A natural method such as chiropractic care can be applied successfully to our animal companions too. Here is some useful advice from an expert, for dogs and cats.
La chiropractic is a manual technique – from the Greek kheir (hand) and praktikos (action) – developed in the last century as a methodology for maintaining optimal health and for effectively combating neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Very recently, this methodology has also begun to be applied to the world of animals, to provide both diagnoses and treatments for a range of problems and conditions.
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"Chiropractic care can, in many cases, eliminate the source of acute or chronic pain, particularly in cases of dysfunction of biomechanical origin," explains Dr Barbara Sacchi, veterinary surgeon.
As in humans, the veterinary practitioner specialising in chiropractic care focuses their attention on the spine and its dysfunctions. "The goal of chiropractic therapy is to maximise mobility, optimising the functioning of the nervous system to allow a fluid passage of information from the brain to all the organs of the body," Sacchi continues.
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Reduced mobility between two vertebrae can, in fact, diminish the functionality of – or even irritate – the nerves exiting the spinal canal, giving rise to problems of various kinds.
"I believe it is important to stress that compression on the nerve roots caused by reduced vertebral mobility – the expert adds – results in altered nerve function. This in turn causes the organs and viscera to function poorly. Consequently, chiropractic care can also help animals with internal medicine conditions."
Disorders of this kind can create minor organic changes, and the dog – or cat – that previously played freely and moved without difficulty may become apathetic, less active and less playful. An animal with these problems will alter its posture to compensate for reduced mobility in the back, for example, and to experience less pain. All of this will lead to increased strain on other parts of the spine or the joints, causing the condition to worsen.
If a problem is identified at the level of the spine, the vet proceeds to realign the vertebrae in order to restore physiological movement to the joint.
"Realignment is achieved through the use of the hands, in a brief, rapid and very precise manner, following the direction of the articular plane," explains Dr Sacchi. The majority of animals treated show significant improvements after the first sessions (in most cases, a variable number ranging from one to four is anticipated).
To achieve resolution of chronic problems (such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, spondylitis) where restriction of movement is a direct consequence of the disease, support sessions can be carried out every two to six months depending on the severity of the case. Chiropractic care for animals also proves extremely useful for conditions that do not appear to have anything to do with the spine, such as chronic ear infections, for example, or recurring infections of the perianal glands. "It can also be an effective therapy for elderly dogs – notes Barbara Sacchi – for sporting dogs, and as a method for maintaining long-term wellbeing and joint function."
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How can we tell whether our dog or our cat at home may need a chiropractic session? Indeed, when we notice that the animal shows difficulty moving, a persistent limp, pain when picked up or touched, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, there may be a problem originating from the spine.
But also in cases of loss of urine or faeces, digestive difficulties, a lick granuloma on one of the paws, or worn claws on one or more limbs, a condition that could be susceptible to improvement through chiropractic care may be suspected. "Chiropractic care is a very delicate and specific treatment – concludes Dr Sacchi – and must absolutely be reserved for experienced and specialised practitioners."
A visit to our trusted vet, a careful case history of the little sufferer, and recourse to a specialised practitioner and appropriate therapies will be able to resolve more than one problem of this kind for our small companions.