"Chiropractic refers to the practice of manipulating the spine to treat disease."
The term chiropractic comes from the Greek words "cheir" which means 'hand' and "praxis" which means 'practice' or 'done by', and refers to the practice of manipulating the spine to treat disease. Chiropractors base their theories of disease on the connections between various body structures and the nervous system via the spinal column, and on the role of the spine in biomechanics and movement. Therapy is directed at the spine in order to modify the progression of disease.
What is the history of chiropractic in veterinary medicine?
Spinal manipulation has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, including the early Chinese and Greeks. However, there is a distinct lack of historical documentation of its early use in animal species. In its modern form, chiropractic theory and practice have developed within the last century. Early practitioners of modern chiropractic investigated its use in various animal species. As a distinct practice specialty, veterinary chiropractic is a young profession that is undergoing rapid growth and evolution.
On which species of animals is chiropractic practiced regularly?
Chiropractic manipulation is frequently performed on horses, dogs, and cats, but can theoretically be performed on any vertebrate species.
Who practices veterinary chiropractic and do I need a referral?
"Chiropractors who work on animals must have specific training in both chiropractic theories and animal anatomy..."
Chiropractors who work on animals must have specific training in both chiropractic theories and animal anatomy so that they are knowledgeable about the differences in biomechanics and neuromusculoskeletal function between humans and animals. In North America, a certification process is in place to ensure that practitioners possess the appropriate knowledge and skill to treat animals. The organization responsible for this certification is the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, with specific designation of its members depending on their level of training, as follows: "Animal Chiropractor" is a Doctor of Chiropractic with AVCA certification; "Veterinarian Certified in Animal Chiropractic" is a DVM / VMD certified by AVCA; and "Veterinary Chiropractor" is both a Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In some North American jurisdictions, certified Animal Chiropractors may be permitted to perform treatments without supervision; in other jurisdictions, chiropractors must be supervised by licensed veterinarians. The need for a referral varies by jurisdiction.
What conditions are most often treated with chiropractic?
Conditions with a neurologic or biomechanical origin are amenable to chiropractic manipulation. These conditions include degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia and spondylosis; cervical instability; acute neck pain; intervertebral disk disease; autonomic nervous system problems such as urinary and fecal incontinence; musculoskeletal weakness or pain that resists conventional diagnosis and treatment; and chronic back and neck pain.
"Chiropractic refers to the practice of manipulating the spine to treat disease."
The term chiropractic comes from the Greek words "cheir" which means 'hand' and "praxis" which means 'practice' or 'done by', and refers to the practice of manipulating the spine to treat disease. Chiropractors base their theories of disease on the connections between various body structures and the nervous system via the spinal column, and on the role of the spine in biomechanics and movement. Therapy is directed at the spine in order to modify the progression of disease.
What is the history of chiropractic in veterinary medicine?
Spinal manipulation has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, including the early Chinese and Greeks. However, there is a distinct lack of historical documentation of its early use in animal species. In its modern form, chiropractic theory and practice have developed within the last century. Early practitioners of modern chiropractic investigated its use in various animal species. As a distinct practice specialty, veterinary chiropractic is a young profession that is undergoing rapid growth and evolution.
On which species of animals is chiropractic practiced regularly?
Chiropractic manipulation is frequently performed on horses, dogs, and cats, but can theoretically be performed on any vertebrate species.
Who practices veterinary chiropractic and do I need a referral?
"Chiropractors who work on animals must have specific training in both chiropractic theories and animal anatomy..."
Chiropractors who work on animals must have specific training in both chiropractic theories and animal anatomy so that they are knowledgeable about the differences in biomechanics and neuromusculoskeletal function between humans and animals. In North America, a certification process is in place to ensure that practitioners possess the appropriate knowledge and skill to treat animals. The organization responsible for this certification is the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, with specific designation of its members depending on their level of training, as follows: "Animal Chiropractor" is a Doctor of Chiropractic with AVCA certification; "Veterinarian Certified in Animal Chiropractic" is a DVM / VMD certified by AVCA; and "Veterinary Chiropractor" is both a Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In some North American jurisdictions, certified Animal Chiropractors may be permitted to perform treatments without supervision; in other jurisdictions, chiropractors must be supervised by licensed veterinarians. The need for a referral varies by jurisdiction.
What conditions are most often treated with chiropractic?
Conditions with a neurologic or biomechanical origin are amenable to chiropractic manipulation. These conditions include degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia and spondylosis; cervical instability; acute neck pain; intervertebral disk disease; autonomic nervous system problems such as urinary and fecal incontinence; musculoskeletal weakness or pain that resists conventional diagnosis and treatment; and chronic back and neck pain.
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