Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Chiropractic

​

1. What is Animal Chiropractic care?

Animal Chiropractic care is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the

system and the effects of these disorders on general health. There is an emphasis on manual techniques to address abnormal or restricted joint motion in the spine and extremities. This restriction in motion is referred to as a subluxation and can affect the nervous system and entire body. The goal of Animal Chiropractic care is to restore proper joint motion and to enable the nervous system and the body to function at its optimum potential.

​

2. How are animals adjusted?

The word “chiropractic” is derived from the Greek words “cheir” meaning hand and “praxis” meaning action, which translates to “done by hand.” Chiropractic care for animals is similar to chiropractic adjustments for humans. When an area of restricted or reduced motion is identified (a subluxation), a specific, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust is applied thereby restoring normal joint movement.

​

3. How long does an adjustment take?

The initial visit typically lasts 20-30 minutes. Follow-up visits generally take 15-20 minutes.

​

4. Could an adjustment worsen my animal’s condition?

After an adjustment, your animal may experience a mild, transient soreness, but not a worsening of the condition. When administered by a trained, AVCA certified professional, animal chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for animals.

​

5. Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?

During an adjustment, your animal may briefly experience a mild discomfort. However, this should be short-lived, and with regular adjustments, your animal may begin to associate feeling better with a visit to get adjusted.

​

6. What kind of training is required to perform Animal Chiropractic care?

Veterinarians or Doctors of Chiropractic take a significant amount of coursework (over 240 hours) and pass certification exams from either the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) or the IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association). There is currently no board certification in Animal Chiropractic, but stay tuned!

​

7. Is Animal Chiropractic care safe?

Chiropractic care, including Animal Chiropractic care, has an outstanding safety record. It follows a natural and conservative approach to health, avoiding invasive procedures and the use of medications, instead emphasizing the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself.

​

8. What causes the sound during an adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment may produce a “popping” sound, although not always. This sound occurs during the release of the restricted joint as gas rushes in to fill the partial vacuum created as the joints are slightly separated.

​

9. What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the identification of subluxations—abnormal or restricted joint movement in the spine or extremities which can negatively affect the nervous system and thus the entire body. The adjustment is done with the practitioner’s hands and uses a very specific, high-velocity controlled thrust, directly on the joint that is restricted in order to restore movement and thus function.

​

10. What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of medications or surgeries. This practice focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.