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History
What is Chiropractic?
Importance
Scheduling and Aftercare
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Fun Fact!
The term "chiropractic" was coined in the late 1800's by Rev. Samuel Weed - it means "done by hand".

 

 
October Newsletter
Equine Chiropractic Care 
Greetings!
  
By now, you've probably heard our exciting news.  This past summer, Dr. Leighton went to Kansas for 5 weeks to be trained in animal chiropractic care at Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic.  She learned a TON, and is really excited to be implementing this technique.  Since her head is practically bursting with all this new knowledge, we figured it was a great topic for the fall newsletter! 

Please read below for information about what animal chiropractic care is (and what it ISN'T), how it works, and how it may benefit the equines in your life. 

Wishing you a safe and happy fall riding season.  Enjoy those beautiful trails, but remember to wear your orange!

Sincerely,
Drs. Matt Kornatowski and Ashley Leighton
Twin Pines Equine Veterinary Services, LLP
  
(Have an idea for a newsletter topic or an event?  We'd love to hear from you!  Just send us an email at [email protected])

History of Animal Chiropractic Care 

 

For nearly as long as chiropractic techniques have been in existence as we know them today, animals have received chiropractic care.  Initially, the founders of chiropractic adjusted animals to help confirm that these techniques were causing real benefits to the patient, and not just a placebo effect.  Obviously, animals can't understand that pushing on their backs is supposed to make them feel better, so if they show us that they feel more comfortable, we know it was from the chiropractic care.   

 

In the 1980's, Dr. Sharon Willoughby, a veterinarian, became very interested in animal chiropractic care.  At the time, no colleges were offering adequate instruction in this therapy, so she enrolled at the Palmer College of Chiropractic, and ended up as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), in addition to being a DVM.  (For those keeping track, that's 12 years of post-high school education.  Whew!)  When she got out of school, she decided to make animal chiropractic care her full-time career.  Thankfully, for the rest of us, she also began teaching - because not every veterinarian or chiropractor has the time and resources to get TWO doctorate degrees! 

 
In 1989, the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association was founded, with Dr. Willoughby as president.  In conjunction with the AVCA, Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic was founded, and courses were offered to licensed veterinarians AND chiropractors (DC's), to certify them in this technique.  Initially, the course was a total of 100 hours, spaced over a 2 year period.  It has evolved over the years to become a 210 hour program, in 5 modules, including at least 75 hours of hands-on laboratories. 

In the past two decades, several other approved animal chiropractic colleges have opened in the US and Europe, and the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association was founded.  The IVCA and the AVCA are the two approved regulatory organizations for animal chiropractic, and offer independent testing of graduates.  Regulations for animal chiropractic varies from state to state, but most states are moving towards requiring that practitioners are either veterinarians or DC's, and that they are certified by either the IVCA or the AVCA. 

What IS Animal Chiropractic?

 

Regardless of the species, chiropractic care is a manual therapy aimed at diagnosing and treating joints which are not moving optimally.  While human chiropractic care can include the use of different devices to help diagnose and treat these joints, animal chiropractic care uses ONLY the practitioner's hands.  This is because the devices which have been developed for humans are either not strong enough (in the case of horses) or too powerful (in the case of dogs/cats).   

 

A chiropractic examination begins with a thorough history (not unlike our regular lameness evaluations).  The horse is then palpated to assess muscle tightness or any sensitivity.  A brief movement evaluation is then performed, usually at the walk - but the trot may be requested, especially if there may be concurrent lameness issues going on.  Finally, "motion palpation" is performed - this is the process of putting each individual joint through a normal range of motion, to assess for correct movement.  The back, pelvis and neck are focused on, but the extremities are also examined, at least on the first visit. 

 

When a joint is found to not be moving properly, it can be called a "fixation", or a "vertebral subluxation complex" (VSC).  When it is documented in the medical record, we use a term called "listing", which is just a way to record the way in which the joint was not moving properly.  Sometimes the words "out of place" or just "out" get used a lot in chiropractic, but these terms are kind of misleading - the bone isn't in the wrong place (that would require some sort of surgery or other invasive care!), it's just not moving correctly in one direction or another. 

 

The correction for a VSC is called an adjustment.  An adjustment is a quick (high velocity), short (low amplitude) thrust which is applied by the practitioner's hands (usually), in the exact plane of motion that is deficient.  This adjustment can help to restore normal movement to this joint.   Occasionally, a full adjustment (thrust) does not have to be performed, and simply motioning the joint or maintaining tension on the joint can release the fixation. 

