Chiropractic care optimizes overall health

Chiropractic care is all about optimizing health by harnessing the body’s natural recuperative power, which is deeply integrated with the nervous system. The foundation of chiropractic care combines philosophy, science, art, knowledge, and clinical experience. Here are the core principles that guide this practice:

1. The Nervous System Controls Everything: The nervous system is the master control system of the body, influencing every function and process.

2. The Spinal Column’s Role: The spinal column not only supports the body but also protects the spinal cord, which is crucial for transmitting nerve signals.

3. Spinal Dysfunction and Its Effects: When the spinal column can't function or move properly, it can negatively impact the spinal cord and the central nervous system.

4. Restoring Function: By restoring normal function and movement to the spinal column, we can positively influence the nervous system's overall function.

Animal chiropractors focus on treating vertebral subluxation complexes through precise adjustments. A vertebral subluxation complex occurs when two adjacent bones in a joint have an abnormal relationship, typically characterized by a reduced or absent range of motion. This abnormality can alter the biomechanical and neurophysiological functions of the affected structures, leading to inflammation and disrupted nerve signals to the brain.

An adjustment is a very specific, short-lever, high-velocity, low force, controlled thrust applied by hand to correct these subluxation complexes. This precise intervention helps restore normal joint function, alleviates inflammation, and ensures proper nerve signal transmission, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the animal.

At Oakhill Equine, we are committed to these principles, providing expert chiropractic care that supports your animal's optimal health and performance.

The goal of chiropractic care is to optimize overall health, making it beneficial for all animals, not just those with obvious back or neck issues.

While commonly associated with treating back and neck problems, chiropractic care goes beyond these areas. The nervous system controls every function of the body, and any disruption can have widespread effects. Spinal nerves exit the spinal column at each vertebral joint, innervating every structure in the body, including internal organs. When a vertebral joint has a reduced range of motion, there is often associated inflammation and muscle spasm, disrupting nerve signal transmission between the brain and body. This can lead to significant dysfunction in motor functions or internal organ systems. By adjusting these vertebral subluxation complexes, chiropractic care helps restore normal function.

Chiropractic care is also often an invaluable component in the treatment of various lameness and biomechanical abnormalities. Often, traditional lameness exams don’t fully pinpoint the source of the problem. Chiropractic evaluations can provide additional insights making it an excellent adjunct therapy. Correcting chiropractic abnormalities can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, such as intra-articular injections, providing more lasting results.

Moreover, many medical conditions that don't fully respond to traditional treatments can benefit from chiropractic care. It should be considered a treatment option in such cases, as chiropractic adjustments may address aspects of the problem that medications alone cannot. Additionally, chiropractic care can improve the body’s response to conventional medications, facilitating a more holistic approach to health care.

In summary, chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to animal health, addressing not just apparent issues but enhancing overall well-being by ensuring optimal nervous system function.

At Oakhill, Dr. Jenny Johnson employs a comprehensive approach to animal chiropractic care, ensuring your animal receives the best possible treatment. Here's how it works:

Tailored Adjustments: Dr. Johnson specializes in adjusting vertebrae, extremities, and cranial sutures. These precise adjustments help restore proper motion and alignment, promoting optimal nervous system function and overall health. She also provides personalized management advice to ensure your animal responds well to chiropractic care.

Comprehensive History: Every treatment begins with a thorough case history. Dr. Johnson gathers detailed information from you, the owner, and the trainer, about your animal's activities, exercise routine, and any past veterinary examinations, including radiographs, lab analyses, diagnoses, and therapies. This holistic view is crucial for effective treatment planning.

Detailed Examination: Following the history, Dr. Johnson conducts an in-depth examination of your animal. This includes posture and gait analysis, checking for areas of increased temperature or heat, static and motion palpation of vertebrae, extremities, and cranial sutures. Each step is designed to pinpoint specific issues and understand your animal’s unique needs.

Diagnostic Integration: Combining the information from the case history and examination, Dr. Johnson formulates a working diagnosis. She then creates a tailored therapeutic plan, which includes adjusting vertebral subluxation complexes, extremity subluxation complexes, and, if necessary, referring your animal back to their primary care veterinarian for additional care.

Collaborative Care: Dr. Johnson collaborates closely with your regular veterinarian, ensuring a seamless and integrated approach to your animal's health care. This teamwork ensures that all aspects of your animal’s well-being are addressed, providing a comprehensive and holistic care experience.

At Oakhill, we are dedicated to enhancing your animal's health through expert chiropractic care, personalized treatment plans, and a collaborative approach with your primary veterinarian. Your animal’s well-being is our top priority.

Animal chiropractic is a specialized field that focuses on optimizing nervous system function by restoring proper movement to the spine and joints. Because adjustments directly influence the nervous system, it is crucial that the practitioner has an in-depth understanding of anatomy, neurology, and biomechanics, along with hands-on training in delivering precise, effective adjustments.

