Common Questions
This page is continually being updated, so if you have any questions that you would like to have answered send them my way!
Are you a vet?
I am not a veterinarian. I am a human chiropractor certified in animal chiropractic. Therefore, I cannot prescribe medications or perform procedures other than chiropractic adjustments. I am trained in being able to identify common veterinary problems in animals, and do my best to appropriately refer out to veterinary specialists when warranted.
I am not a veterinarian. I am a human chiropractor certified in animal chiropractic. Therefore, I cannot prescribe medications or perform procedures other than chiropractic adjustments. I am trained in being able to identify common veterinary problems in animals, and do my best to appropriately refer out to veterinary specialists when warranted.
Do I need x-rays of my pet before getting adjusted?
X-rays are not necessary for most patients but are helpful when available. If there is a severe condition or injury, I will usually recommend seeing a vet and getting x-rays to rule out contra-indications such as fractures, dislocations, bone tumors, etc. If you have x-rays of your pet, please email them to [email protected] before your appointment.
X-rays are not necessary for most patients but are helpful when available. If there is a severe condition or injury, I will usually recommend seeing a vet and getting x-rays to rule out contra-indications such as fractures, dislocations, bone tumors, etc. If you have x-rays of your pet, please email them to [email protected] before your appointment.
Can you take x-rays at your office?
No, we cannot take x-rays. Although we have an x-ray machine for taking human x-rays, it is not configured for animal x-rays and I am not trained in the positioning and procedures for taking animal x-rays.
No, we cannot take x-rays. Although we have an x-ray machine for taking human x-rays, it is not configured for animal x-rays and I am not trained in the positioning and procedures for taking animal x-rays.
Should I bring my pet to you or to a vet first?
Legally, I can see your pet first if you prefer to bring them to an animal chiropractor first. I am trained in being able to identify common veterinary problems in animals, and do my best to appropriately refer out to veterinary specialists when warranted. However, it can be frustrating to waste time and money in going to the wrong type of doctor! Here are some general "rules of thumb" for when to take your pet to a vet vs. a chiropractor.
See a vet if:
Legally, I can see your pet first if you prefer to bring them to an animal chiropractor first. I am trained in being able to identify common veterinary problems in animals, and do my best to appropriately refer out to veterinary specialists when warranted. However, it can be frustrating to waste time and money in going to the wrong type of doctor! Here are some general "rules of thumb" for when to take your pet to a vet vs. a chiropractor.
See a vet if:
- Your pet is in extreme pain, to the point that it is affecting their normal daily functions such as eating, drinking, and pottying
- Your pet had a severe trauma, such as being hit by a car, falling a long distance, getting into a dog fight, or any incident that causes a significant pain response followed by limping or other signs of physical damage
- Your pet is not putting weight on one leg or is "toe-touching lame" - this usually is indicative of an orthopedic injury, such as a sprained or torn ACL ligament
- Your pet is more lame at a trot than at a walk (this is particularly true of horses - lameness at a trot is usually a vet issue, where as lameness at a walk or canter is often helped by chiropractic adjustments).
- Your pet is paralyzed, including symptoms of dragging one or more legs, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, not being able to use their tail. (Note: paralysis conditions can sometimes benefit from chiropractic treatment; however, it is important to get a thorough neurological exam by a veterinarian to determine if surgery is the best option)
- Your pet seems "off" but it is difficult to tell just what's wrong - subtle lameness, awkward gait, sitting sideways, etc.
- Your pet has generalized back pain or neck pain
- You wish to optimize your pet's health/performance
- Your pet has seen a vet but they have not been able to identify what is wrong
What can I expect during my pet's treatment?
- Most animals enjoy being adjusted!
- I use my hands to palpate, or feel, the joints and their movements.
- If a correction is needed, a gentle and specific thrust is applied.
- Sometimes a cavitation ("pop" or "crack" noise) will be heard as the joint releases, but not every time. The cavitation sound is not the goal - correcting the chiropractic subluxation is the goal.
- Licking and chewing, yawning, and shaking off after a correction is a good response.
- Areas of misalignment may be tender, but the animal will usually tolerate it—and feel much better afterwards!
What can I expect after the treatment?
- Most animals, especially dogs and cats, give a full-body shake off.
- Following the adjustment, many owners report that their pet is more tired than usual, and takes a nice long nap or sleeps the night through. This is because their body is taking time to heal.
- Your pet may be sore for 24-48 hours, similar to having a deep massage or a physical therapy session.
- Usually within a day or two you will see the effects of the adjustment and your pet may be more energetic than usual!
- Depending on the case, some animals may need follow-up adjustments.
How will I know if my pet needs an adjustment?
