Chiropractic Care

The traditional application of veterinary chiropractic care is for back pain and other orthopedic disease, but routine visits can improve many aspects of a pet's life! Owners often report that with routine chiropractic treatments, their dog or cat has more energy and stays healthier, longer!

Chiropractic care is centered around the nervous system and joints. A joint is defined as any place where two bones meet, so there are joints throughout your pet's entire body!

A misalignment of these joints (called a chiropractic subluxation) can negatively affect nerve function, especially if it is in the spine. Altered nerve function can lead to a number of problems, including pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, poor balance and immune system suppression.

An adjustment is designed to restore proper alignment to joints and return natural function to the nervous system. Through this, chiropractic care works to eliminate the cause of problems instead of simply treating the symptoms!

But what causes our pets to develop chiropractic subluxations? A simple car ride with unexpected starts and stops, landing a little off balance or pulling on a leash can all affect your dog or cat's spine. Long toenails can lead to changes in gait. Lameness or pain in one part of the body can cause a shift in posture. These simple things can lead to chiropractic subluxations anywhere in the body. Age can also lead to problems in the spine and joints as cartilage breaks down. Obesity is also a common factor contributing to chiropractic problems.

It is important to mention that Dr. Sivula is a certified member of the AVCA - the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. AVCA doctors have undergone intensive post-graduate courses that require a minimum of 200 hours of study, and have passed a certification exam similar to the one administered for a state license to practice medicine.

It is also mandatory that AVCA doctors attend continuing education classes on a yearly basis to keep currently on new and advanced techniques.

Most pets find a chiropractic adjustment very relaxing! It is highly unusual for a pet to experience any pain or soreness associated with this therapy. The frequency of recheck visits depends on each individual patients needs and conditions.