Chiropractic is an integral part of holistic veterinary medicine and offers tremendous potential in veterinary health care. As a part of integrative medicine, it plays an important role alongside traditional veterinary medicine, surgery, as well as acupuncture and other types of homeopathic medicine. When performed correctly, chiropractic treatment can be an effective way to enhance an animal’s overall health, as well as treat chronic and acute injuries.

The foundation of chiropractic philosophy is based on the intimate relationship between the spinal column and the nervous system, as well as the role of the spinal column in biomechanics and movement. Spinal nerves that provide innervation for all of the body, including internal organs, muscles, skin, etc., exit the spinal column through very small spaces between each vertebrae. When normal motion is restricted in the spine or there is misalignment (referred to as a vertebral subluxation complex or VSC), the animal loses normal flexibility of its spine, affecting performance and resulting in stiffness and muscular tension. In addition to affecting biomechanics, these VSCs can interfere with normal nerve function of the spinal nerves and negatively affecting internal organ function and overall health.