There are many things that could indicate your pet is out of alignment. There is a list of common health symptoms and related issues on the Home Page. Here are just a few other symptoms to look for at home:
Dogs and Cats
There are many things that could indicate your pet is out of alignment. There is a list of common health symptoms and related issues on the Home Page. Here are just a few other symptoms to look for at home:
Dogs and Cats
- Sitting consistently to one side ("puppy sitting")
- Trotting/running at an angle
- Head shaking
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Not wanting to jump, play or being overall less active
- More aggressive or less social than usual
- Uneven gait
- Not extending properly in either the front or hind end
- Not wanting to take a certain lead
- Frequent head shaking
- Resisting bridling or saddling
- Not tucking the head
- Being unable to bend their head around to their flank on one side
- Crow-hopping or bucking the rider
How often will my animal need to be adjusted?
This depends on the situation. Some animals are significantly better after even one adjustment. Other animals may need a series of adjustments to achieve the maximum benefit. Some of my clients find that their animals feel so much better when they are adjusted regularly that they have it done on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule. After the first adjustment I always recommend a follow-up visit, usually within the next couple of weeks for a small animal or within the next couple of months for a horse. At the follow-up visit I will have a better idea of how well your animal holds their adjustments, how effective the treatment was for them, and the best recommendation for care. Most care plans start with more frequent visits and move towards less frequent visits as the animal is able to hold its alignment better.
This depends on the situation. Some animals are significantly better after even one adjustment. Other animals may need a series of adjustments to achieve the maximum benefit. Some of my clients find that their animals feel so much better when they are adjusted regularly that they have it done on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule. After the first adjustment I always recommend a follow-up visit, usually within the next couple of weeks for a small animal or within the next couple of months for a horse. At the follow-up visit I will have a better idea of how well your animal holds their adjustments, how effective the treatment was for them, and the best recommendation for care. Most care plans start with more frequent visits and move towards less frequent visits as the animal is able to hold its alignment better.
Will I need to have my animal adjusted for the rest of its life if I start care?
This is a very common question I get, because there is a misconception with chiropractic that "once you start, you have to keep going back." My response is always that I hope you will WANT to come back! It is never my intent to pressure anyone into having treatments for themselves or their pets that they do not want to have. However, I will be honest with what I feel is an appropriate care plan for the individual's health situation. To help explain this, I would like to present an analogy. Correcting the alignment of the spine is not unlike correcting the alignment of teeth. Imagine spending several thousand dollars to have braces put on, go in for one tightening, and then saying "Alright I had enough of that, let's take them off!" Straightening teeth takes a series of numerous adjustments to the braces over a course of several years to achieve the desired alignment. Just like with your teeth, your spine also usually requires numerous adjustments over a course of time. The longer your spine has been out of alignment, the longer it will take for it to "hold" its proper alignment. After your teeth are straightened, your orthodontist will recommend wearing a retainer each night so the teeth do not begin to drift back out of alignment. In the same way, chiropractors will recommend a maintenance plan of periodic adjustments (sometimes as infrequently as twice a year) to maintain your good spinal alignment. Do you have to follow the recommendations? Of course not, but it is our hope that you will develop an appreciation for how chiropractic improves your health so that you want to make it part of your lifestyle.
This is a very common question I get, because there is a misconception with chiropractic that "once you start, you have to keep going back." My response is always that I hope you will WANT to come back! It is never my intent to pressure anyone into having treatments for themselves or their pets that they do not want to have. However, I will be honest with what I feel is an appropriate care plan for the individual's health situation. To help explain this, I would like to present an analogy. Correcting the alignment of the spine is not unlike correcting the alignment of teeth. Imagine spending several thousand dollars to have braces put on, go in for one tightening, and then saying "Alright I had enough of that, let's take them off!" Straightening teeth takes a series of numerous adjustments to the braces over a course of several years to achieve the desired alignment. Just like with your teeth, your spine also usually requires numerous adjustments over a course of time. The longer your spine has been out of alignment, the longer it will take for it to "hold" its proper alignment. After your teeth are straightened, your orthodontist will recommend wearing a retainer each night so the teeth do not begin to drift back out of alignment. In the same way, chiropractors will recommend a maintenance plan of periodic adjustments (sometimes as infrequently as twice a year) to maintain your good spinal alignment. Do you have to follow the recommendations? Of course not, but it is our hope that you will develop an appreciation for how chiropractic improves your health so that you want to make it part of your lifestyle.
Will my animal need to be sedated?
No, I prefer to not adjust animals under sedation. It affects their mental state and the natural response of their body to the adjustment. Only rarely do I have an animal that is either too painful or aggressive to work on safely. Often that can be an indication that there is something more serious going on that goes beyond chiropractic needs. If chiropractic still seems like the best treatment option, I can usually get the job done with the help of trained handlers or I will work in conjunction with a veterinarian if sedation is the only safe option.
