Training and Qualifications
In the UK there are only two ways in which someone could
have trained and qualified to practice as an Animal Manipulative Therapist/Chiropractor
- one is with the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and the other is through
the Oxford College of Chiropractic (formerly the Witney School of Chiropractic)
both based in Oxfordshire. Both offer training in Human Chiropractic as
do other institutions, but both provide, as a separate Post Graduate qualification,
training in ANIMAL manipulative therapy. Only those practitioners which
have specifically undergone the Animal course have the knowledge and skills
necessary to treat an animal.
If someone, calling themselves an Animal Chiropractor, cannot
show that they trained and qualified with one of the above two institutions
- they are not what they say they are. Would you trust your own health
to an untrained "doctor"!
McTimoney College of Chiropractic
The Animal Chiropractic course lasts two years (part-time
with additional field work working alongside experienced practitioners)
and is based at Warwickshire Agricultural College. The programme is the
only one in the country that is externally validated and the Diploma is
awarded by the University Of Wales.
Students are taught by specialist veterinary surgeons, and
study animal anatomy and the physiology of movement to a level at least
on a par with that of veterinary surgeons themselves. Students are assessed
partly through coursework and partly through examinations - both practical
and theory.
As of this year (2000) those who successfully qualify will
have attained the Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Manipulation
(McTimoney Chiropractic) - the "PGDip", whereas previously
qualified practitioners will carry the letters "AMC" - Animal
Manipulation Certificate.
Practitioners will normally be members of the McTimoney
Chiropractic Association - MCA.
Oxford College of Chiropractic
The Animal course lasts 18 months (again, part time with
additional field work) and is based at West Oxfordshire Agricultural Teaching
Farm and Stud. Again, students are taught by highly qualified staff, including
vets, and if successful gain the Diploma in Chiropractic.
Qualified practitioners will have the letters DC (WSC) after
their name, more recently this was changed to DC (OCC). Practitioners
will normally be members of the British Association of Applied Chiropractic
- BAAC.
Summary
At the moment (surprisingly) there are no guidelines from
the RCVS to say that a vet should only refer clients and their animals
to a trained and qualified Animal Manipulative Therapist - whether a Chiropractor
or not - so in theory a vet could refer a client to an untrained and unqualified
practitioner. However most vets will be vigilant about therapists to whom
they refer cases and it may only be a matter of time before a directive
is issued and perhaps added to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct.
The majority of vets are concerned about the number of untrained and unqualified
people treating and perhaps even damaging animals.
Practitioners qualified from either of the above colleges
will be properly trained and qualified.
Sometimes a joint between 2 vertebrae may become slightly fixated restricting the normal range of motion and decreasing flexibility. This could be due to a fall, a bad stumble, getting cast or a badly fitting saddle. It could be due to lameness or poor shoeing and a resultant change in the way the horse normally moves.
A back problem is almost always a secondary problem to a primary cause which is why it is absolutely essential to have a veterinary surgeon diagnose the primary problem and decide if chiropractic treatment is going to benefit the animal before referring to a chiropractor. If the primary cause goes untreated, the problem will keep reoccurring no matter how many times you seek chiropractic help.
Although many slight joint fixations resolve themselves through muscle activity, such as rolling, or normal spinal movements such as bending and stretching, some fixations can persist.
When this stage is reached some physical symptoms will probably be seen. This could range from subtle changes in the animal's performance to muscle spasm and soreness, stiffness, or lack of collection or impulsion or even a degree of inco-ordination. There may be nerve pain in long term cases and, where a nerve is being pinched there could be numbness or pins and needles.
It could even show itself as a behavioural problem such as a cold back, bucking, not wanting to "bend" on one rein or refusing fences.
When it gets to this stage then an external influence is required to restore normality.
What will a chiropractor do?
Having being referred by a vet, a chiropractor will already have some idea of what the problem is. However body tissues are living things and are constantly changing so a chiropractor will ask questions of both the owner and the rider (where the patient is a horse), and most probably carry out an examination which usually includes an analysis of both posture and gait. Assessment of the animal may reveal asymmetries, such as unequal muscle size or tone between the left and right side which are not normal for that animal. The chiropractor will also look for abnormal head or neck placement, foot placement or any sign that the posture being adopted is not normal for that animal.
The chiropractor may then assess the range of movement of the animal's spine to see if it is even on both sides, as well as palpating the muscles around the spine to assess any muscle spasm, swelling or the presence of any hot or cold spots that will indicate an alteration in circulation.
The chiropractor will then look for uneven wear on hooves, shoes or claws, before watching the animal moving to assess whether there is any lameness, weakness, "hiking" of one hip, shortening of the stride, stumbling, inco-ordination or bizarre or restricted movement.
What does chiropractic treatment consist of?
The treatment will not hurt the animal, in fact most animals thoroughly
enjoy it! It is quite common for an animal to become increasingly relaxed
as the treatment progresses even to the point of becoming drowsy.
The chiropractic adjustment consists of a short, sharp thrust to a specific
area which releases muscle spasm, alleviates pain and returns the joint to
its normal range of motion. This allows the body to restore its own natural
balance and harmony.
The chiropractor will then advise on aftercare, as afterwards the animal
may have a reaction to the treatment. This could range from feeling better
straight away to being stiff, sore or appearing worse the next day. It may
also go off its food for a short time.
The chiropractor should advise on a re-fittening and rehabilitation programme
to try to ensure that the animal has the necessary level of fitness and musculature
to cope with the demands made upon it, thereby reducing the risk of further
injury. The chiropractor should also send a fully detailed, written report
to the referring veterinary surgeon.
REMEMBER - a chiropractor can only treat an animal under the direction of
a veterinary surgeon.
Proper animal chiropractic treatment requires education, training and experience
and it is extremely important to carefully consider who is doing any chiropractic
care you need for your animal - see the feature above about Training &
Qualifications.