According to this system of therapy, disease is believed to be the result of a lack of normal nerve function, which can be treated by manipulating or adjusting the body. Chiropractors believe that spinal misalignments affect all other areas of the body. In other words, when the spine is healthy, so is the rest of the body, and when the spine is out of whack, the normal flow of nerve impulses to organs and other body tissues is interrupted. As with acupuncture, it's believed that certain areas of the spine correspond to other areas in the body, and the area of the spine that's misaligned determines where problems may crop up.

How Chiropractic Can Help

Conditions that are commonly treated with chiropractic include arthritis, hip dysplasia, other causes of lameness, and intervertebral disc disease. Besides improving flexibility, it can reduce the amount of pain medication needed. Any time a dog has soreness from an injury, whether it's a major one such as being hit by a car or a minor one such as slipping and falling on a slick surface, chiropractic may help restore mobility and flexibility. Chiropractic can help aging dogs whose joints are becoming stiff to stay active and comfortable. Other conditions that sometimes respond to chiropractic adjustment include chronic gastrointestinal problems and skin lesions known as lick granulomas.

Chiropractic is also used as a preventive procedure. If your dog enjoys flying disc games, agility, flyball, and obedience trials, chiropractic can help maintain his flexibility and keep him in peak condition. Consider chiropractic if your normally fearless dog begins hesitating at jumps or your normally attentive dog stops looking at you while heeling. He may have an aching back or neck. Chiropractic may also be a solution for show dogs that have gait problems or don't stand properly. Rambunctious puppies can benefit from regular chiropractic care, as can dogs with long backs, such as basset hounds, corgis, dachshunds, and Lhasa apsos. These breeds often develop musculoskeletal problems, and chiropractic may be useful in decreasing the likelihood that back problems will occur.

Chiropractic Treatment

The chiropractor who works on your dog may or may not be a veterinarian. Some veterinarians are trained in chiropractic, and some chiropractors are trained in animal anatomy. In any case, the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines on alternative therapies call for a licensed veterinarian to diagnose, prescribe, and monitor chiropractic treatment of animals.

The number of visits required will depend on the severity of the problem, as well as your dog's age and condition. Young, healthy dogs usually don't need as many adjustments as older dogs or dogs with a serious problem. Some dogs need a brief series of weekly adjustments, while others may need several visits per week.

Most dogs seem to enjoy the release provided by an adjustment and may even help by shifting their bodies as the chiropractor works on them. By the end of the session, they're often relaxed or sleepy. You will often see a distinct improvement in your dog's mobility after only one treatment.