Acupuncture / Chiropractic Services:

Many of our clients have discovered the benefits of alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic for their horses and themselves. Several of our doctors have completed training in these modalities, and provide complementary treatments in conjunction with traditional Western medicine.

In the simplest sense, acupuncture is the application of small-gauge needles to specific points on the body for the purpose of eliciting physiological responses resulting in therapeutic homeostatic effects. In a broader sense, acupuncture is an ancient procedure used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of whole-body conditions.

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in the areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A number of studies indicate that stimulation of acupoints induce release of beta-endorphin, serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Therefore, acupuncture for pain relief is well supported by these scientific studies. As more studies are conducted, the mechanism of this ancient therapy will be better understood.

The ancient Chinese discovered that the health of the body depends on the state of Qi (chee). Qi is the life force or vital energy. There are two opposite forms of Qi: Yin and Yang. The goal of TCM is to diagnose imbalances in the life force (Qi), determine their causes (etiology of the disease) and using modalities such as acupuncture to restore balance and help the body heal by re-establishing homeostasis.

Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture therapy can be effective in the following conditions:

Musculoskeletal problems:
muscle soreness, back pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, laminitis, navicular

Neurological disorders:
facial and radial nerve paralysis, laryngeal hemiplegia

Gastrointestinal disorders:
diarrhea, gastric-ulcers, colic, impaction, ileus

Other chronic conditions:
anhydrosis, heaves, uveitis, infertility

Performance enhancement and prevention of disease

The science of Animal Chiropractic is the use of spinal manipulation to restore a full and pain-free range of motion to joints. It includes all procedures where the hands are used to mobilize, adjust, stimulate or otherwise influence the spinal and paraspinal tissues with the aim of restoring or maintaining the patient’s health.

The term subluxation is used to describe an area of the spine which has slightly misaligned vertebral articulations. Misalignments will prevent the vertebrae from moving correctly. These misalignments can also impinge on nerves that exit between two vertebrae, interfering with nerve transmission to the parts of the body those particular spinal nerves innervate. There are more receptors along the spinal column than anywhere within the body’s neuro-axis. If a motion unit within the spinal column is “stuck” (determined by motion palpation), the receptors that would normally fire will not and this will cause negative affects on sensory input and motor output. Adjusting the spine increases the probability of changing the frequency of firing to central and peripheral neurons.

A subluxation is corrected with an adjustment which is a short, rapid (high velocity, low amplitude) thrust onto a vertebra following that particular vertebrae’s line of correction.

The joints of the spine (zygapophyial joints) are moveable and if the correct angle is used, the adjustment is relatively easy and low force is used. Hence, there is no need for excessive force to adjust a large animal. The adjustment is a very specific, controlled force.
Problems chiropractic can help:

Decrease in level of performance
Muscle imbalance, spasms, or atrophy
Obscure lameness, uneven gait or stiffness
Pelvic asymmetries

Acupuncture and Chiropractor treatment are two modalities that complement each other well and together with regular veterinary care will enable your horse to enjoy optimal health.