Chiropractic Care in Dogs

Chiropractic therapy has, over the past few decades, gained widespread acceptance within conventional medicine. Now, veterinary practitioners are exploring the possibilities that this method of manipulating and positioning the spinal column can provide in the treatment of various conditions. Generally, chiropractic care is reserved for aftercare conditions following surgery and to complement other treatment methods for various injuries and problems. 

When an owner presents their animal to the clinic, the chiropractic practitioner will usually have questions regarding the pet's condition and medical history. They will typically have an additional battery of questions regarding the dog's lifestyle and any general problems that the owner has observed. Following this, they will then apply the relevant series of chiropractic techniques to the dog. These will typically consist of applying direct pressure to the spinal vertebrae and attached muscles in order to alter their positioning. Overall, a normal session will last for between fifteen minutes and half an hour.

Whilst there is some degree of debate over the legitimacy of chiropractic care as a medical treatment, there is a large body of evidence to support its proponents' claims that it is an effective way of countering spinal problems. It is also important to bear in mind that the treatment primarily takes the form of long-term therapy spread over a series of sessions, so while many patients may feel immediate benefits, others may require more time. Alternatives to chiropractic therapy include treating the condition or injury with painkillers or conventional physiotherapy.

One of the positives of chiropractic care is that there is virtually no recovery time after each session. Whilst there may sometimes be a measure of residual soreness or stiffness, most owners should usually notice an overall improvement in their dog's posture, gait and overall body language immediately after treatment. The number and frequency of follow-up sessions will vary depending entirely on the severity of each individual case. Following treatment, chiropractors will usually give advice on additional physiotherapy that owners can do with their dog at home.

The cost of chiropractic care can vary wildly, depending on location and the age, condition, and behavioral disposition of the individual dog concerned. However, the majority of owners can expect chiropractic care to cost between $50 and $200 per session. This is roughly equivalent to conventional physiotherapy, although some forms of physiotherapy can be substantially more expensive if specialized equipment is required.

While taking your pet to see a chiropractor can do wonders for their back problem, there are some pitfalls that owners should be aware of. The first is that there is an ongoing debate in the medical community over whether or not chiropractic care is actually effective - although the practice has gained more acceptance in recent decades, some owners may wish to pursue more conventional methods. Secondly, there is a slight risk that chiropractic manipulation of the spine can exacerbate a problem instead of mitigating it. Because of this, it is vital that owners do their research prior to choosing a chiropractor, to make sure that the one they choose will deliver the best quality care.

Although some breeds are prone to spinal problems, dog owners should always make sure to maintain a good level of health and fitness in their pet. The most effective way to go about this is to make sure their pet gets plenty of exercise and properly develops its musculature and supporting tissues. This alone will ensure a healthy range of movement and resistance to injury as well as preventing many conditions that can manifest themselves in later life.