• The use of Hammers or Mallets to treat/adjust animals.

• Using an Instrument to unscientifically click up and down the animal’s back without examining each individual joint of the animals spine and extremities for abnormal or restricted movement.

• Dragging a horse by the back of a truck to “Adjust” it. An Animal Chiropractor does not “Move” or Treat a 900 – 1200 pound horse. He or she treats individual motion units of the horse, one at a time, each weighing no more than 30 – 40 pounds.

Animal Chiropractors Treat Bones That are “Out of Place”

• Chiropractors have a unique approach - they focus on treating joints that lack proper movement, yet always ensure that the examination and treatment of these joints stay within the normal range of motion. While certain manipulative techniques are effective for misaligned or luxated bones, a skilled animal chiropractor will refer such cases to a veterinarian for appropriate care.

Animal Chiropractors “Crack Backs”

• During a chiropractic treatment, the noise often heard in humans is known as cavitation. Joints are enveloped by sturdy tissue, with the joint space containing lubricating fluid. When the joint is slightly separated, such as in a chiropractic session, some fluid can transform into gas, resulting in a characteristic "pop" sound. It's important to note that this phenomenon doesn't always occur, and it doesn't indicate the effectiveness of the treatment. Cavitation is less common when treating animals due to differences in their physiology compared to humans.

What is Animal Chiropractic?

• Animal chiropractors identify abnormal or restricted joint movement in the spine and extremities, impacting the nervous system and overall body function. Their aim is to enhance joint mobility, enabling the nervous system and body to operate at peak health.

How long does an adjustment take?

• The initial visit lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, while subsequent follow-up appointments typically range from 15 to 20 minutes.

Can an adjustment make my animal worse?

• Occasionally, the animal may feel sore after the adjustment. When done accurately and with adequate training, chiropractic care is both safe and efficient in treating your animal.

Does a chiropractic adjustment hurt?

• Occasionally, animals may experience momentary discomfort during an adjustment, which swiftly dissipates without lingering.

How long does my animal need to be off?

• Typically, the animal should be given the remainder of the day to rest and recuperate. Each animal is assessed individually, and recommendations will provided prioritizing veterinary recommendations, first.

What kind of training does a certified animal chiropractor have?

• They are required by law to possess a Doctor of Chiropractic or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine license.

• They must have successfully completed and graduated from one of the recognized animal chiropractic schools. Those schools are: Options for Animals, Healing Oasis, Animal Chiropractic Education Source, and Parker Chiropractic College.

• They are required to hold certification from either the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association) or the IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association). Notably, there is no Board certification in animal chiropractic.

How do you adjust an animal?

• Chiropractic care is a manual treatment method derived from the Greek word "Chiropractic," meaning "To perform with the hands." When an animal is adjusted, it resembles the process of a human chiropractor adjusting a person. The animal chiropractor identifies areas with limited motion and applies a precise, high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust tailored to the joint's anatomy, thus restoring normal movement.