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New Research Sheds Light on Dogs & Chiropractic

Research Reveals Chiropractic May Alleviate Unnecessary Suffering

Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on a 7-year-old dog that was paralyzed and recovered following chiropractic care reveals that chiropractic could play an important role in managing canines. The research discussed a case of a Dachshund with no appetite, inability to go to the bathroom and hind leg paralysis who experienced relief following chiropractic.

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“Research reveals that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine and  nervous system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “Research is also showing that animals other than humans additionally benefit from chiropractic care.” 

Research has shown not only that the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions in the body but that complex neurochemical communication and pathways involved in helping animals adapt to their environment are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways. 

According to McCoy “The brain constantly needs and wants to know what is going on in the body. If there is obstruction to the neurological communication between the spine and the brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur and this can lead to symptoms such as paralysis, loss of appetite and inability to go to the bathroom. 

Researchers studying the connection between chiropractic, nerve obstruction and these disorders believe that these types of functional disorders can be caused by even slight misalignments of the bones in the spine. 

“There are very important structural and functional relationships between the spine and the brain that if disturbed can result in a host of problems with how the body functions whether it’s a human or a dog” remarked McCoy. He added “If there are structural shifts of the spinal vertebrae these can lead to nerve obstruction. It is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxation, that chiropractors correct.” 

According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function. 

The 7-year old Dachshund in this study was very active except for an occasional high step in his stride.  Following a jump off the bed he yelped in pain and began holding his body in a curved posture to go downstairs and would not jump off anything anymore.    He had a decrease in appetite, loss of bowel control, and vomiting.  His veterinarian prescribed several medications, diagnosed him with a lumbar disc herniation, and recommended chiropractic care. 

The chiropractor examined him and found tight muscles and structural shifts in his neck, lower back, and pelvis.  Range of motion, and an MRI confirmed the findings.  These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. 

Following chiropractic care, he experienced dramatic improvements in all his symptoms, as his owner reported the canine had returned to his “normal youthful self.” 

The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in canines.

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/vertebral-subluxation-research-1/
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com

McCoy Press