A veterinarian or chiropractor providing chiropractic care for animals must undergo specialized training beyond their initial degree. This training includes a minimum of 200 hours of intensive classroom and hands-on instruction in an accredited program recognized by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA) or the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).

Not all training programs are created equal—a brief weekend seminar is not sufficient to develop the expertise required for safe and effective animal chiropractic care. When performed by a properly trained professional, chiropractic adjustments are a safe and beneficial therapy for animals, helping to enhance mobility, relieve pain, and support overall well-being.

Before choosing an animal chiropractor, always verify their credentials to ensure they have completed a rigorous, accredited training program. Your animal’s health depends on it!

In California, human chiropractors can only work on animals under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. This ensures that chiropractic care is integrated into a broader understanding of the animal’s health, with a veterinarian first assessing the condition and determining whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate.

Working with a veterinarian trained in chiropractic offers distinct advantages. Veterinarians have extensive knowledge of animal anatomy, neurology, and medical conditions, allowing them to diagnose issues, rule out underlying health concerns, and incorporate chiropractic care as part of a well-rounded treatment plan. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that chiropractic adjustments are both safe and beneficial for the animal’s overall well-being.

Working with Dr. Jenny Johnson, an experienced equine veterinarian dedicated to optimizing the performance and well-being of equine athletes, adds an extra level of expertise to your horse’s chiropractic care. Her deep understanding of equine anatomy, biomechanics, and veterinary medicine ensures that each adjustment is tailored to your horse’s specific needs, helping to enhance mobility, comfort, and overall performance.

In California, the Veterinary Practice Act (VPA) regulates who can provide medical treatment to animals, including chiropractic care. Here are the key points related to human chiropractors working on animals:

1. Veterinary Supervision Requirement – A licensed human chiropractor cannot independently perform chiropractic care on animals. They must work under the direct supervision of a California-licensed veterinarian.

2. Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) – A veterinarian must first examine the animal, establish a diagnosis, and determine that chiropractic care is appropriate before referring or allowing a chiropractor to treat the animal.

3. Chiropractor’s Role – Once under veterinary supervision, a human chiropractor who is trained in animal chiropractic may perform adjustments but cannot diagnose, prescribe, or independently recommend treatments for the animal.

4. Legal Liability – The supervising veterinarian remains legally responsible for the animal’s care, including maintaining accurate medical records of any chiropractic care provided by a human chiropractor, ensuring that the treatment provided by the chiropractor aligns with veterinary standards.

5. Scope of Practice Enforcement – Practicing animal chiropractic without veterinary supervision is considered the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine and may lead to legal consequences, including fines and disciplinary action.

This means that in California, chiropractors interested in working with animals must partner with a veterinarian to ensure compliance with the law. This ensures that chiropractic care is integrated into a broader understanding of the animal’s health, with a veterinarian first assessing the condition and determining whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate.

To learn more about the law, click here.

The key difference between animal chiropractic care provided by an equine veterinarian certified in animal chiropractic and an "equine body worker" lies in their qualifications, scope of practice, and depth of understanding of animal anatomy and physiology.

1. Qualifications and Training:

   An equine veterinarian certified in animal chiropractic has completed extensive education and training in veterinary medicine, with additional post graduate training in chiropractic care for animals. They undergo rigorous coursework, practical training, and examinations to achieve certification, ensuring they meet high standards of knowledge and proficiency in both veterinary medicine and in animal chiropractic.

   In contrast, an "equine body worker" may have training in massage therapy, soft tissue manipulation, or other bodywork techniques, but there are no standardized qualification standards or regulatory bodies for equine body workers, leading to variability in their training, expertise, and quality of care.

2. Scope of Practice:

   An equine veterinarian certified in animal chiropractic is authorized to diagnose, treat, and manage musculoskeletal conditions, spinal restrictions, and related neurological issues in animals. They integrate chiropractic principles with their veterinary expertise, considering the overall health and medical history of the animal.

   An equine body worker typically focuses on manual therapies such as massage, stretching, and relaxation techniques. While they may provide benefits in terms of muscle relaxation, tension relief, and improved circulation, their scope is often limited to soft tissue manipulation and does not encompass the comprehensive assessment and treatment of spinal and neurological issues.

3. Depth of Understanding:

   Equine veterinarians certified in animal chiropractic have a deep understanding of animal anatomy, neuroanatomy, biomechanics, and physiology. They can identify musculoskeletal imbalances, restrictions to spinal mobility, and nerve-related issues, tailoring their chiropractic adjustments to address specific problems.

   Equine body workers lack the in-depth training and diagnostic skills of a  veterinarian trained and certified in animal chiropractic. While they can provide hands-on therapy and assist in muscle relaxation, their approach is generally more focused on physical manipulation rather than addressing underlying structural or neurological concerns.

In summary, the difference lies in the:

• qualifications

• scope of practice

• depth of understanding between an equine veterinarian certified in animal chiropractic and an equine body worker.

While both may offer therapeutic benefits, the certified veterinarian brings a higher level of expertise, integrated medical knowledge, and comprehensive care for animals with musculoskeletal and neurological issues.