The basic idea behind chiropractic treatment is that if your spine is out of alignment, it can’t work correctly. This can cause irritation of the nerves, or spinal cord and consequently can irritate the brain stem. Therefore, any animal with a nervous system be it dogs, cats, rabbits or humans, will benefit from treatment by someone who knows how.
The nervous system is the main system that allows every muscle and organ in the body to function properly. Realignment of the skeletal structure allows the nervous system to function naturally. In doing this, Chiropractors offer an additional way to support the healing process of almost any disease.
A Growing Concept
Veterinary Chiropractic Centers are becoming more and more common and many Veterinary Clinics are beginning to add Chiropractic care to their menu of services. With the development of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) as a certifying body, the industry itself has also become more regulated.
What To Look for in Your Pet
There are symptoms that may suggest your pet could benefit from specialized care.
The most common warning signs tend toward the physical symptoms such as limping, refusal to climb stairs or into furniture, or in more extreme cases, the development of seizures.
There also can be indications based on a change of behavior. For example, if a dog is usually happy, full of energy or very well-behaved and overnight becomes shy, or begins to misbehave, this may be a sign of an illness or a reaction to a change in the perceived family structure. However, if nothing has changed within the household, like the introduction of a new pet, person or baby and any screening for illnesses come back negative, there may be a reason to consider a Chiropractic evaluation.
Cases Where Therapy Worked to Avoid Severe Conditions
Individual cases where Chiropractic treatment was used showed outstanding results.
These include one patient who was able to avoid additional surgery for herniated disc repair and regained the ability to walk by undergoing 6 Chiropractic treatments instead. Another pet was able to skip any surgeries at all and reverse the paralysis that had taken hold in the rear legs.
Now, before you start scouring Google or Yelp for your nearest Pet Chiropractic Clinic, keep in mind that a chiropractor is not a substitute for your pet’s regular veterinarian. Always consult your pet’s Doctor first before pursuing Pet Chiropractic services.