No, I prefer to not adjust animals under sedation. It affects their mental state and the natural response of their body to the adjustment. Only rarely do I have an animal that is either too painful or aggressive to work on safely. Often that can be an indication that there is something more serious going on that goes beyond chiropractic needs. If chiropractic still seems like the best treatment option, I can usually get the job done with the help of trained handlers or I will work in conjunction with a veterinarian if sedation is the only safe option.
Why does my pet lick its lips after each correction?
At any given time, our nervous system is either dominated by sympathetic or parasympathetic impulses. The sympathetic nervous system is often called the "fight or flight" response and deals with stressful situations. The parasympathetic nervous system is often called the "feed, read, and breed" nervous system because it is in charge of activities we only do when we are relaxed. As a result of the high-stress world we live in, many humans and animals mostly live in a state of sympathetic dominance, referred to as "sympatheticotonia." This can lead to a plethora of health issues.
During the adjustment, there is a shift in balance from sympathetic dominance to parasympathetic dominance. This causes the animal to perform various types of stress releases. Licking and/or chewing is a parasympathetic response that simulates eating, which an animal will only do if it is relaxed. Yawning, passing gas, becoming sleepy, and stretching are also signs of relaxation. After the adjustment the animal will usually shake itself off, which is an animals way of doing a "neurological reset" and to get a feel for its new alignment.
Some people have heard that animals lick their lips when they are nervous. This is also true, and represents their body's attempt to calm itself down by shifting to a more parasympathetic state. There is a difference between nervous licking and the kind of licking that occurs following an adjustment. With nervous licking, the animal will be on high alert, and the licking will be frequent. With the licking or chewing I see following an adjustment, it is an isolated action that the animal does immediately following a positive change in the body (from an adjustment, a muscle release, an energy shift, etc) - they will lick or chew briefly and then stop while the treatment continues.
At any given time, our nervous system is either dominated by sympathetic or parasympathetic impulses. The sympathetic nervous system is often called the "fight or flight" response and deals with stressful situations. The parasympathetic nervous system is often called the "feed, read, and breed" nervous system because it is in charge of activities we only do when we are relaxed. As a result of the high-stress world we live in, many humans and animals mostly live in a state of sympathetic dominance, referred to as "sympatheticotonia." This can lead to a plethora of health issues.
During the adjustment, there is a shift in balance from sympathetic dominance to parasympathetic dominance. This causes the animal to perform various types of stress releases. Licking and/or chewing is a parasympathetic response that simulates eating, which an animal will only do if it is relaxed. Yawning, passing gas, becoming sleepy, and stretching are also signs of relaxation. After the adjustment the animal will usually shake itself off, which is an animals way of doing a "neurological reset" and to get a feel for its new alignment.
Some people have heard that animals lick their lips when they are nervous. This is also true, and represents their body's attempt to calm itself down by shifting to a more parasympathetic state. There is a difference between nervous licking and the kind of licking that occurs following an adjustment. With nervous licking, the animal will be on high alert, and the licking will be frequent. With the licking or chewing I see following an adjustment, it is an isolated action that the animal does immediately following a positive change in the body (from an adjustment, a muscle release, an energy shift, etc) - they will lick or chew briefly and then stop while the treatment continues.
What can I do to help my pet hold its adjustment longer?
There are three main things that cause chiropractic misalignments, called the "Three T's":
In animal athletes (both dogs and horses) it is important to do a good warm-up and cool-down before and after an event. Stretching the muscles (always when they are warmed up) can help prevent injuries. Keep your animal conditioned and in shape. For dogs, keep toe nails trimmed short, and in horses, keep feet trimmed properly so the animal has a good foundation for their balance. Animals that are overweight are more prone to orthopedic and back injuries, so keeping your companion at an ideal weight will also help them hold their alignment longer. For older animals, I recommend talking to your veterinarian about adding a supplement or starting a feed that helps support the joints.
There are three main things that cause chiropractic misalignments, called the "Three T's":
- Thoughts
- Traumas
- Toxins
In animal athletes (both dogs and horses) it is important to do a good warm-up and cool-down before and after an event. Stretching the muscles (always when they are warmed up) can help prevent injuries. Keep your animal conditioned and in shape. For dogs, keep toe nails trimmed short, and in horses, keep feet trimmed properly so the animal has a good foundation for their balance. Animals that are overweight are more prone to orthopedic and back injuries, so keeping your companion at an ideal weight will also help them hold their alignment longer. For older animals, I recommend talking to your veterinarian about adding a supplement or starting a feed that helps support the joints.
