Chiropractic and Acupuncture can be used not only to treat injuries but to help preventing them.

By improving the state of your horse’s health, regular treatment also enhances athletic ability.

What is Veterinary Chiropractic?

Chiropractors diagnose and treat loss of normal range of motion in joints, particularly in the spine. These lesions are known as ‘Vertebral Subluxation Complexes’ or ‘fixations’. We do not treat ‘bones out of place’- all the joints are exactly in their normal physical location. When a fixation occurs in the spinal column this not only affects the motion of the affected joint, it also affects all the muscles and tissues around it resulting in pain, muscle spasms and stiffness.

Veterinary chiropractic treatment can be used for:

1. Chronic musculoskeletal problems
2. Acute problems such as tension or stiffness
3. Prophylactic treatment to maintain fitness
4. Maintain soundness in older animals
5. Enhance performance ability of sport animals
6. As a complementary treatment for chronic lameness such as bone spavin, navicular syndrome or tendon problems in the horse.

What is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Acupuncture may be defined as the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for thousands of years to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as preventative medicine.

For Which Conditions is Acupuncture Indicated?

1. Musculoskeletal problems such as sore backs
2. Neurological problems such as facial paralysis and Head-Shaking
3. Skin problems such as allergic dermatitis
4. Respiratory problems such as heaves and “bleeders”
5. Gastrointestinal problems

Prevention is better than cure….

Treatment

The examination will involve:

– Taking a full history

– Examination and palpation of the horse at rest.

– Observation of the horse in walk and trot in a straight line.

– Checking the range of motion of the joints of the spine and limbs.

Following the examination, chiropractic or a combination treatment with acupuncture may be carried out.

Follow up treatment

A second chiropractic treatment is advisable for chronic conditions 3-4 weeks after the first one. Also 3 acupuncture treatments one week apart may be necessary if the condition is not acute.

Fran will be pleased to give you a call if you request further information before booking an appointment.

Francisco ‘Fran’ Tirado BVSc MRCVS CertVetACU (IVAS), CertVetCHIRO (IVCA)