Leanr More About Chiropractic Care & Animals
An unfortunate aspect of owning an animal is that if your animal is hurting, they cannot tell you what hurts, where it hurts, or how it hurts. Whether it is the house cat who might be dealing with some hip problems, one of the ranch’s most athletic horses, or one of the farmer’s most prized dairy cows, there are multiple scenarios in which our animals can be in pain, because their musculoskeletal health can be compromised just like us.
There are various types of chiropractic care that can be applied to different problems within the musculoskeletal system, and when applying chiropractic care to animals, it is especially important to acknowledge which type of care works best. The main types of chiropractic care are tonal, segmental, and postural. Those chiropractors who are certified to practice on animals, usually focus on the segmental discipline of chiropractic care as there is an emphasis placed on the biomechanics of the body.
Segmental chiropractic care focuses on the range of motion and proper body movements in the patient being treated. In humans this usually means making sure the spine is in the correct place, and that the hips are well-aligned so that the process of locomotion is well-executed. In animals, it is the same idea. While animals do not move upright, the spinal structure is relatively similar to that of humans and chiropractors who are certified to practice on animals are understanding of how the hips and legs are in tune with the overall system. Especially in animals that exert a lot of force, like horses, understanding of the locations within the system where the most stress is placed is necessary and chiropractors with animal certification have this understanding.
Results of chiropractic care in animals vary, but we are often able to see whether or not there are benefits rather quickly. Animals display their discomfort and are able to communicate well via their actions so in acknowledging the physiological cues, we can really tell where the animal stands in terms of their musculoskeletal health.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Tambako The Jaguar