How do you adjust a horse?
One bone at a time! This is a question I receive often from people who have never seen a horse adjusted before. Hopefully the pictures throughout my website help to illustrate. Depending on the joint that I am evaluating and adjusting, I will either be standing on the ground or on a step ladder. The horse remains in a standing position throughout the adjustment. And yes, even a "small woman" like me can get the job done!
The anatomy of horses is designed so that they can be in a completely relaxed state when they are standing up. This is what makes it possible for them to graze, rest, and even sleep standing up! There is a strong network of ligaments that stretches from the back of the horse's head and upper neck ("poll") down to the withers, and then along the top of the back to the pelvis. These ligaments, along with the strong foundation of four legs, support the spine in much the same way as a suspension bridge. When a horse is in a relaxed stance, they have virtually no tension in their muscles, and the spine is very easy to adjust. When a horse is painful or tense because they have a physical problem, I sometimes have to do some relaxation techniques to make the adjustment easier for them and me. But for the most part, it's not any more difficult to adjust a horse than it is to adjust a person!
One bone at a time! This is a question I receive often from people who have never seen a horse adjusted before. Hopefully the pictures throughout my website help to illustrate. Depending on the joint that I am evaluating and adjusting, I will either be standing on the ground or on a step ladder. The horse remains in a standing position throughout the adjustment. And yes, even a "small woman" like me can get the job done!
The anatomy of horses is designed so that they can be in a completely relaxed state when they are standing up. This is what makes it possible for them to graze, rest, and even sleep standing up! There is a strong network of ligaments that stretches from the back of the horse's head and upper neck ("poll") down to the withers, and then along the top of the back to the pelvis. These ligaments, along with the strong foundation of four legs, support the spine in much the same way as a suspension bridge. When a horse is in a relaxed stance, they have virtually no tension in their muscles, and the spine is very easy to adjust. When a horse is painful or tense because they have a physical problem, I sometimes have to do some relaxation techniques to make the adjustment easier for them and me. But for the most part, it's not any more difficult to adjust a horse than it is to adjust a person!
What makes the "popping" or "cracking" noise during some adjustments?
The medical term for that phenomenon is a joint cavitation. According to current understanding, within most joints is a pocket of nitrogen gas that builds up with normal use. When the joint is adjusted, the movement sometimes causes the release of that pressurized gas. The resulting sound is what we hear (and feel). Research has not been able to find any cause or correlation between repetitive joint cavitation and conditions such as osteoarthritis. However, they have found that the action releases endorphins into the system which is why some people become "addicted" to the habit of popping their own joints. Note: popping one's own joints is NOT a specific adjustment and is not condoned by chiropractors as an effective way of correcting misalignments or improving one's health.
I think it is also important to point out that a joint cavitation is not synonymous with a successful adjustment. When performing an adjustment, there are times when the joint may cavitate but the segment has not been corrected in its entirety and will require additional adjustments, and vice versa, there are times when a joint will achieve proper correction without a cavitation. In animals, the anatomy and mobility of their joints are slightly different from ours and as a result they do not audibly cavitate as often with adjustments.
The medical term for that phenomenon is a joint cavitation. According to current understanding, within most joints is a pocket of nitrogen gas that builds up with normal use. When the joint is adjusted, the movement sometimes causes the release of that pressurized gas. The resulting sound is what we hear (and feel). Research has not been able to find any cause or correlation between repetitive joint cavitation and conditions such as osteoarthritis. However, they have found that the action releases endorphins into the system which is why some people become "addicted" to the habit of popping their own joints. Note: popping one's own joints is NOT a specific adjustment and is not condoned by chiropractors as an effective way of correcting misalignments or improving one's health.
I think it is also important to point out that a joint cavitation is not synonymous with a successful adjustment. When performing an adjustment, there are times when the joint may cavitate but the segment has not been corrected in its entirety and will require additional adjustments, and vice versa, there are times when a joint will achieve proper correction without a cavitation. In animals, the anatomy and mobility of their joints are slightly different from ours and as a result they do not audibly cavitate as often with adjustments.
Is my large breed dog considered a large animal/is my mini horse considered a small animal? What is the distinction?
All dogs, cats, goats, rodents, birds, and other small animals approximately 200 lbs or less are classified as "small animals". All equine, bovine, or other large animals approximately 200 lbs or more are classified as "large animals". A large breed dog is still a small animal, and a mini breed horse is still considered a large animal.
All dogs, cats, goats, rodents, birds, and other small animals approximately 200 lbs or less are classified as "small animals". All equine, bovine, or other large animals approximately 200 lbs or more are classified as "large animals". A large breed dog is still a small animal, and a mini breed horse is still considered a large animal.