Animal chiropractic care offers a gentle, drug-free approach to improving mobility, relieving pain, and supporting the overall wellbeing of your horse or dog.
What is Animal Chiropractic?
In the UK, there are many people who refer to themselves as “horse backdoctors and/or manipulators”. It should be noted that to perform chiropractic treatment on animals, you must be either a Veterinary Surgeon or Human Chiropractor who has completed an approved veterinary chiropractic course.
Sarah did her post graduate training in the Essentials of Veterinary Chiropractic with the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic (IAVC). As per the Veterinary Act, you will need to obtain your vet’s permission before a chiropractor treats your animal.
Why should my animal have Chiropractic treatment?
An animal chiropractor works by fully examining the patient – their history, gait and mobility. They are trained to recognise and treat vertebral subluxation complexes (VSC) within the spine where movement is limited. A subluxation can be caused by trauma; bad posture, overuse and/or bad habits. If a joint does not move properly, it alters the nerve signals sent to the brain and then the nervous supply to this area can change. The altered and abnormal nerve signals have a wide ranging effect on the animal’s health, influencing not only the nerves and muscles but also the internal organs and the immune system. This can lead to poor performance and injury. The goal of an animal chiropractor is to restore function and mobility influencing the nervous system in a positive way by using specific gentle adjustments.
Signs and symptoms that your animal may need to see an Animal Chiropractor
Any movement can be affected by both mechanical and neurological effects of VSC. If they exist, the animal loses their natural flexibility of their spine and it can affect their performance resulting in stiffness, muscular pain and tension.
Recognising problems in Horses:
- Pain and stiffness when moving or being touched
- Reduced performance
- Negative changes in behaviour or attitude
- Abnormal gait, shortened stride or lameness
- Difficulty or inability in taking a correct lead
- Bucking
- Difficulty or inability to collect or do lateral work
- Pinning ears back or snapping when being cinched
- Difficulty flexing at the poll
- Changes in posture
- Avoidance/disobedience when jumping
- Evading when working from behind
- Tail swishing
- Resistance to being ridden
- Unusual itching
- Abnormal sweating
Recognising problems in Dogs:
- Pain when being touched, petted or lifted
- Reluctance or difficulty when climbing stairs or jumping up/down
- Difficulty when getting up after lying down
- Negative changes in behaviour or attitude
- Altered sitting (puppy sitting)
- Constantly licking or chewing paws
- Lameness or changes in gait
- Changes in performance
- Lying on one side more than the other
Animal chiropractic for horses and dogs in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire
At Richards Chiropractic, we’re passionate about supporting the health and wellbeing of animals through gentle, effective chiropractic care. Whether your horse is showing signs of stiffness or your dog is struggling with mobility, our specialist animal chiropractor can help restore comfort and function.
Book a consultation today and give your horse or dog the care they deserve. Expert animal chiropractic in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire – helping animals move better, feel better, live better.
Book consultation today
Begin your journey to relief with Richards Chiropractic. Book your initial consultation and take the first step toward lasting recovery from pain.
Couldn’t tell if chiropractic treatment was suitable for my issue, from a lot of research online. This became a catch-22 as I needed help but was apprehensive about spending money on something ultimately unhelpful. Sarah was the only chiropractor in the area who took the time to respond to queries via email with honesty, and in the end kindly offered to meet and talk so I was better informed. While Sarah recommended a better-suited route of treatment for me, I am still leaving a review. Since it is such a privilege these days to come across someone honest and evidently highly experienced, who actually listens and takes concerns seriously.
Guy Harper
Fantastic chiropractor – Sarah always sorts out my neck and back pain. I have referred other people to her who have been equally impressed with their treatments.
Annie
Excellent service. Gutted I moved a few hundred miles away, which is the only reason you will find to stop seeing Sarah. After she helped me recover from the worst of my sciatica, the less regular maintenance appointments helped stop a serious flare up. Any flare ups were down to me pushing my luck, more often than I should have. I never felt judged by Sarah. Even though it meant I saw her less she recommend pilates to help me improve my core strength and posture. If I get a big win on the lottery I’d consider bribing her to relocate. Having an excellent chiropractic in your local area us priceless.
Michelle Brigham
Very professional and extremely helpful. Worked wonders on my back. Highly recommended.
Amalia Wyatt
Highly recommended. Treatments are fantastic! Just as much as Ms Richards is
Kyra Shaan
Sarah has got me and a dodgy knee through 2 marathon length charity walks pain free. She has a professional yet friendly approach talking you through the treatment plan and providing clear guidance on additional exercises to do between treatments. I have and do recommend her to anyone seeking a chiropractor.
Sheshela
Sarah was recommended to me when I moved to MK over 16 years ago. I’ve trusted her to look after my back ever since, which she’s done in a friendly and very professional manner. I’ve recommended her to a number of friends and family, who have also been very pleased, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again. Thank you Sarah!
Carol Swann
Professional, friendly, highly skilled local practitioner with oodles of experience and tonnes of techniques to ease virtually any ache, pain or injury you can think of! Sarah always finds time to fit me in when I need help and has saved my neck and back from painful restrictions many times. She uses a variety of techniques to help too, highly recommend!
Sally Guest
An absolute god send. Bulging disc nerve damage – drs cannot help you have without doubt. Thank you so much truly for everything
Janine Freed
Over the last 15 years Sarah Richards has changed my life for the better. When I first started with back issues I struggled to do every day things and was in constant pain. Sarah identified the problem areas and treated them accordingly, this helped me to continue as a full time HGV driver. Excellent customer experience every time, my best investment in myself.
Tony Critchley
I have been seeing Sarah for many years now (only every 3 months now for a top up)and I truly believe my lower back treatment has made a huge difference. I don’t even think about my back now whereas before I started seeing Sarah it felt like a constant struggle. I have my life back – thank you
Boz Cranfield
