Animal Chiropractic

What Is Animal Chiropractic?

Animal chiropractic is a drug-free approach to your animal’s health care. It is the Science, Art and Philosophy that utilizes the inborn recuperative powers of all living creatures. It restores the important relationship between the animal’s spine and nervous system. This helps them regain and maintain their health. The goal of the animal chiropractor is to correct subluxations, restoring normal nerve function and improving the animal’s well being.

Dr. Heick is a lifetime professional member of the American Veterinary chiropractic Association (AVCA). AVCA professional membership is limited to licensed doctors of chiropractic and licensed doctors of veterinary medicine who are certified in animal chiropractic by the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the AVCA, the primary national credential for this profession in North America. These doctors have successfully completed the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the AVCA certification requirements which included successfully passing an AVCA approved postgraduate program (a minimum of 210 hours) in animal chiropractic. Certification is distinct from licensure in that it is voluntary and requires re-certification to maintain the credential. ACCC/AVCA Certified Doctors are required 30 hours of continuing education every three years to keep certification current.

The AVCA was established in 1989. Chiropractic is a drug-free approach to pet health care. It deals with the nervous system housed inside the spinal column. If you are seeking health care treatment for neuromusculoskeletal function or dysfunction in your animal, or would like more information on animal chiropractic, speak with Dr. Heick at 519-746-3838 or visit the AVCA website at www.animalchiropractic.org

What Exactly Is My Animal’s Problem?

Due to a number of factors that are unique to your pet, spinal and joint segments can either get out of alignment or begin to function irregularly. Chiropractors call these subluxations. As a result, symptoms occur due to nerve irritation or pinching, tissue inflammation or muscle spasm. Later, the joints will prematurely degenerate causing even more problems. The nerves are usually the key factor because they can affect so many things. When they are pinched or irritated, they will not only cause specific symptoms, but affect the strength of the area and can even cause dysfunction in a corresponding organ system. Because the nerves are such a vital part of the body’s healing system, subluxations will also slow down the body’s ability to heal or adapt properly. Correcting subluxations not only relieves symptoms, but it turns up the power. This can help make your animal more powerful in many ways.

How Are Subluxations Corrected?

Chiropractors use a technique called an adjustment to correct the subluxations and help the joints function more normally.

How Long Will It Take to Get Better?

A number of factors must be considered:

Number of subluxations
How long it has been there
Severity of the subluxations
Age and ability to heal
Regular activities or stresses
Willingness to co-operate

The rate of recovery is unique and cannot be compared to others.