How do I know if my pet needs an adjustment?

This is by far the most common question I get as an animal chiropractor.  I still get the usual, “whaaaaaat?!” reaction often when I tell people I am an Animal Chiropractor.  While chiropractic treatment of large animals dates back to the early 1900s, by the late 1980s, a program was developed to certify both Veterinarians and Chiropractors in the specific training of Animal Chiropractic. As of this blog article, there are currently 620 AVCA Certified Animal Chiropractors world-wide. The primary certifier in North America is The Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).

How do I know if my pet needs an adjustment?

My typical response is, your pet can benefit from an adjustment whether they are showing symptoms or not.  Waiting until your pet is in pain or can no longer walk as a result of certain musculoskeletal conditions, is much more difficult to manage and no one wants to see their pet suffer.  Taking care of your pet’s spine for their entire life is just as important as their dental care.  Waiting until your pet’s teeth are rotting and falling out is not the best way to be proactive in your pet’s healthcare.
Your pet does not need an adjustment, just like your pet doesn’t need a healthy diet or exercise. But, if you want your pet to live a healthy, active lifestyle, a proactive approach is something I highly recommend.  More and more pet owners are seeking wellness care vs sick care.  Why? Because sick care is much more expensive than wellness care and most people don’t want to see their pet suffer.
Common conditions and symptoms I can help with are listed on my website.  Most of the time, pet owners know their pet and can tell when something is off.  This is especially true with performance dogs.  These owners are very in-tune with their canine athlete and will notice the most subtle cues that indicate it is time for an adjustment.