Last Updated on September 6, 2023 by Dr. Alisha Barnes
If your dog isn’t acting like their old self, you may want to see dog chiropractic care instead of the vet. While most of us wouldn’t think about a chiropractor, it could very well be the easiest fix for a dog that’s acting lazy and timid in running around and being active.
Most Americans treat their pets like a member of the family, and rightfully so. Dogs add richness and love to our lives, so it only makes sense to give them the highest quality foods, the best health care, and all our free time so that we can get to make great memories with our best friend.
As dogs begin to age, however, they become more sluggish and less energetic, giving us less of their time as they spend countless hours on the sofa or in bed. Is this just old age, or could this be a sign of something more serious that needs to be addressed?
While many vets may take a very close look at your dog in diagnosing the cause of these symptoms, they often don’t look at the spine, rather attribute this lack of motivation and energy to vitamin deficiencies or other underlying health issues. While in some cases the root cause of such symptoms is in fact nutrition or disease, dog chiropractor and dog spine expert Dr Alisha Barnes urges dog owners to seek the opinion of a dog chiropractor before jumping to conclusions. Having treated thousands of dogs with spinal issues, Dr Alisha is certain that 9 out of 10 dogs who are showing signs of sluggishness are indeed suffering with back pain as a result of spinal misalignments or deformities.
Dog Chiropractic Care
Dog chiropractic care is something most of us have probably never heard of, but should be something we have to have on our list of go-to’s when it comes to solving our dog’s health issues. Why? While conventional medicine is great at helping our dogs during a crisis or to address illness, pet chiropractic care focuses on improving our dogs’ energy levels, addressing chronic pain, and helping with mobility.
“The spine is truly at the core of many dog related health issues, including sluggishness, lack of motivation to move, and what we perceive as low energy levels” explains Dr Alisha, who has helped thousands of dogs regain the spring in their steps. Dr Alisha explains how a bad back could very well be the culprit for our dogs’ inability to jump down from the sofa like they used to, timidness in running down the stairs, and lack of desire to run after a tennis ball.
“If you and I were suffering with back pain, we would most probably want to be left alone, and would have no desire to get out of the house and start exercising because we know we would be subjecting our bodies to more pain and discomfort” explains Dr Alisha, adding, “The same is true with our four-legged fluffy friends, except they can’t tell you they have back pain, so instead curl up in their beds and decide to ignore your attempts to get them to go out.”
Chiropractic care for dogs is truly a remarkable approach to addressing spine and joint issues, and while it is something we may not have heard of, the reality is that it works really well in addressing pain, and giving dogs their mobility and energy back.
Similar to what a chiropractor for humans would do, Dr Alisha begins by taking detailed X-rays of your dog’s spine, then examines their posture to pinpoint the source of pain. Understanding which area of the spine may be putting excess pressure on the nerves allows Dr Alisha to carefully adjust the dog’s spine, and methodically remove the nerve inferences that were attributing to your dog’s pain. Through several chiropractic sessions, the spine is corrected back to its optimal shape, which means your dog will begin to experience pain reduction, better health, and feeling more flexible.
Simply put, a healthy spine is what promotes good health and longevity for both humans and animals. Similar to a kink in a garden hose which prohibits water from fully flowing from one end to the other, a spinal misalignment prohibits nerve energy from flowing correctly from the brain to various body parts and organs. In time, this diminished nerve flow could cause more than just pain, but more importantly, could reduce the function of critical organs, and diminish the length of life.
So, is dog chiropractic care right for you and your dog? Most probably! If you or a loved one has a dog who isn’t being themselves lately, consider seeing a dog chiropractor in your area for help, or contact us if you live in Boulder, Windsor, or Fort Collins for an appointment with Dr Alisha. We are positive that we can help improve your dog’s health!