Indek Chiropractic :: 781-337-1180
FIXATION vs SEGMENTAL DYSFUNCTION vs VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION COMPLEX
Ok you are asking yourself what does all that mean? Well it is simple.
FIXATION : Is when a spinal joint gets stuck and just does not move properly. There are no symptoms and 90% of the fixations that occur to your horse or dog correct themselves with movement and rest.
SEGMENTAL DYSFUNCTION : Occurs when a fixation is not corrected. The spinal joint is stuck and now is creating muscle soreness and tightness as well as sensitivity changes.
VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION COMPLEX : Is the end result of uncorrected segmental dysfunction. When VSC occurs spinal joints are stuck, muscles are working incorrectly causing soreness and compensation, as well as nerves are inflammed and causing abnormal organ function as well.
When is the best time to have your horse or dog checked and adjusted? Wellness check ups long before symptoms appear is the best time. It is easy for a chiropractor to adjust and correct a fixation. It is much more time consuming and costly to wait to full blown symptoms within the VSC occur. Have your horse or dog on a regular chiropractic check up schedule.
EQUINE JOURNAL
June 2011 issue has great article on Alternative Care for your Horse.
TOE IN or TOE OUT
Many times you will notice a horse or dog who will present with a hoof or paw turned out or in on the front or back extremity. There can be sore stifle and or hock as well. One of the common causes of this issue is a sacroiliac problem. When the pelvis drops it can create a short or long leg functional problem. The hoof or paw will toe out on the long leg side while the short leg side wil bear increasing weight and increase lameness.
The Hock stablizes excess movement on heel strike of the long leg side thus further increasing lameness.
When the long leg toes out this will increase piriformis tension and giving rise to a hip problems.
This leg issue will increase tension on the cruciate ligaments of the stifle or knee in the dog and even contribute to a luxating patella.
CONFORMATION
The length of a horse's spine determines how fit and athletic he or she is. To evaluate your horse divide his body into thirds. The first third is from the point ot the shoulder to the elbow, the second is from the elbow to the croup and the last third is from the croup to the point of the butt. All 3 should be equal in length. If the second third from the elbow to the croup is too long or short your horse will have flexability problems which will result in possible injury and poor ride. When there is a conformation issue such as this a wellness chiropractic visit is essential to limit the spinal damage caused by poor biomechanics.
LONG CLAWS
When your dog has long claws it will increase paw flexion and yield stress on his flexor tendons {the tendons behind his paw on the back side of the leg}. This stress on the tendons can lead to lameness. Keeping the claws trimmed is the best defense. Cutting or Dremel are good choices. If you can hear your dog's claws on a bare floor, they are too long.
AVCA
I am certified by the American Vet. Chiropractic Assoc. www.animalchiropractic.org
NEW ARTICLE IN CENTERED RIDING
www.centeredriding.org/newsshow.asp?int_id=108
NEW K9 PARTNER
http://www.bostonk9concierge.com/