VSMT- Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy
This is a field of animal health care that focuses on the preservation and health of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. The word “Chiropractic” comes from the Greek meaning “To perform with the hands”. It is considered a natural approach to the care and prevention of disease in pets.
Anything adversely affecting the nervous system will have detrimental effects that will resonate throughout the entire body. The command centers of the nervous system are the brain and spinal cord which are protected by the spine. The spine is a complex framework of bones (vertebra), ligaments, muscles and nerves. If the movement and biomechanics of the vertebra become dysfunctional, they can interfere with the performance of the nerves that are branching off of the spinal cord and going to the all of the muscles and organs. As this occurs, your animal can lose normal mobility; resulting in stiffness, tension, pain and even organ dysfunction. Additionally, when normal movement is affected, and left unattended, it will ultimately impact your animal’s entire well being and quality of life.
*VSMT is NOT intended to assume the primary health care responsibility of animals or replace traditional veterinary medicine*
Visits: Visits consist of an initial evaluation which includes a detailed case history, prior x-rays, laboratory analysis and previous diagnoses as well as a full physical examination of the animal prior to treatment. The first exam is approximately 1 hour and includes posture assessment, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static and motion palpation. Following the evaluation, we will determine which chiropractic adjustments your animal may require. Treatment involves a high velocity, low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint, helping to restore normal movement. Response to chiropractic care can be anywhere from immediate improvement but up to 72 hours after. Results depend on age, severity of restricted motion etc. A follow up adjustment may be required in 1-2 weeks. Once improvement is noted, follow up treatments may be spread out further. For optimal health, maintenance treatments are recommended anywhere from 1 time a month to once every 6 weeks. Follow up treatments vary between 15 and 20 minutes.
The adjustments are gentle and have little or no pain and most pets enjoy the experience! Sometimes after the adjustment the animal can be sore. After the adjustment, the animal should have the remainder of the day to rest but also to engage in low impact activities (ie leash walks). If performed correctly and with proper training VSMT is safe and effective in treating your animal.
Who Benefits: animals of all shapes and sizes as well as ages. Newborns can benefit equally as much as a pet who is of optimal health, a pet who is suffering from an injury or ailment or a senior pet.
*VSMT is NOT intended to assume the primary health care responsibility of animals or replace traditional veterinary medicine*
Visits: Visits consist of an initial evaluation which includes a detailed case history, prior x-rays, laboratory analysis and previous diagnoses as well as a full physical examination of the animal prior to treatment. The first exam is approximately 1 hour and includes posture assessment, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static and motion palpation. Following the evaluation, we will determine which chiropractic adjustments your animal may require. Treatment involves a high velocity, low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint, helping to restore normal movement. Response to chiropractic care can be anywhere from immediate improvement but up to 72 hours after. Results depend on age, severity of restricted motion etc. A follow up adjustment may be required in 1-2 weeks. Once improvement is noted, follow up treatments may be spread out further. For optimal health, maintenance treatments are recommended anywhere from 1 time a month to once every 6 weeks. Follow up treatments vary between 15 and 20 minutes.
The adjustments are gentle and have little or no pain and most pets enjoy the experience! Sometimes after the adjustment the animal can be sore. After the adjustment, the animal should have the remainder of the day to rest but also to engage in low impact activities (ie leash walks). If performed correctly and with proper training VSMT is safe and effective in treating your animal.
Who Benefits: animals of all shapes and sizes as well as ages. Newborns can benefit equally as much as a pet who is of optimal health, a pet who is suffering from an injury or ailment or a senior pet.
Dr Shana Halfon, a 2006 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, has successfully completed the Canadian Animal Chiropractic/Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Certification Program via the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center as of February 2016. The curriculum consists of a minimum of 220+ hours of supervised classroom, 200+ hours of study time, and hands-on instruction over the course of 5, 5 day modules. This program is approved by both the College of Animal Chiropractors (CoAC) and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA). With successful completion of the program, Dr Halfon is a certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapist (VSMT). **Veterinarians legally cannot use the term chiropractics or chiropractor, only licensed human chiropractors can use these terms**