ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE:

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy
to Improve Health and Movement of Joints

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (often described as animal chiropractic) is a holistic approach to healthcare that is based on symmetry and movement.  It does not replace traditional medicine and surgery but works in conjunction with traditional veterinary medicine to improve the health and movement of all the joints in the body, but especially the spinal column.

Spinal Column Adjustments to Improve Motion

The spinal column is made up of  bones (vertebrae), muscles, ligaments and nerves.  It functions to support the body and serves as an attachment  for muscles.  Nerves exit the spinal cord between vertebrae and communicate information to the entire body. 

When two adjacent bones (vertebra) come together they form a joint and there are over 175 joints in the spinal column.  When these joints are moving normally, the horse is flexible, happy and healthy.  When these joints are not functioning well, the animal becomes stiff and the nerves that exit the spinal column through these joints become impinged upon, creating pain and illness.  Over time this pain worsens and we start seeing other signs including muscle loss, postural changes and lameness.

VSMT  evaluates the entire spinal column looking for vertebrae that are not moving well (also described as being subluxated or "stuck").  When these areas are identified they can be adjusted with very specific rapid thrusts to improve the motion at that particular location. 

Trained Veterinarians on Staff to Perform Adjustments

Wisconsin Equine has two American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) trained veterinarians, Dr. Nadia Czjakowski or Dr. Rachel Bourne, who can evaluate and perform adjustments on your horse. 

Please call Wisconsin Equine to see if VSMT is right for your horse.