Chiropractic/Osteopathic Therapy for Animals

What is it?

Chiropractic/osteopathic therapy is manual treatment used to address areas of the body that aren't functioning normally. For example, if the vertebrae in the spine are unable to move normally through their full range of motion, the nerve supply to and from the spinal cord can also be affected. Abnormal movement can be shown by your animal in a variety of ways (see below), which are often a result of stiffness and/or pain.

This abnormal movement between joints in the spine is sometimes known as vertebral subluxation. However, this is not the same as the partial dislocation of a joint. To avoid confusion, instead of 'vertebral subluxation' the term 'restriction' is used, which is descriptive of the restricted movement that can be felt at an affected joint by trained and experienced practitioners.

Treating an animal using chiropractic or osteopathic techniques firstly involves assessing the movement of each joint in multiple directions. When restrictions are found, they can be corrected using a variety of techniques. A "spinal adjustment" is commonly used, which is a quick, controlled, and very specific method of treating a restriction. This should not be confused with "manipulation", a term used to describe long-lever movements that are non-specific and can cause injury. An adjustment is the traditional technique used by chiropractors, and can be used in conjunction with other treatment methods if necessary. Osteopathic treatment can include the use of adjustments but also incorporates a wide range of other gentle techniques.
 

What causes a restriction?

Restrictions are often caused by abnormal tensions in soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) but can also be caused by arthritis or bony changes. The ability to treat a restriction depends on the underlying cause.

Restrictions can be initiated by a variety of things. Lameness and injuries are common causes, but things like poor saddle fit (see the saddle fitting page for help with this) are also important factors in horses. Horses also like to be very active in the paddock and often injure themselves when performing silly antics, especially in the mud! Dogs that constantly pull on their leads while being walked can present with restrictions in the neck, while those that run and jump a lot, making sudden stops and twisting turns are prone to getting restrictions at other places along their spine.

Restrictions can be set up by an animal compensating for a lameness or injury, and they may not fully recover from this event without help. Sometimes restrictions are the cause of an uneven gait and this can be resolved with treatment. However, although sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between unevenness and lameness, an animal that is lame will normally require assessment by your regular veterinarian (manual therapy treatment can help treat the compensations for a lameness but will usually not address the primary cause of the problem).
 

How do I know if my animal needs it?

Manual therapy is indicated for a variety of problems. Apart from changes in gait, other signs you might see in your animals include:

Horses - biting, head tilt, head tossing, stiffness, inability to bend properly, lack of collection, refusing to jump, difficulty cantering on one rein, bunnyhopping, kicking, bucking, rearing, sensitivity to brushing, cold-backed, girthy, difficult to halter or bridle etc.

Dogs and cats - uneven gait, unwilling to jump or go up or down steps, difficulty sitting properly, skin flinching etc.

It is important to note that these signs do not guarantee that your animal’s issue is solely a chiropractic one! You will be advised if further veterinary attention is considered necessary.
 

Are there any contraindications?

Treatment is only performed in appropriate circumstances. This will depend on the animal’s behavior, presenting signs and the results of static and dynamic assessment. There are a variety of techniques that can be used to address the issues identified, and the appropriate therapy will be selected for your animal.
 

How many treatments and what happens afterwards?

The number of treatments required will vary according to how severe the problem is and how long it has been present. Generally speaking, chronic, severe conditions need more treatments than mild, acute ones. One treatment can be all that's needed for mild problems, but several might be needed for chronic issues. You will probably be given 'homework' to do - stretches or exercises that will help your animal to maintain flexibility and help to prevent the problem from recurring. It is of course important that your horse is ridden in a way that supports good movement patterns.

Restrictions, particularly acute ones, are often associated with muscle pain and this can take a few days to resolve. You will be given advice about exercising your animal at the end of the treatment session. Treatment takes 30-60 minutes each time.

Please note that chiropractic/osteopathic treatment is not a substitute for normal veterinary care, but they can be very complementary. You will be advised if a consultation with your usual vet is considered necessary.
 

What species of animals can be treated?

Horses, dogs and cats are commonly treated, although other species can also benefit.