Chiropractic for dogs, Why do stuck joints matter?
Similar to humans, animal spines are made up of multiple bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are categorized by sections, the first section starts at the base of the skull and runs the length of the neck, and is called the cervical region. The second section is called the thoracic, the third is the lumbar region, and the fourth is the caudal region which leads into the tail. As with humans, the vertebrae house the spinal cord, which passes from the brain, and through the vertebrae. The brain and spinal cord are part of the central nervous system, which is responsible for sending messages from the brain to other parts of the body. This makes the vertebrae's job very important, and they have help! In between the vertebrae are discs. The discs cushion the bones of the spine and prevent them from rubbing on each other. The discs in the spine only get nourished by movement, this is a process called imbibition. When a spinal joint gets stuck and doesn't move through its proper range of motion, the disc becomes dry, brittle, and prone to little tears that can cause swelling. The swollen discs can then cause pressure on the spinal nerves which may cause pain, weakness, falling, dizziness, and clumsiness. Since the spinal cord is the superhighway for information connecting the brain and body, all systems of the body are affected by pressure on nerves.
Linda Blake is our clinic animal chiropractor. You will often see her in reception when she is not doing adjustments. Linda says, "I have been a human chiropractor for 20 years. I have worked in family practice in several clinics in the Rochester Hills area and in the thumb. Three years ago, I went to Options for Animals in Kansas where I became board-certified as an animal chiropractor and afterward started seeing animal patients at LVS. Today, I work at LVS as well as a human chiropractic clinic in Lapeer. You must be a veterinarian or a human chiropractor in order to be certified in animal chiropractic. I am fascinated by the nervous system and enjoy seeing pets get better. It never gets old. I also enjoy teaching others about how chiropractic care works, so if you have any questions, you can send them to the office via text or Facebook, and I will be happy to answer them for you!"
Additional resources include:
https://www.animalchiropractic.org/find-a-doctor
https://vcahospitals.com/kno.../veterinary-chiropractic-care
https://optionsforanimals.com/.../what-is-animal.../