The Power of Chiropractic for Pets:
- Dr. Andi Harper
- Sep 29
- 6 min read
Moving Beyond Surface Pain Relief
Too often, the conventional veterinary toolbox reaches first for pharmaceuticals—pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, or even surgery to address pain. And while these solutions for pain may quiet symptoms for a while, they rarely address the root cause of dysfunction.
At Everwell Pets, we see pain differently. Symptoms aren’t the enemy; they’re red flags, signals from the body that something deeper is out of balance. Instead of asking, “What pill will fix this?” we ask, “What pattern is causing this?” This shift in perspective represents a move away from the pharmaceutical-heavy model of care and toward a paradigm that taps into the body’s innate ability to self-regulate and heal—when given the right nudge.
That’s where chiropractic shines. Rather than covering up discomfort, chiropractic care seeks to correct the interference itself, restoring communication, mobility, and vitality. It’s not about chasing pain; it’s about eliminating the cause so your pet can move with ease and live with joy.
When most people think of chiropractic, they picture a quick “crack” for a stiff back or a cranky neck. But animal chiropractic goes far beyond that—and it can do wonders for your dog, cat, or horse in ways that extend well beyond the spine.
History Of Animal Chiropractic
The roots of animal chiropractic date back to the 1980s, when veterinarians and human chiropractors began joining forces. Since then, it has grown into a respected specialty as more pet parents look for safe, natural, and effective ways to support mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall vitality. Chiropractic represents more than a therapy—it’s a movement toward functional wellness, where alignment restores balance, nervous system flow, and healing from the inside out.
The Manual Adjustment: Low Force, High Velocity
The hallmark of animal chiropractic care is the manual adjustment—a specific, low-amplitude, high-velocity thrust delivered to a restricted joint.
Let’s break that down:
Low amplitude = very small movement
High velocity = very quick, targeted speed
This is not a big yank or twist—it’s a precisely timed and directed force that restores normal motion to the joint without overwhelming the body. The speed of the adjustment stimulates mechanoreceptors (movement sensors) in the joint capsule, sending a surge of proprioceptive input to the brain.
This input tells the central nervous system (CNS):“Hey! This area is safe. You can stop guarding it now.”
The result? The nervous system recalibrates, muscles relax, posture improves, and the body resumes self-regulation. In animals, the shift is often immediate—relief, release, or a sudden willingness to move more freely.
Beyond the Hands: Instrument-Assisted Adjusting
While many animal chiropractors use their hands exclusively, others incorporate adjusting tools to meet the needs of different species, sizes, or temperaments.
Some commonly used tools include:
Activator® – spring-loaded instruments that deliver a controlled, consistent thrust to specific spinal segments. Great for small dogs, cats, or anxious animals.
ArthroStim® – a hand-held mechanical instrument that provides rapid, repetitive low-force adjustments, useful for muscle-rich or reactive areas.
These tools allow the practitioner to fine-tune the adjustment with precision, speed, and minimal force—making the experience safe and comfortable, even for senior pets or animals recovering from injury.[2]
A Note from the Table: How I Adjust
In my own practice, I use both my hands and the ArthroStim® adjusting tool, tailoring the approach to what best serves the individual animal. Most of the time, my hands do the majority of the work—I find that the tactile feedback and connection help me assess tension, motion, and subtle shifts in the body.
That said, the ArthroStim is a fantastic tool when a lighter, faster input is needed—especially for dogs who are sensitive, ticklish, or less tolerant of prolonged touch.
Some dogs absolutely love the full hands-on experience, melting into the adjustment and relaxing under pressure. Others prefer a more streamlined session and seem to say, “Skip the petting, let’s get to the point.” For those pups, a few well-placed pulses from the ArthroStim does the trick beautifully. The blend is always based on what the dog prefers, and that flexibility helps ensure each session is both effective and respectful of their comfort.
Benefits of Animal Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic can benefit animals in all stages of life—from gangly puppies and curious kittens to performance horses and senior dogs navigating the challenges of aging.
