Standard Adjustment Procedure
Saying Hello!
The first and most important part of the chiropractic exam is getting to know the patient. A successful chiropractic adjustment requires the horse to be a relaxed and willing participant. A calm, quiet environment can be very helpful for nervous horses.
History and Physical Exam
Next it is important to find out the patient's medical history and do a physical exam. This involves feeling over the back and limbs as well as watching the horse move.
Pelvic Adjustment
The pelvis is the very tail (pun intended) end of the spinal cord and it is extremely important for movement. Even slight alterations can greatly change posture and gait and lead to injury. The lumbosacral joint, sacral apex, both sacroiliac joints and intertransverse joints are all palpated and adjusted as needed.
Thoracic and Lumbar Spine
In chiropractic care the spine is the first and most important part of the neurologic system. There are 18 thoracic and 6 lumbar vertebrae in a horse. Every one is palpated and evaluated for movement. Because the spine is so interconnected, a VSC in the upper back can cause lower back pain and vice versa. Where it hurts doesn't always correlate to where the problem is.
Cervical Adjustment
Everything starts with the head and neck. There are seven cervical vertebrae in a horse's neck and they play a huge role. Again each vertebrae is palpated and adjusted as needed. This really requires trust from the horse, but once they relax most seem to really enjoy it!
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
When I think about how many hours a day a horse spends (or should spend) chewing hay my own TMJ hurts. One of the most relaxing parts of the chiropractic adjustment is the traction and compression on the TMJ. Many horses seem to relax into a trance.
Extremity Adjustment
Once the spine has been cleared of problems the limbs can be examined. There are many times that correcting a problem in the spine can resolve a perceived lameness. This requires cooperation since the doctor must hold the leg up to motion all the joints. It is very important that you describe any injuries present. Adjusting a joint near a torn tendon or ligament or right after getting the joint injection can lead to complications.