Did You Know That Animals Can Benefit From Chiropractic Too?!

Please enjoy this week’s guest blog from Emma Hustler, a local animal chiropractor who works wonders keeping our springer spaniel Zorro fit and mobile with chiropractic care. I hope you enjoy! 🧡 Sarah

Did You Know That Animals Can Benefit From Chiropractic Too?!

Have you ever wondered if your dog or cat feels the same symptoms from a joint misalignment in the neck, back or pelvis that we do?

Well the answer is…a resounding yes!

Animals, just like us, can find themselves with a misalignment that may affect their well being.

Think of a dog, fit and healthy, who goes out for a lovely fun walk with his human parents, only to jump a ditch or puddle and land awkwardly..it hurts briefly at the time, but he shakes it off cos he’s having fun. However, a few days he finds sitting down feels a bit awkward, or jumping in and out of the car is’nt as easy as it was, or even worse…getting on the sofa is painful!

This is an example of a dog who is not strictly injured….ie a vet visit wouldn’t be appropriate, but has life altering musculoskeletal pain non the less.

This is where animal chiropractic comes in.

Animals can be adjusted, and receive remedial body work just like people. And usually really enjoy it…

I have been treating animals with McTimoney Chiropractic techniques for over 13 years now…my patients are mainly dogs and horses, sometimes cats, the odd ferret, fox and a for a few years: a giraffe.

If the animal has a vertebrae then there is potential for misalignment, and also a life improving adjustment.

And it’s not just unfortunate slips or falls from weekend warriors that cause problems, animals that have less than perfect confirmation will have extra strain on their bodies in all sorts of different areas.

Dogs who pull on leads frequently cause misalignments in their own necks, and pets that carry extra weight can have sore backs, the list goes on.

Our pet dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the lives they lead being our companions can cause them challenges.

Athletic dogs and horses need regular adjustment, to allow them to perform at their best, much like a human athlete.

But pet dogs can benefit as well, for instance arthritis is common in ageing joints and older dogs….these patients can be very rewarding to work on because we sometimes wrongly assume that arthritis is the main problem, when in actual fact pain related to the arthritis can be greatly relieved using body work techniques

Animals are clever…they will often have a good go at relieving stiffness themselves, by stretching, think downward facing dog.

They will roll about, stretch and contort themselves into interesting shapes.

This can be done for play purposes, but also can be relieving stiffness and acting to loosen fascia, muscles and joints.

So how can we tell if our animals would benefit from chiropractic?

Do they have a spine and are they still breathing? Then yes!, but joking aside…

Most really can benefit, and it is often not until owners get them treated, that they realise how much they needed adjustment.

Their pet was possibly slower on walks, playing less, less agile, and avoiding certain behaviours that they once enjoyed.

Other common signs that indicate a problem are changes in behaviour, not sitting square, nagging at toes or licking legs, breaking sit/stays, uneven claw wear, walking with a “crabbing” action, general changes in movement, reluctance to jump when there’s normally ease, the list is endless…

I would highly recommend getting your dog checked out by a qualified animal chiropractor who can assess your pet, talk through anything that is found and work out a suitable treatment plan.

Often chiropractic adjustment, alongside a few simple lifestyle changes, can restore wellness, bring back the wag in the tail and the spring in your best friends step.

Please feel free to contact me for any info required.

Emma Hustler

McTimoney Animal Chiropractor

07876161004