A Proactive Approach to Care by Farmhouse Chiropractic
By Dr. Jillian Johnson, DC, AVCA, Farmhouse Chiropractic:
Proactive chiropractic and holistic care is essential for all dogs, especially those involved in canine competition. Optimizing performance through proper spinal alignment and muscle function alleviates excess stress on the joints preventing accelerated degeneration and injury. Adapting a proactive approach to canine health can help identify small issues before they manifest into larger ones.
Instinctually dogs are amazing adapters. Being on four legs gives them the superpower of creating quick compensation patterns to adapt to the current need.These compensation patterns can be extremely subtle and may go unrecognized for some time, making it crucial to have them checked by a qualified professional.
For example, in the conformation ring exhibitors run in a left hand circle, often on hard ground. This puts excess wear and tear on the right hind and opposite front. Without proactive care an improper mechanical pattern may arise. If left unaddressed the pattern may continue to manifest to include a tight low back, shortened stride/lack of drive, decreased mobility of the front left, and accelerated degeneration of the involved joints. This can lead to arthritis, decreased longevity, and injury. Can you see how the smallest issue can snowball quickly?
Consider how often we take a misstep, experience stiffness from a long trip in the car, or even sleep wrong. We have the opportunity to reach for relief, the cognitive ability to rest, and to voice our discomfort. A dog’s drive, master ability to compensate, and lack of ability to reach for their own care make it important for us as responsible handlers to objectively assess how our canine companions are at the present time.
At Farmhouse Chiropractic we emphasize the importance of stretching as one of the means to empower handlers to stay in tune with their dog’s body and movement patterns. By supporting them with stretches, a proper warm up and cool down, and adopting a proactive routine to care, we are establishing a means to communicate and check in on our dogs.
In summary, embracing a proactive approach that includes regular monitoring, stretching, and holistic care can significantly enhance your dog’s health, optimize performance, and increase longevity. This approach not only prevents minor issues from developing into major problems, but also supports overall well-being, helping your canine stay agile, and comfortable in their pursuits.
Learn more about Farmhouse Chiropractic, which is onsite at World Equestrian Center – Ocala:
http://www.farmhousechiropractic.com/our-services.html
