Veterinary chiropractic care, also known as animal chiropractic, offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to treating animals, particularly for musculoskeletal issues. It involves manual manipulation of the spine and joints to relieve pain, improve mobility, and enhance the body's natural healing processes.

Who can benefit:

Animals with:

• Neck, back, leg, or tail pain

• Muscle spasms and nerve problems

• Injuries from falls or accidents

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Performance issues in athletic animals

• Post-surgical care

• Geriatric animals needing support

By restoring proper joint movement, chiropractic care can help animals move more comfortably and easily. Adjustments can reduce inflammation, release nerve pressure, and alleviate pain. Proper spinal alignment is crucial for optimal nervous system function, which can improve overall health and well-being. It can be used alongside traditional veterinary treatments to provide a more comprehensive approach to healing.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Animals 

Chiropractic care (also known as Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy or VSMT) can alleviate many conditions in pets, including chronic muscle pain, joint disorders, spinal misalignment, or even behavioral changes due to discomfort. Adjustments facilitate normal movement in the spinal column, limbs and pelvis. 

When animals receive chiropractic treatment from professional practitioners like those on our team at Pawsitive Strides Veterinary Rehabilitation and Therapy, they may move more comfortably around their environment and have greater overall quality of life. 

When Should I Bring My Pet for Chiropractic Care? 

The good news is that pets at many ages can benefit from chiropractic care. One such instance is for older pets experiencing joint stiffness or mobility issues as part of aging. By gently manipulating and realigning their skeletal structure, we can help alleviate pain and improve agility in your senior pet. Similarly, if your four-legged companion shows signs of discomfort when moving—or even reluctance to move a tailored set of adjustments could potentially get him the relief he may need to start moving freely again  Routine chiropractic care is an important part of a program to help minimize injuries in athletic dogs.  

Applied Kinesiology (AK), otherwise known as muscle testing

Applied Kinesiology is a complementary and alternative medicine practice that uses manual muscle testing to assess and diagnose health conditions. AK practitioners use muscle testing to identify imbalances and determine appropriate treatments by enhancing the standard diagnosis. It does not replace other methods of diagnosis and should not be used alone. With the muscle testing method, it is a look into the function of the nervous system.

These treatments are crucial to preventing injuries in athletic dogs 

Don’t let the health of your pet suffer. If you are looking for rehabilitation for your pets, our veterinarians can help.

Important Considerations

It's crucial to seek care from a certified veterinary chiropractor, as improper adjustments can cause injury. While chiropractic is a complementary therapy, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian to ensure it's appropriate for the animal's specific condition.

Orthotics

Orthoses, sometimes called braces or splints, are devices that support or correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities of the body.

Animals that might benefit from the use of an orthosis commonly have an injury to a lower limb or paw, such as a fracture, torn meniscus, ruptured Achilles tendon, or injured cruciate ligament (ACL or CCL). Each animal's situation is unique and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Orthoses can decrease pain and increase stability in an unstable joint, as well as prevent potential progression or development of a deformity or contracture. An orthosis will prevent, control or even assist the motion of a joint, depending upon how it is made. An orthosis can be made for short-term use during a post-operative healing period, for example, or for long-term chronic use.

• Orthopets

• Therapaw

• DogLeggs

Applied Kinesiology (AK) muscle testing

Is a complementary and alternative medicine practice that uses manual muscle testing to assess and diagnose health conditions. AK practitioners use muscle testing to identify imbalances and determine appropriate treatments by enhancing the standard diagnosis. It does not replace other methods of diagnosis and should not be used alone. With the muscle testing method, it is a look into the function of the nervous system.

Get Pet Care and Veterinary Rehabilitation from Our Veterinarians for Your Pets 

Chiropractic care for pets is an integrative approach that might be just what your pet needs. If you are looking for a natural treatment method to help your pet, consider chiropractic care. Our team is dedicated to providing rehabilitation care for animals with various ailments. Contact our team at Pawsitive Strides Veterinary Rehabilitation and Therapy in Des Moines, IA,  today to learn more about all of the various benefits of chiropractic care for your pet. Call us at (515) 575-9655 for veterinary care from a veterinarian near you.