Common reasons pet parents seek chiropractic care include:
Lameness or uneven gait
Difficulty getting up or lying down
Head shaking, stiffness, or reluctance to turn
Post-surgical recovery support
Behavioral changes related to pain or tension
Performance issues in agility or working dogs
Bowel or digestive changes linked to spinal misalignments
And more...
While all species benefit from spinal balance, dogs tend to show improvements quickly and dramatically. Their movement patterns (jumping off beds, chasing balls, pulling leashes) and their close daily contact with humans make them ideal candidates for chiropractic care.
In horses, chiropractic has long been used to support stride length, symmetry, and saddle fit tolerance. In cats—though less frequently adjusted—chiropractic may help with balance issues, stiffness, or even bathroom habits if linked to lumbar or pelvic misalignments [3].
The Healing Process
One of the most important things to understand about chiropractic care—whether for humans or animals—is that it’s rarely a one-and-done solution. As much as I’d love to deliver that magical “one adjustment and everything is better” moment, bodies just don’t work that way.
Healing takes time, especially when patterns of tension, compensation, or dysfunction have built up over weeks, months, or even years. That’s why chiropractic is best approached as a process, not just a quick tune-up.
In my practice, I look for a change within the first three sessions. That change may be small—it might not even be what the owner or I expected—but if something shifts, that’s my signal that the body is responding and we’re headed in the right direction.
After the initial visit, I typically recommend a follow-up 1 to 2 weeks later, depending on the case. That may be repeated a few times on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, especially for acute or complex cases. Once we see consistent improvement, we’ll stretch the intervals to monthly visits until resolution of the issue.
Each treatment plan is customized because every body—canine, feline, or equine—is unique.
For my senior dogs, regular care is often essential for quality of life. These golden oldies might come in every 4–6 weeks, or every other month, to keep their mobility, circulation, and comfort levels in check.
And then there are the superstar pet parents, the ones who show up like clockwork every month, no matter their dog’s age, because they’ve seen what consistent care can do.
Bottom line? Maintenance matters. And consistency creates results.
Complementary or Alternative Health Modality?
Animal chiropractic isn’t just a sidekick to conventional care—it often shines brightest as the primary approach for mobility issues, chronic pain, and neurologic imbalance. Instead of layering on more medications to mask symptoms, chiropractic offers a gentle, drug-free way to restore proper communication between the spine, nervous system, and body.
That doesn’t mean it can’t work alongside your vet’s recommendations—it absolutely can. But when it comes to addressing pain at its source, chiropractic frequently does what pills cannot: it corrects the interference rather than covering it up.
When integrated into a holistic care plan that may include nutrition, movement, and emotional wellness, chiropractic becomes more than an adjustment—it becomes the foundation for long-term resilience and comfort.
Conclusion: Realigning Health, Naturally
Animal chiropractic is more than a trend—it’s a movement toward functional wellness, where health is measured not just in lab values but in posture, energy, and ease of movement. By restoring alignment, we restore flow—of signals, blood, lymph, and life force. Whether your dog is struggling to climb stairs, your cat is moving stiffly, or your horse seems just a little “off,” chiropractic care may offer the key to renewed vitality.
Instead of masking it with another pill, let’s honor what the body is telling us and address the root cause. Chiropractic care gives our pets the chance to heal, move, and thrive—naturally, joyfully, and without unnecessary pharmaceuticals.
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Sources
Activator Methods International. “About the Activator Adjusting Instrument.” https://www.activator.com
American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA). “What is Animal Chiropractic?” https://www.animalchiropractic.org
Levine, D., et al. (2007). “The use of complementary and alternative therapies in dogs and cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Inman, R. (2019). Foundations of Animal Chiropractic. Animal Chiropractic Education Source.
Bahr, Barbara. “Animal Chiropractic: A Unique Approach to Health and Wellness.” Integrative Veterinary Care Journal.