The chiropractor's videos are getting a lot of attention on social media. Viewers love seeing these spinal adjustments and hearing their clicks, crackles, and pops. You may be surprised to learn that these services are also available for pet cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals.
The idea of a pet chiropractor may seem uncomfortable. While it may seem ineffective for a person to pull a dog's head or smack a cat with their body, it is an option available when faced with an injury or chronic illness. Addressing your pet's musculoskeletal needs can be the help they need to regain mobility after sustaining an injury or learning to live with conditions such as arthritis.
What does a pet chiropractor do?
Similar to chiropractic care for humans, it is called veterinary spinal manipulation therapy for animals and aims to improve mobility and reduce discomfort by adjusting the musculoskeletal system.
And no, cats and dogs do not make the same sounds that the human skeleton makes during manipulation. This crackling sound is caused by air escaping from the joint. “Dogs and cats naturally don't have as much air in their joints as we do,” says Molly Flaherty, a clinical instructor in rehabilitation medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. reciprocal.
That doesn't mean you should start compressing or stretching your pet's small body. “If someone sees something scary or hears the sound of a spine cracking, popping, or making a big twisting motion, we warn them that they may not actually be trained in animal chiropractic care. “I'll give you some advice,” she says. Pet owners run the risk of causing further discomfort if their pet is already in pain, or causing problems where there were none in the first place.
Is it effective?
Anecdotally, Ms. Flaherty witnessed an immediate change in her pet's posture after the session. She also hears from her clients that their pets' health has improved. “Sometimes the feedback I get is that they went to the dog park later, and people say their dog… [was] “More energy,” she says. reciprocal. Owners may say that their dog will choose a toy that he hasn't played with in a long time because he doesn't have the energy or ability to do so.
Flaherty said there aren't many clinical trials on veterinary chiropractic care because they are typically not funded. “We rely primarily on evidence from human studies,” she says. reciprocal. Evidence of the effectiveness of chiropractic care in humans is generally mixed. Although it appears to be able to relieve back pain in humans, available research does not clearly demonstrate its usefulness or effectiveness.
Still, the lack of evidence regarding animal chiropractic leaves room for further research. One paper claims that the treatment “has a lower incidence of injury and side effects than many standard treatments and medications.”
Should my pet undergo spinal manipulation therapy?
Like humans, pets don't necessarily have to have a direct underlying problem to receive a musculoskeletal adjustment, but Flaherty recommends getting permission from your veterinarian first.
If you notice a change in your pet's posture, it may also be a sign that treatment is needed. For example, “if you can't sit up with your legs tucked under your pelvis,” that's a clear signal, Flaherty says. “When an animal is recovering from a long-term injury, it's likely that their posture has changed, so we recommend treatment,” Flaherty says. This may indicate limited mobility, which may be remedied with minor spinal adjustments.
We all want what's best for our pets. Pet chiropractic care is a rapidly growing field, but if your pet seems unhappy or uncomfortable, it may be worth asking your veterinarian.
