Alternative Therapies in Veterinary Chiropractic

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary focus of progression in rehabilitation exercises?

Increasing the number of rest days

Decreasing exercise frequency

Limiting exercise types

Improving endurance over time (correct)

Which of the following is a type of proprioception exercise?

Backing in hand

Tail stretches

Walking over rails (correct)

Yoga stretches

What is the purpose of Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMF)?

To stimulate healing through circulation (correct)

To enhance muscle flexibility

To provide immediate pain relief only

To replace traditional physiotherapy

Which exercise is NOT typically associated with dynamic mobilization?

Limb weights Signup and view all the answers

What is a common goal of massage in physiotherapy?

To aid in circulation and relaxation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of chiropractic adjustments?

To relieve subluxations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a complementary therapy?

Prescription medication Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is most likely to benefit from chiropractic treatment in young animals?

Acute conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common indication for chiropractic treatment as per the information provided?

Stiffness Signup and view all the answers

How does the effect of chiropractic treatment manifest according to the given information?

Cumulative effects over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organizations is associated with certifying veterinary chiropractors?

American Veterinary Chiropractic Association Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of complementary/integrative therapies listed in the content?

Rehabilitation and performance enhancement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does acupuncture utilize to stimulate specific body points?

Small specialized needles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of PEMF therapy?

Stimulate healing and decrease inflammation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a contraindication for using PEMF therapy?

Pacemakers Signup and view all the answers

How do cold lasers assist in tissue healing?

Through photobiomodulation to increase cell activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of shockwave therapy?

Stimulation of bone formation and remodeling Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the effect of static magnetic field therapy?

The applied magnetic field is typically too weak to be effective. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of injuries is shockwave therapy primarily used for?

Suspensory injuries Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does cold laser therapy use to promote healing?

Increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical safety consideration when using certain lasers?

Using protective eyewear due to light emissions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of acupuncture?

To release endorphins and promote pain relief Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is NOT considered a form of acupuncture?

Trigger point therapy Signup and view all the answers

How are the meridians viewed in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine?

As channels for energy flow along nerves Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main groups into which meridians are divided?

Yin and yang Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does 'DAPE scan' assess in acupuncture?

Reactivity along meridians Signup and view all the answers

Which element in the Five Elements/Personalities is characterized by needing safety and security?

Water Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of manual/physical therapy in the context of veterinary care?

To strengthen the animal Signup and view all the answers

What should practitioners remember about their qualifications in veterinary acupuncture?

Practitioners should stay within their expertise Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alternative/Integrative Therapies

Alternative/integrative therapies should be used alongside a diagnosis.
Complementary/Integrative therapies include:
- Rehabilitation/physical therapy
- Performance enhancement
- Preventive therapy (if injury prone)
- Primarily used for musculoskeletal and neurological injuries

Therapies Excluded

Aura manipulation
Crystals
Reiki healing
Applied Kinesiology
Bach flower remedies
Homeopathy
Telepathic healing

Effects of Therapies

Effects are cumulative
Require time and repetition
Not a "one and done" treatment

Chiropractic

Chiropractic adjustment is a controlled thrust applied to a specific area.
Relieves subluxations and restores range of motion.
Optimizes spinal segment performance.
Veterinary chiropractic is complementary and integrated with traditional medicine.

Indications for Chiropractic

Stiffness and short strides
Lameness
Changes in posture/topline
Cinchy behavior
Headshaking
Difficulty bending to one side with asymmetry
Abnormal tracking/difficulty with leads
Rearing/bucking
Stumbling/tripping
Change in behavior, refusing normal activities
Hollowed posture

Chiropractic Considerations

Most effective on young animals with acute conditions.
Needs time and multiple adjustments for horses to become comfortable.
Should be understood as maintenance therapy.

State Law and Chiropractic

Tennessee: allows veterinarians or doctors of chiropractic to utilize spinal manipulation.

