Understanding Animal Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is a manual method of treatment that helps maintain health, and treat neurological and musculoskeletal dysfunction and other subsequent effects on an animals body.
Chiropractic care focuses on abnormal movements of the spine, and the effects these restrictions have on the nervous system. The goal of Chiropractic treatment is to maximize mobility and optimize nervous system function to allow unrestricted exchange of information between the brain and the rest of the body.
The Spine
An animal’s spine is a very complex structure consisting of bones, ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It fulfills various functions in the body providing:
A framework of support
Attachment for many muscles
Protection of the spinal cord
Protection of internal organs
The spine consists of bones called vertebrae. Numerous muscles are attached to the vertebrae enabling the spine to move. Even though individual vertebral joints have little mobility, the back and neck as a whole is very flexible. Without this flexibility a dog cannot move fluently, jump obstacles or perform properly.
The spinal cord runs through the vertebral canal in the center of the vertebrae. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord and take with them information from the brain to organs, muscles, and other parts of the body. As the central nervous system monitors and controls all organ and tissue function, the transmission of information to and from it must flow freely to allow proper function.
Learn More
Chiropractic care can benefit any and all animals - large or small.
Learn more about how to help support the health and well being of your pets.
Are you curious to know more about animal chiropractic? Call Dr. Hermes and he would be happy to answer any of your questions.