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• Acupuncture
• Physical Therapy Exercises

The bones of the spinal column (backbone) are known as vertebra. The vertebral column houses the part of the nervous system called the spinal cord. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit between two vertebra to travel to every muscle, organ and gland in the body. In other words, the entire body communicates with the brain through this important structure, the spinal column. Ligaments connect the vertebra together into a jointed column.

Animals have a spinal column just as humans do. There are some major anatomical differences, though. Dogs have 13 thoracic vertebrae (rib pairs) while humans have 12. And of course, dogs and cats are quadrapeds (walk on four legs) while humans walk on only two legs.

There are approximately 200 joints in the spinal column of the dog or cat. Muscles are attached to the vertebra enabling the spinal column to flex and bend. With all of these joints, the possibility of specific problems or disease of the spinal column exists.

 

What is a Vertebral “Fixation”?

You may have heard the term subluxation used in the past by a human chiropractor. Subluxations are now commonly described as fixations. These fixations can be palpated as lack of motion of a joint, resulting in potential impingement on every structure in the vicinity of that joint including nerves, lumphatics, vessels, and joint capsules.

Nerves communicate messages from cell to cell. For example, a cell in the foot can talk to the brain and to the entire body through nerves. Fixations may be pictured as pinching off or changing the flow of information through nerves. Fro instance, think of the nerves as our telephone connections. If you are talking on the phone to New York, and a fixation occurs, you may end up talking to Florida. Or you may experience extreme pain from strange sounds coming from the telephone receiver. Or communication may totally cease.

Fixation and Excess Motion

Every movement of the body requires a constant synchronization of muscles in contraction and relaxation. If proper nerve messages to muscles are obstructed, this coordination will falter. Ner ve obstruction can occur from either fixations or excess motion of the vertebral segment. Minor interferences may only result in slight changes. Excess nerve pressure can also produce pain – acute or chronic.

Fixations and excess motion in the spine may cause compensations in movement or posture. When your back hurts does your gait change? Weight may be slightly shifted to one leg or certain activities may be avoided. When the spine is not functioning correctly in one area, stress is placed on other vertebral joints. Secondary fixations or excessive motion can then occur in other areas of the column and/or extremities further complicating the problems. These are described as compensations.

 

Symptoms of Fixations & Excess Motion

PAIN: THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM

CHANGES IN MUSCLE COORDINATION

CHANGES IN FLEXIBILITY

With even slight compression of nerves, many other problems can occur due to influences on the glands, the skin, the blood vessels and lymphatics.

UNUSUAL BODY OR TAIL RUBBING

INCREASED SENSITIVITY TO HEAT OR COLD

CHANGES IN INTERNAL ORGAN FUNCTIONS

CHANGES IN SIGHT OR HEARING

ABDOMINAL PAIN

CHANGES IN COMPETITION ABILITY

 

Causes of Fixations & Excess Motion

TRAUMA

STRESS

CONFORMATION/GENETICS

BIRTH

CONFINEMENT

PERFORMANCE

CHOKE COLLARS/ LEASHES

AGE

OTHER MEDICAL OR SURGICAL CONDITIONS

 

Animal Spinal Healthcare

*** A Healthy Spine will influence the functioning of the entire body***

Observe for changes in gait or performance

Observe range of motion of head, legs, back

Examine the muscles for pain, tone, symmetry

Observe for bowel and bladder function changes

Massage daily to increase blood supply

Remember to condition your animal prior to starting strenuous training

Remember to warm up and cool down your animal

Routine exercise (DAILY WALKING) is just as important for your animal as it is for you!

 

When to examine the spine?

Before purchasing an animal

Prior to strenuous work out

After a challenging event

After surgery and/or anesthesia

Consider including routine spinal care as a part of optimum health for your pet