Animal Chiropractic

What is animal chiropractic?

A man in a pink shirt standing on a treadmill with a black dog, possibly a pit bull mix, in front of him. The dog is looking directly at the camera, and the man is looking down at the dog. There is a map or poster on the wall in the background, and a blue cart with some items on it is visible to the right.

Animal Chiropractic is a safe, holistic approach to healthcare. It focuses on restoring and preserving spinal alignment and mobility to ensure proper communication between the brain and body. Correction of structural shifts in the spine has been found to reduce pain and inflammation, improve flexibility, restore normal function, and increase overall quality of life. 

A person in a brown vest and jeans standing in front of a large brown horse inside a stable.
A yellow Labrador retriever puppy sitting on a gray mat indoors with another dog lying behind it and people nearby.

What animals Does Dr. Byron see?

Dr. Byron sees canines and equines! Yes, horses and dogs. All canines are seen in the office and horses are seen at their barn.

Two black dogs with collars and leashes sitting on a gray floor, looking up at the camera. A person's legs and feet wearing sneakers are visible in the background.

Does my animal need chiropractic?

Animal chiropractic can be beneficial for anything from prevention and general wellness to athletic performance.

Signs your animal may need to be adjusted:

  • Reduced performance or work

  • Shortened stride length

  • Intestinal dysfunction

  • Limping

  • Lameness

  • Difficulty standing

  • Decrease desire to play

  • Reduced appetite

  • Difficulty jumping 

  • Muscle spasms

  • Bulging discs

  • Many more!!

What happens after an adjustment?

When treated by an experienced, trained professional, adjustments are considered to be safe and effective. Most animals receive both the exam and treatment on the first visit. In cases of acute or extreme pain, Dr. Byron will often delay the first adjustment to ensure your animal can tolerate the visit and be as comfortable as possible.

After an adjustment, many animals show immediate improvement. In some cases, there is a 24-48 hour period of tiredness and soreness. In older dogs. you may see a puppy-like burst of energy in the 24-48 hour period after an adjustment. These behaviors are all normal!

Some animals require a few sessions to resolve acute pain. Chronic health problems may require more frequent visits to re-establish optimal function of the spinal health and nervous system. 

Man in orange shirt and blue cap smiling as he walks a large white dog with blue eyes indoors, art paintings on the wall, brown chair in the background.
A small dog, possibly a Chihuahua, sitting on a blue examination table in a medical or chiropractic office. Behind the dog is a wall with framed informational posters. To the right of the dog, a partial human skeletal model is visible. The office has a beige carpet and a window with blinds on the left side.
  • Prevention! Many people choose to get their puppy checked because the preservation of health is easier than the cure of disease. By getting adjusted while puppies are growing, we may be able to prevent pain and degeneration throughout the aging process.

  • While this answer depends on the reason for the initial visit, usually dogs and horses are seen less frequently than humans. In an acute care, where your animal is in pain, we may see your dog once a week for 1-3 weeks then quickly decrease the number of visits to every other week and then monthly. Our goal is to decrease visits as fast as possible to ensure your animal is living to its peak potential.

  • Not at all. When performed by a trained and experienced professional, the adjustment will be gentle and quick. Depending on how acute the complaint is, there may be signs of tenderness that will reduce with time and treatment.