Canine arthritis is a common condition that affects dogs as they age. This comes with joint pain, inflammation and reduced mobility. Osteoarthritis can have a big impact on their quality of life. However, there are many treatment options available for this and in this article, we are focusing on how chiropractic care benefits them.
The primary benefit of taking your pet to a dog chiropractor is that it can improve their joint alignment and function.. Arthritis can cause joint misalignment which can exacerbate their pain and limit mobility. By realigning the spine and affected joints, pressure on nerves will be reduced which will go towards improving the range of movement. This will alleviate discomfort and the ability of the dog to move freely. In arthritic dogs, Inflammation in the joints can lead to pain and stiffness. When joint alignment and function are improved, the stress on the joints affected is reduced. This will help reduce inflammation and encourage healing. You can reduce their pain with chiropractic adjustments and make them more comfortable. The overall musculoskeletal health of dogs that suffer from arthritis can be supported with chiropractic care. Arthritis can cause changes in their posture and gait. These compensatory patterns will put additional strain on other parts of their body. When this happens, there will be secondary issues arising such as misalignment in other joints or muscle soreness. These compensatory patterns can be addressed with chiropractic adjustments.
The chiropractic care can be tailored to the needs and anatomy of the dog.
While there areforceful techniques in human chiropractic adjustments, the adjustments for dogs tend to be gentle and precise. These adjustments are done with hands or using special tools. The chiropractor will apply gentle controlled pressure to certain areas in the joints or spine depending on the issue. You can integrate chiropractic care with other treatments so that you can better manage canine arthritis. Chiropractic adjustments can complement physical therapy. There are certain stretches and exercises that are done to improve mobility of joints. Muscle tension can be alleviated with massage therapy so that the overall effectiveness of chiropractic care can be improved. Make sure to combine these therapies with proper weight management, balanced diet and exercise. You need to have a comprehensive approach to manage canine arthritis.
You can have regular chiropractic care
As part of the long-term management plan for your dog in dealing with arthritis. Immediate relief can be provided with one-time adjustments but with ongoing care, optimal joint function can be maintained so that the pain doesn’t come back. The chiropractor will determine the duration of the chiropractic treatments and their frequency. This will be decided on the severity of the arthritis and the needs of the dog. You have to consult with your dog’s veterinarian before taking your dog to a certified animal chiropractor. A comprehensive veterinary examination will identify the presence of arthritis and its severity. This will rule out any underlying medical conditions as well.
