input to the central nervous system.

How many treatments?

Most dogs show visible improvement after 1-3 treatments. Acute problems often respond quickly, while longstanding problems may require further sessions. Dogs with chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia or spondylosis respond very well to regular supportive treatment every 2-6 months. Working dogs can benefit from regular check-ups so that underlying problems can be identified and treated before they begin to impact on the dog’s performance. 

Aftercare

Most dogs feel better straight away, however some may be slightly stiff or sore the next day. They may also be sleepy or off their food for a short time. The dog can usually return to their normal routine but rough playing, ball chasing and training should be avoided for a couple of days.

In some cases it is necessary to embark on an exercise and rehabilitation programme to try to ensure that the animal has the necessary level of fitness to cope with the demands made upon it and to reduce the risk of further injury.

I can send a fully detailed, written report to the referring veterinary surgeon if they would like this for their records.

Chiropractic and the law

In the UK no one may use the title 'Chiropractor' unless they are registered with the General Chiropractic Council. This guarantees to the public that they are fully educated, having undertaken a course at an accredited chiropractic college. One of the requirements for maintaining registration as a chiropractor is to fulfill 'continuing professional development' requirements, which essentially means that all chiropractors must continue with post graduate training each year to maintain the highest standards of patient care. Due to the exacting standards set by the GCC, you can be confident that registered chiropractors are competent and safe.

In the UK the only therapies that may be used on animals by anyone other than their owner or a vet are manual therapies: physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy. Animals can only be treated with the knowledge and agreement of their own vet. In many cases the vet will need to examine your dog and make a diagnosis before chiropractic treatment can begin. If your dog is ill, lame, or has suffered any trauma you MUST see your vet first, and complete the vet's permission form (Word 60KB). Otherwise, especially if you simply want a check-up and preventative treatment for a generally healthy dog, the vet may provide consent without an appointment being necessary. In such cases, verbal consent from your vet may be adequate.

There are some therapists who will agree to treat an animal without the vet being consulted. This is not only against the law, it also means that any insurance will be void and you will have no legal comeback should anything go wrong. A properly qualified chiropractor will never treat an animal without veterinary consent. I am happy to liaise directly with your vet if they want to know more.