Animal chiropractic is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that involves the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system to promote healing and improve function in animals. Animal chiropractors are trained to assess the biomechanics of an animal's spine and joints, and to use gentle adjustments to correct any misalignments or subluxations. This can help to improve mobility, relieve pain, and enhance overall health and wellness.

Animal chiropractic has a long history that dates back to ancient times. The practice of spinal manipulation was first recorded in ancient China and Greece, where it was used to treat a variety of conditions in both humans and animals. In more recent times, animal chiropractic was developed and taught in the United States in the 20th century by Dr. Sharon Willoughby. From this begining the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) was born to promote the use of chiropractic care for animals and to establish educational and certification standards for animal chiropractic providers.

In 1989, the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) was founded to promote the use of chiropractic care for animals. The AVCA established a certification program for animal chiropractors, which requires a significant amount of training and education in both veterinary medicine and chiropractic care.
Interestingly, the AVCA trains and certifies both chirpractors and veterinarians in animal chiropractic, making it one of the few certifying organizaions in the world to recognize the merrtis that both professions have to offer for this single casue-a well adjusted animal. Visit  animalchiropactic.org for more information.

Chiropractic care can be beneficial for animals in many ways. For example, it can help to relieve pain and discomfort by realigning the spine and reducing pressure on the joints. This can improve mobility and make it easier for animals to move around and perform daily activities. Additionally, chiropractic care can help to improve overall health and wellness by promoting proper nerve function and blood flow. By removing subluxations and improving alignment, chiropractic adjustments can help to improve the function of the nervous system, which can in turn support immune function and other vital bodily processes.

Animal chiropractic can be used to treat a variety of conditions in animals, including: Musculoskeletal disorders - Chiropractic care can help to relieve pain and improve mobility in animals with conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spinal misalignments, and muscle imbalances.
Neurological disorders - Chiropractic care can help to improve nerve function and blood flow in animals with conditions such as intervertebral disc disease, spinal cord injuries, and peripheral neuropathy.
Digestive disorders - Chiropractic care can help to improve digestion and promote healthy gut function in animals with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Respiratory disorders - Chiropractic care can help to improve lung function and breathing in animals with conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Behavioral problems - Chiropractic care can help to reduce stress and anxiety in animals, which can help to improve behavior and promote a sense of calm.

Animal chiropractors use a variety of techniques to manipulate the musculoskeletal system of animals. Some of the most common techniques include:
Spinal manipulation - This involves the use of quick, gentle thrusts to realign the vertebrae of the spine and improve mobility.
Soft tissue mobilization - This involves the use of massage and stretching to relieve tension and improve mobility in the muscles and other soft tissues.
Joint mobilization - This involves the use of slow, gentle movements to improve the range of motion in the joints.
Acupuncture - This involves the use of needles inserted into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and improve function. Therapeutic exercises - This involves the use of specific exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and overall mobility.

Animal chiropractic is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced animal chiropractic provider who has specialized training in animal chiropractic. However, as with any form of medical treatment, there are some risks and potential side effects associated with animal chiropractic. Again, this is why it is important to use an experienced and trained professonal to perform your animal chiorpractic services.  Your animal chiropractic provider should work in conjunction with your regular veterinarian to ensure your animal receives the best overall care possible.

If you are considering chiropractic care for your animal, it is important to choose an animal chiropractic provider who is licensed and experienced in animal chiropractic. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) maintains a directory of certified animal chiropractic providers, which can be a helpful resource in finding a qualified provider in your area. When choosing an animal chiropractor, it is important to ask about their training and experience, as well as their approach to treatment. A good animal chiropractic provider should be willing to work closely with your regular veterinarian to ensure that your animal is receiving comprehensive care that meets their individual needs. Visit animalchiropactic.org for more information.

Chiorpractic care is cost effective. While multile visits may be required to effect change in your animal, the sum cost of care will often be less than medicine or surgery, or lost performance. Think of care as an investment in your animal’s health.
The initial visit includes a history and system review and often neurologic and orthopedic checks. Acute care chiropractic is more labor intensive and time consuming and thus costs more than Wellness care. Our goal is to get your pet to wellness care as quickly as possible. A quote can be given at the time of scheduling.   

In acute care we often see pets weekly or twice weekly. As the pet improves and is more active, home care in the form of exercises or stretching will take over the majority of care and your pet’s visit frequency will decrease. Wellness care animals are typically seen monthly or bi-monthly.
Competition animals will often get treated prior to an event or training session, or after a strenuous event such as a long trailer ride.