This definition was challenged in Michigan in 1998 and it was upheld by the court of appeals that chiropractic is an exclusively human term. I completed my animal chiropractic training in 2004, and whether a veterinarian could be challenged or sued for using the term was certainly a point of discussion. Some veterinarians are unsure enough of what the outcome would be in such a case in their States that they choose not to use the term chiropractic.

The other place where this definition becomes significant is with human chiropractors adjusting animals. Most states that I know of restrict chiropractors from adjusting animals unless they have a referral from the pet’s veterinarian. Other states state that a human chiropractor must work with the veterinarian.

My point in this post was to make people aware that when looking for an animal chiropractor, they may see the term spinal manipulation used in lieu of chiropractic. Certainly, there is a Veterinary Chiropractic Association and the term is used widely by the large associations. Still, many individual veterinary practitioners stear clear of the term in the phone book or in other venues so as to avoid the possibility for any controversy.

I think that the site you were referencing is http://www.avcadoctors.com. It is a very good site and gives a good discription of chiropractic and how it works. I have on my cue of articles to write, one regarding chiropractic medicine, how and why it works. Perhaps I will modify this one in the future to include such information. I agree that that is information not covered here and maybe it should be.

I have many clients who are confused by the terms used for adjusting animals and felt that a post on the different terms and their meanings would be helpful for those who were seeking chiropractic care for their pets and seeing terms possibly unfamiliar to them.

As a veterinarian certified in both VOM and animal chiropractic, I have certainly seen positive results from both modalities and do not mean to suggest that VOM is not potentially benificial. I, however, opt to apply forces to my patients backs to adjust them only where I feel and adjustment is needed. Please note that I have NO problems using a chiropractic activator and do use one on occasion. I just restrict my use of such an instrument to those areas that I feel are subluxated.