Chiropractic Treatment

What is Chiropractic?

Veterinary Chiropractic is a manual therapy, which restores function of muscles and joints to maintain optimum movement and soundness. It focuses on the biomechanical dysfunction of the spine and its effects on the entire nervous system throughout the body. Veterinary Chiropractic treatment does not replace traditional veterinary medicine; however, it can provide additional means for diagnosis and treatment of spinal problems and musculoskeletal disorders.


What does a chiropractor feel for when assessing your horse?

During a chiropractic consultation the posture and gait of your animal is assessed, followed by a thorough palpation of the horse’s spine and body. A healthy animal should move symmetrically and bend in all directions without tension. Even though horses have a very large, thick muscle mass over the spine, the vertebral joints are flexible and relatively easy to manipulate with minimal force. An animal showing tension, pain, muscle imbalance or asymmetry, will likely have restricted vertebral joints as an underlying problem. A restricted joint is called a subluxation. Diagnosing and treating subluxations along the spine and body is the essence of veterinary chiropractic.


How does a chiropractic adjustment work?

When a chiropractor identifies a subluxation, he or she aims to correct the restriction and to restore normal mobility to the joint. Realignment is made via a quick, short thrust along the plane of the joint. This is called an adjustment. The adjustment is done by placing the hands directly on the affected vertebra. Chiropractic manipulation is not painful and no sedation is required.


When is Chiropractic useful?

Chiropractic helps any horse to move more freely and symmetrically. It prevents wear and tear and will promote long-term health. Hence treatment is suitable for horses of all breeds and ages. Performance horses will need the most frequent treatments due to the regular stress on their body. Your veteran and leisure horse may be fine with just yearly routine check-ups.

Olga and Simon are both certified by the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic (IAVC) and are members of the British Veterinary Chiropractic Association (BVCA).


To book an appointment or find out more about veterinary chiropractic, please ring the office on 01903 883050.