 

It's important to recognize that while chiropractic adjustments may be mildly uncomfortable for a very brief moment, most animals tolerate this entire procedure very well.  Sedatives and tranquilizers are very rarely necessary - in fact, since these drugs can change the resistance in the joints, they should only be used when absolutely necessary, and then with caution.  There are some reports of "chiropractic" adjustments being performed on anesthetized horses - this is NOT chiropractic, and is quite dangerous for the horse.  

Why is Chiropractic Care Important?

   

Consider the spine - a complex, bony column which has many important jobs.  The spine contains and protects the spinal cord, which is how the brain communicates with the rest of the body, and also how the rest of the body communicates with the brain.  The spine is also essential for movement; it provides a framework for the muscles which propel the entire body.  Add to that, for our equine athletes, the spine is expected to carry a rider!  That's a tall order for a system of bones. 

 

If the bones of the spine are not moving equally in all directions, as they were designed to move, several problems can occur.  Since the nerves which leave the spinal cord exit between the bones, right next to these spinal joints, any abnormality in movement has a possibility to reduce the space available for these nerves.  Spinal nerves are extremely sensitive to pressure, since they do not have all of the protective measures of peripheral nerves.  A small pressure may cause the nerve to become more reactive, or diminish the signal it is able to put out.  This change may be extremely subtle, but over time it can lead to measurable changes in the way the animal moves or the way the system reacts. 

 

Another issue that can arise from decreased movement in one area of the spine (or the rest of the body) is compensation in another part of the body.  Compensations can be areas of decreased movement, or even increased movement, outside of the normal range.  This can cause additional strain, as well as decreased efficiency of movement, both of which can lead to injury. 

 

These problems are not unique to athletic horses, and they do not have to manifest as a decrease in performance or a painful lameness.  Since chiropractic care acts to naturally restore the balance and proper function of the body, it can have great benefits for horses of all ages and careers. 

Scheduling and Aftercare

    

So, you've decided to give this whole chiropractic thing a shot - now what?  While it'd be nice to save a call fee and get your horse evaluated and adjusted at the same time as spring shots, dentals, etc - there are actually a few good reasons to schedule chiropractic visits separately from other veterinary work. 

 

Since chiropractic adjustments have been shown to increase immune system activity, it's not ideal to have chiropractic scheduled immediately before or after vaccinations are given - we'd like to allow the body to process the vaccine without having to also process the adjustment.  This is the same reason we don't vaccinate at the same time we are treating active infections, or when we are injecting joints with a steroid.  We'd like the vaccine to have as much opportunity to affect the immune system as possible, without the immune system having to "think" about anything else.

 

We'd also not prefer to schedule a chiropractic adjustment on the same day as dentistry, for a slightly different reason.  Whenever we perform dentistry, we place a full mouth speculum, which opens the mouth so that we can examine the teeth and use our equipment.  We also usually sedate the horse, and raise the head on a headstand (or the shoulder of an assistant).  All of these things can affect the movement of the TMJ (jaw joint), and the cervical spine.  So, if chiropractic is desired near the time of routine dentistry, we recommend it be done at least a few days after the dental is complete. 

 

Once a horse has been adjusted, some basic aftercare instructions are generally given.  It is recommended that the horse be turned out afterwards to move freely.  If this is not possible, a 20 minute handwalk is advised.  Depending on the horse and what kind of chiropractic issues are going on, a few days of rest are usually recommended.  Turnout is fine during this time, but it's helpful not to ride for about 2-3 days after an adjustment. 

 

The frequency that chiropractic is recommended varies greatly from case to case.  Some horses with acute issues (or during the beginning of treatment) benefit from a recheck 2 weeks after the initial visit.  The next recheck may be recommended 1 month after that, and then perhaps a few months after that.  Other horses may benefit from rechecks every 4-6 months.  Unlike humans, animals do not often benefit from being evaluated and adjusted more than every 10 days - that's good news to anyone who's seen a chiropractor themselves, and remembers how often they were seen during the beginning of treatment! 

For additional information...
 
The field of animal chiropractic is expanding, and more information is being put out regularly on the subject.  If you'd like to read or see more about this therapy, please head to:
 

Options for Animals - Owner Information

 

FAQ's

 

Video - Dr. Heidi Bockhold adjusts a horse

 

And as always, feel free to call our office at 860-376-4373 to speak directly with Dr. Leighton about how chiropractic may help your horse.  You can also email her at [email protected].