McTimoney Chiropractic for Animals
- Home
- McTimoney Chiropractic for Animals
McTimoney Chiropractic for Animals – Animals, just like humans, can suffer from back pain. The McTimoney Chiropractic Technique is a gentle and non-invasive, holistic technique which most animals readily accept and actually enjoy.
The spine is a complex structure formed by a chain of individual vertebrae and supported by a series of muscles and ligaments. The major functions of the spine are to provide structure and form, and to protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord, along with the brain, form the Central Nervous System which can be thought of as the control centre of the body. The spinal cord runs through a central canal within the spine, in between each of the individual vertebrae a pair of spinal nerves exit through narrow spaces. These peripheral nerves then branch off to innervate every tissue and organ within the body. As such, the Peripheral Nervous System can be thought of as an information network sharing information between the body and the Central Nervous System.
If the joints of the spine become restricted it can cause an interruption in the way nerve impulses are transmitted. This can cause discomfort or pain and result in the animal displaying changes in behaviour or performance. Symptoms can range from subtle to more obvious changes, some common symptoms include;
There are multiple ways in which the joints of the spine can become restricted, leading to spinal dysfunction. Acute causes such as falls, slips, an awkward jump or landing should always be considered worthy of getting your animal checked over. More chronic causes would be things that negatively impact your animals posture or movement over a period of time. Factors such as conformation, exercise regime, tack, nutrition, dental health and any other health issues will be considered in context by your practitioner.
The McTimoney treatment involves the practitioner using just their hands to deliver rapid, precise adjustments. These specific adjustments trigger a reflex response from the animals nervous and muscular systems and allow the muscles surrounding a restricted joint to relax. This in turn allows the joint to return to its neutral position and restores normal range of movement. A correctly aligned spinal joint will permit optimal nerve function and thus the body will be better able to regulate itself. Most animals visibly relax during the course of a treatment and offer signs of release such as yawning, licking and chewing. Other physiological changes such as reduced heart rate and respiratory rate have also been documented.
McTimoney Chiropractic treatment is very much a process rather than an event. Changes which are initiated during a treatment session will continue to be processed for up to 72 hours so it is important that your animal is allowed to rest immediately after treatment. Your practitioner will give more specific tailored advice to ensure your animal gets the most from the treatment.
