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A complementary and alternative health care profession with
the purpose of diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders
of the spine and musculoskeletal system with the intention
of affecting the nervous system and improving health. It
is based on the premise that a spinal joint misalignment,
which chiropractors call a vertebral subluxation, can interfere
with the nervous system and result in many different conditions
of diminished health.
Treatments typically
include spinal adjustments to correct the vertebral subluxation,
though some may use other holistic interventions as well.
In contrast, the term subluxation, as used in conventional
medicine, is usually associated with specific conditions
which are a direct consequence of injury to joints or associated
nerves. A chiropractic adjustment is defined as short lever,
high velocity controlled thrust by hand or instrument that
is directed at specific articulations to correct vertebral
subluxations. It comprises the adjustment of vertebral joints,
extremity joints, and cranial sutures. It includes evaluating
the patient’s history, intended use/athleticism, health
state and prior x-rays and tests. A chiropractic exam includes
a neurological exam, stance and gait analysis and motion
and static palpation.
Benefits/Contraindications
Animals can get
relief with neck, back, leg, and tail pain, muscle spasms
and nerve problems, impact injuries, jaw or TMJ problems,
difficulty chewing, event or sports injuries, post-surgical
care, bowel, bladder, and internal medicine disorders, maintenance
of joint and spinal health, healing and pain relief from
chronic internal medicine disorders, lameness, mobility
issues, athletic competitions, surgery involving anesthesia,
seizures or neurological problems, geriatric household pet,
recovery from illness or injury, behavior or mood change,
in horses, head shy, cinchy, reluctance to pick up a lead
or go in one direction, pulling one way or hair color or
pattern change along the body, chronic health problems that
do not resolve as expected, signs of navicular disease or
laminitis. Rider and horse both benefit from chiropractic.
Licensing/Training
The Animal Chiropractic
Certification Commission (ACCC) of the American Veterinary
Chiropractic Association develops standards of care in animal
chiropractic, conducts a professional certification program
and awards credentials to individuals who meet established
criteria and assessments in different modes of care. The
purpose of the examination process is to ensure the public
and the animal chiropractic profession that those candidates
who pass written comprehensive and clinical examinations
are suitable for certification in the field of animal chiropractic.
The examinations are designed to evaluate the suitability
for practice in the international animal chiropractic environment.
AVCA Certification: Earning certification from
the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association ACCC represents
a significant professional achievement. ACCC/AVCA Certification
makes an important statement about professional competence
that is recognized by the profession, the public and some
regulatory bodies.
- AVCA is the primary national credential for this field
in North America
- Certification was developed based upon input and oversight
from both professions
- Over 855 animal chiropractic professionals have been
certified since 1989
- ACCC has embarked upon a program of continuous improvement
for the certification program
- ACCC/AVCA Certification establishes and promotes professional
accountability and visibility
- ACCC/AVCA Certification increases referrals by identifying
those professionals who have met specific standards of
knowledge and experience
- Certification encourages continued professional growth
and development
- Certification adds authority to clinical opinions in
medical reports
- Certification can open doors to speaking engagements,
including universities
- Certified Doctors may call themselves “certified
in animal chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic
Association (AVCA)”
- AVCA Certified Doctors can request release of AVCA
Certification status to state licensure boards
- AVCA Certified Doctors may participate in ACCC committees
and activities
- AVCA Certified Doctors can be listed in the ACCC’s
Directory of Certified Doctors which is published on the
referral web site (www.avcadoctors.com)
and which has come to be recognized and published as a
valuable resource for consumers and other professionals
to find certified practitioners
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