People often think of a chiropractor as a doctor who takes care of back pain or headaches.  They might be shocked to learn that chiropractors care for people of all ages, with and without all sorts of health problems; and they might be shocked to learn that a few chiropractors are licensed to care for animals.

I am one of those.  

Not only do I provide gentle, specific, chiropractic care to people of all ages, but also animals of several species, especially dogs and horses.

Why would a dog benefit from chiropractic, and how would you even know what to look for? Let me give you a list (certainly not comprehensive) of things to look for in your dog, and then I’ll explain why and how chiropractic works in dogs and other animals.

Here are some signs and symptoms of chiropractic problems in the head, spine, or pelvis:

Is the dog in pain or discomfort?
Have they lost range of motion or the ability to run and play?
Does their head tilt or is one ear higher than the other?
Is there a change in their mental status or demeanor?
Do they not want to chew hard food or toys?
Are they incontinent?
Do they sit funny? Is their tail tucked?

This is merely a small sampling of things an owner might notice, but these are all clues to the notion that the dog may have a subluxation in the spine.  You might ask, “What the heck is that?”

The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment is to correct something in the spine, pelvis, or extremities, called subluxation.  Simply, a subluxation is an interference to the brain and nervous system, caused by a stuck, dysfunctional, area of the spine.  Chiropractors correct subluxations so that the brain and nervous system may function better, so that we can heal, adapt, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Chiropractic is based on the fact that living organisms, you, me, our dogs, etc, are self-healing and self-regulating.  Scientists call that homeostasis.  It’s the innate ability of living organisms to maintain balance, coordination, harmony, and health.  You know that if you cut your finger, it heals without you having to read a book or watch a YouTube video.  We call the wisdom of life in each of us that strives to keep us in homeostasis, innate intelligence.

Chiropractic is also based on the fact that the brain and nervous system is the master system which controls all health and healing.  If we think of the brain as a super computer, the innate intelligence is like the operating system, or the sum total of all software that the brain uses to exist – to maintain homeostasis.

Chiropractic is also based on the intimate relationship between the spine and central nervous system.  In order for the brain and nervous system to work optimally, the bones of the spine must be unstuck and moving freely.  Unfortunately, due to overwhelming stress, the bones of the spine can get stuck and not move properly and that creates tremendous tension and interference to the brain and nervous system.  That’s not good.

As a chiropractor, my specialty, whether my patient is an infant child, an adult, a Golden Lab, or  Dachshund, my job is to analyze the spine for misaligned, stuck, non-functioning areas of the spine, called subluxations.

When I adjust, or correct, subluxations in the spine, the brain and nervous system functions better due to less interference.  This allows the brain to restore the person or animal to homeostasis, resulting in better health and quality of life!

Wow!  As a chiropractor I don’t “treat” medical (human or veterinary) conditions, rather, I correct subluxations to allow the innate wisdom of the body to express at a higher level, and often times the patient heals or gets much better.

So, that’s a little insight into why chiropractic care is potentially beneficial to people of all ages, and animals of several species.  Chiropractors correct subluxations and allow the brain to function better.

Better Brain = Better Life.  It’s as simple as that. Chiropractic allows the brain to function better.

So, do you know of a dog (0r person) who might benefit from a chiropractic evaluation?  Do you know a dog who is stiff, sore, or just not 100%?  We should talk.

Give me a call at (719) 330-2501 and I will share more about the amazing potential benefits of chiropractic care for you or your best friend.