Chiropractic Care
How Does Chiropractic Care for Animals Work?
Chiropractic care for animals focuses on the relationship between the spine, joints, and nervous system, and how restrictions in movement can affect overall function. Gentle, targeted adjustments are used to address areas of reduced joint mobility that may contribute to discomfort, altered movement patterns, or compensation elsewhere in the body.
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By restoring normal joint motion and supporting proper communication within the neuromusculoskeletal system, chiropractic care can help improve coordination, mobility, and overall comfort as part of a comprehensive, integrative care plan.
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When Is Chiropractic Care Helpful for Pets?
Chiropractic care may be recommended for pets experiencing changes in mobility, stiffness, or altered movement patterns. It is commonly used for active and athletic animals, senior pets with age-related changes, and patients recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions that affect movement and comfort.
At Red Sage, chiropractic care is most often used as part of a broader, integrative treatment plan. It may complement rehabilitation therapy, pain management, therapeutic exercise, or other modalities, with recommendations based on a full veterinary assessment to ensure it is appropriate for your pet’s specific needs.
What Is a Treatment Like? Does It Hurt?
Chiropractic treatments for animals are typically brief and gentle. Adjustments are performed using precise, controlled movements designed to address specific areas of restricted joint motion. Most pets remain comfortable and relaxed during treatment, and many tolerate the adjustments well.
Chiropractic care should not be painful. While some pets may be sensitive in certain areas due to underlying discomfort or inflammation, treatments are always tailored to the individual patient and performed with close attention to their comfort and response. Our team works carefully to ensure each session is appropriate, safe, and supportive of your pet’s overall care plan.
Recent Research and Studies
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Manual Therapy in Veterinary Patients (2021): A Systematic Review of Mobilization and Manipulation Across Species
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This systematic review found limited but generally positive evidence that manual therapy techniques, including mobilization and manipulation, may reduce pain and stiffness and improve mobility in animals, particularly horses, while emphasizing the need for further high-quality studies.
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Effects of Chiropractic Treatment on Spinal Pain and Stiffness in Horses (2022): A Controlled Clinical Study
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This controlled study demonstrated improvements in spinal pain and stiffness in horses following chiropractic treatment, supporting its role in addressing neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction in veterinary patients.
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Veterinary Chiropractic Treatment and Prevention of Spondylosis in Boxer Dogs (2021): A Prospective Cohort Study
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This prospective study suggested that Boxers receiving regular chiropractic care from a young age developed fewer and less severe spondylotic changes compared with untreated controls, indicating potential benefits for spinal health in dogs.
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