As “alternative” medicines become more and more popular in the pet space, you may wonder about all these treatments and if they are right for your dog. Chiropractic treatments have been around of a long time, but it’s often overlooked by dog owners when it comes to treatment options.
Dr. Shana Buchanan, DVM, MBA, is not only a veterinarian, but is also certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Veterinary Chiropractic, and Veterinary Chinese Herbal medication. She is a firm believer in alternative medicine and was inspired to learn acupuncture after seeing a Cocker Spaniel regain complete range of motion in her neck after only a few treatments. Dr. Buchanan in now a provider for AskNow where you can get answers from caring veterinarians for free by texting 858-877-9797.
We interviewed her about the basics of canine chiropractic care for dogs.
Why is the spine so important to a body’s health?
Dr. Buchanan: Chiropractors view the spine as the fundamental aspect of overall health. Since the spine houses the nervous system, any abnormality of the spine affects the entire body. Therefore, the nervous system is the governor of the body, and a chiropractor’s goal is to maintain proper spinal alignment.
What is Chiropractic care? What terms should pet owners be familiar with?
Dr. Buchanan: In general, chiropractic is a drug-free approach to pet health care. A few terms associated with chiropractic are vertebral subluxation, homeostasis, adjustment, and innate intelligence.
A subluxation is defined as a joint that does not properly move compared to other adjacent joints. Therefore, a subluxation is a misalignment or joint dysfunction. This is not only confined to the spine, but the majority of the subluxations are vertebral subluxations.
Homeostasis is defined as an internal stability and equilibrium of an organism. This is achieved by adapting or eliminating an environmental stimulus. Chiropractic helps the body’s internal balance or homeostatic state since adjustments eliminate any hindrance on nerve function.
An adjustment is a short lever, high velocity controlled thrust by the hand that is directed at specific articulations to correct subluxations. The purpose of an adjustment is to realign the joints so that normal movement can occur and eliminate nerve interference. This eliminates any pain or discomfort and allows for proper neurologic function to ensue.
Innate intelligence is the body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic care removes any hindrance to this natural process and allows the body’s healing process to occur. Additionally, innate intelligence of the body encompasses the body’s natural ability to adapt to changes in its internal and external environments in order to maintain a state of health.
What does chiropractic medicine help with?
Dr. Buchanan: There are several diseases that chiropractic care can help alleviate. The most common presentation is for pain. Since every nerve that innervates your organs and limbs originate from the spine, nerve interference in the vertebral column can cause pain elsewhere in the body. Additionally, if your pet is limping on a hurt limb, the rest of the body has to compensate for the abnormal gait, thus causing pain in other places. Other diseases that chiropractic care can help with are osteoarthritis, urinary incontinence, behavior, gastroenteritis, skin diseases, and intervertebral disk disease.
What happens at the first visit?
Dr. Buchanan: In order for proper chiropractic care of your pet, a history and examination are required. The examination includes posture analysis, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static palpation, vertebral and extremity motion palpation, orthopedic evaluation and neurological evaluation. The examination takes place upon your pet’s entrance into the clinic. Observing the animal’s demeanor and ambulation into and out of the office is vital in the examination. Even though you might only see the motion and static palpation, the examination starts as soon as you walk through the door!
How does a dog owner find a canine chiropractic practitioner?
Dr. Buchanan: The individuals who are allowed to adjust animals are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) and Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) who have gone through a certification process. The certification consists attending an Animal Chiropractic Accreditation Commission (ACAC) of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) accredited animal chiropractic program which includes 280 plus classroom and laboratory instruction hours. After successfully passing the ACAC exit exam, the DVM or DC will sit for the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) written and practical examinations. After passing these three tests, the certified doctor must obtain 30 hours of approved Continual Education (CE) every 3 years.
Want to find an accredited chiropractor near you? Go to the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association’s (AVCA) website for more information including a doctor search.