Associations

AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association)
IVCA (International Veterinary Chiropractic Association)

Acupuncture

Complementary therapy using needles to stimulate neurological pathways.
Causes endorphin and chemical release for pain relief.
Used for a variety of conditions.
Mechanism of action not fully understood.

Acupuncture Methods

Aqua puncture
Laser puncture
Bead implantation
Moxibustion
Electro acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)

Qi (energy) flows along meridians.
Points along meridians balance qi.
12 meridians flow along nerves, yin, and yang groups.
- Yin: Lung, kidney, liver, spleen, pericardium, and heart
- Yang: Bladder, lungs, liver, small intestine, triple heater, stomach, and gall bladder

Five Elements/Personalities

Water: Needs safety, insecure, needs a leader
Wood: Dominant, independent, impatient, irritable, fights back in panic
Fire: Wants attention, enjoys grooming, bathing, and the pleasure of the horse
Earth: Dependable, loves food, and worried
Metal: Needs order, a job, desires little interaction, and is determined.

Diagnostic Acupuncture Exam (DAPE)

DAPE scan
Pressure, palpation, touch along meridians to test reactivity.
Trigger points
Often performed with a needle cap

How Acupuncture Works

Releases endorphins
Able to reverse effects with Narcan.

Physiotherapy

Manual/physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Advancing field
Employs:
- Joint mobilization
- Increase range of motion
- Neuromodulation
- Increase proprioception
Goal: strengthen the animal

Staying within your Lane

Do not need to be a veterinarian
Cannot make a diagnosis.

Progress in Therapies

Rehab exercises slowly increases in:
- Frequency
- Intensity
- Time
- Type (specific exercises)
- Cross training
- Progression through the program
- Rest days
- Move to improved endurance

Dynamic Mobilization Exercises

Common exercises include “carrot stretches”/baited stretches, tail stretches, and other “yoga” type stretches.

Exercises

Includes backing in hand, pelvic rounding/tucks, abdominal lifts, tight turns, figure eights/serpentines, walking over rails, gradients, trail rides, exercise bands, seesaw, and underwater treadmill.

Proprioception Exercises

Includes bracelets, limb weights (approximately 1.5 pounds), varied surfaces, and balance pads.
Induces instability to challenge postural muscles and improve stability.

Massage

Falls under physiotherapy
Involves rubbing or kneading muscles to improve circulation and relaxation.

Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

Non-invasive use of electric and magnetic fields.
Generated by a PEMF unit transmitted through inductive coils.
Directly impacts tissues.
Stimulates healing, increases circulation, decreases inflammation, and provides pain relief.

PEMF Considerations

Used as therapy to stimulate healing and decrease inflammation.
Achieved by increasing circulation and providing pain relief.
Blocks biochemical and physiologic pain pathways.
Evidence for wound and bone healing.
Can be part of a multi-modal pain management approach.

Personnel Contraindications

Pacemakers
Magnetisable prostheses
Wipe out credit cards
Empty pockets

Static Magnetic Field Therapy

Claim to increase circulation
Magnetic boots, blankets, pads
Applied magnetic force too weak to be effective.

Laser Therapy

Cold laser (Class-4 or low-level lasers) emit single wavelength, collimated light.
Penetrates tissue to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
Photobiomodulation stimulates increased cell activity for healing and regeneration.
Non-damaging light emitted.
Gentle pressure used on affected areas.

Laser Considerations

Tolerated well by patients
Eye safety imperative with some lasers
Gentle warming
Dark pigmented skin absorbs more light better

Shockwave Therapy

Primarily for orthopedic injuries.
High-pressure sound wave, no heat impact.
Travels through tissue based on impedance.
Beneficial for varying impedance sites (bone-ligament interfaces).

Shockwave Considerations

Well tolerated
Stimulates bone formation and remodeling
Treats tendon and ligament injuries
Commonly used in suspensory injuries.

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Description

Explore the role of alternative and integrative therapies in veterinary chiropractic care. This quiz covers various therapy techniques, their applications, and the exclusions in the treatment processes. Understand how these therapies can help in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and neurological injuries in animals.