Is there really such a thing as veterinary chiropractic? What is spinal manipulation? Is there a difference? What about Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation? Could these terms be anymore confusing?

Technicallythe term chiropractic can only be applied when referring to humans. Thus, chiropractic is a term which does not technically exist within the field of veterinary medicine. While the term cannot be used, however, the art of chiropractic care is most definitely alive and well within veterinary medicine. To get around the semantics, we refer to chiropractic work on animals as spinal manipulation. So these terms can be considered are one in the same.

Lets complicate things further and look at veterinary orthopedic manipulation (VOM). This is a technique which uses a chiropractic activator- a high velocity, low force instrument- to affect an adjustment. This is a valid method of adjustment which some animals actually find preferable to manual hands on manipulation. I personally have an activator which I use on occasion. The difference between using the activator as a chiropractor would and using it as one would when preforming VOM is vast. I have taken the VOM weekend course to see what this technique was and I did gain some insights. This method, as taught, however, is unrefined and very nonspecific. You are not taught to feel misalignments and correct only those areas which have problems. Furthermore, no attempt is make to even begin to instruct students how to direct the applied forces so that you can use the least amount of force to affect your desired adjustment. I have seen results in using VOM as taught, but for my dog, I would consider it a poor cousin to a true chiropractic adjustment.

I do not doubt that veterinarians offering VOM services are doing so with the best of intentions and that many of their patients are benefiting. That said, I worry that not enough has been taught to make these practitioners aware of the need for caution in their treatments. As a pet owner it is your responsibility to be aware what is being offered to you so that you can make informed choices for your pet.