Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT)
Dr Shana Halfon has successfully completed the Canadian Animal Chiropractic/Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Certification Program via the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center as of March 2016 and is also a member of the College of Animal Chiropractors. The curriculum consists of a minimum of 220+ hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction over the course of 5, 5 day modules. This program is approved by both the College of Animal Chiropractors (CoAC) and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA). With successful completion of the program, Dr Halfon is a certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapist (VSMT). **Please note, veterinarians legally cannot use the term chiropractics or chiropractor, only licensed human chiropractors can use these terms**
VSMT: This is a field of animal health care that focuses on the preservation and health of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. It is considered a natural approach to the care and prevention of disease in pets. Anything adversely affecting the nervous system will have detrimental effects that will resonate throughout the entire body. The command centers of the nervous system are the brain and spinal cord which are protected by the spine. The spine is a complex framework of bones (vertebra), ligaments, muscles and nerves. If the movement and biomechanics of the vertebra become dysfunctional, they can interfere with the performance of the nerves that are branching off of the spinal cord and going to the all of the muscles and organs. As this occurs, your animal can lose normal mobility; resulting in stiffness, tension, pain and even organ dysfunction. Additionally, when normal movement is affected, and left unattended, it will ultimately impact your animal’s entire well being and quality of life.
*VSMT is NOT intended to assume the primary health care responsibility of animals or replace traditional veterinary medicine*
Who can benefit from this therapy: Dog and cats can be treated of any shape or size! Puppies and kittens can benefit from VSMT right from birth onwards. Adult animals can also benefit to help with any musculoskeletal pain or just to maintain range of motion and posture and reduce the incidence of future complications. Of course, seniors can benefit to restore mobility and nerve function!
Visits: Visits consist of an initial evaluation which includes a detailed case history, prior x-rays, laboratory analysis and previous diagnoses as well as a full physical and neurological examination of the animal prior to treatment. The first exam is approximately 1 hour and includes posture assessment, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static and motion palpation. Following the evaluation, we will determine which adjustments your animal may require. Treatment is gentle and involves a high force, low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint, helping to restore normal movement.
Response to adjustments can be anywhere from immediate improvement but up to 72 hours after. Results depend on age, severity of restricted motion etc. A follow up adjustment may be required in 1-2 weeks. Typically, a minimum of 3 adjustments are needed to see a change. Once improvement is noted, follow up treatments may be spread out further. For optimal health, maintenance treatments are recommended anywhere from 1 time a month to once every 6 weeks. Follow up treatments vary between 15 and 20 minutes. It is important to note that it can take several months to build up your pets strength and range or motion just as it would for a person.
The adjustments may come with some discomfort initially but generally have little or no pain and most pets enjoy the experience! Sometimes after the adjustment the animal can be sore. After the adjustment, the animal should have the remainder of the day to rest but also to engage in low impact activities (ie leash walks). If performed correctly and with proper training VSMT is safe and effective in treating your animal.
Is a referral required? Referrals from clients of other veterinary clinics are welcome. You do not need to be a veterinary patient of ours to have this therapy performed. It is important to note that should you be referred to us for VSMT, that we are not your primary care physician/veterinarian and thus will not act as such. Progress reports will be sent to your regular veterinarian so that both parties can remain up to date with a pets progression.
New Client Forms
VSMT: This is a field of animal health care that focuses on the preservation and health of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. It is considered a natural approach to the care and prevention of disease in pets. Anything adversely affecting the nervous system will have detrimental effects that will resonate throughout the entire body. The command centers of the nervous system are the brain and spinal cord which are protected by the spine. The spine is a complex framework of bones (vertebra), ligaments, muscles and nerves. If the movement and biomechanics of the vertebra become dysfunctional, they can interfere with the performance of the nerves that are branching off of the spinal cord and going to the all of the muscles and organs. As this occurs, your animal can lose normal mobility; resulting in stiffness, tension, pain and even organ dysfunction. Additionally, when normal movement is affected, and left unattended, it will ultimately impact your animal’s entire well being and quality of life.
*VSMT is NOT intended to assume the primary health care responsibility of animals or replace traditional veterinary medicine*
Who can benefit from this therapy: Dog and cats can be treated of any shape or size! Puppies and kittens can benefit from VSMT right from birth onwards. Adult animals can also benefit to help with any musculoskeletal pain or just to maintain range of motion and posture and reduce the incidence of future complications. Of course, seniors can benefit to restore mobility and nerve function!
Visits: Visits consist of an initial evaluation which includes a detailed case history, prior x-rays, laboratory analysis and previous diagnoses as well as a full physical and neurological examination of the animal prior to treatment. The first exam is approximately 1 hour and includes posture assessment, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static and motion palpation. Following the evaluation, we will determine which adjustments your animal may require. Treatment is gentle and involves a high force, low amplitude thrust specific to the anatomy of the joint, helping to restore normal movement.
Response to adjustments can be anywhere from immediate improvement but up to 72 hours after. Results depend on age, severity of restricted motion etc. A follow up adjustment may be required in 1-2 weeks. Typically, a minimum of 3 adjustments are needed to see a change. Once improvement is noted, follow up treatments may be spread out further. For optimal health, maintenance treatments are recommended anywhere from 1 time a month to once every 6 weeks. Follow up treatments vary between 15 and 20 minutes. It is important to note that it can take several months to build up your pets strength and range or motion just as it would for a person.
The adjustments may come with some discomfort initially but generally have little or no pain and most pets enjoy the experience! Sometimes after the adjustment the animal can be sore. After the adjustment, the animal should have the remainder of the day to rest but also to engage in low impact activities (ie leash walks). If performed correctly and with proper training VSMT is safe and effective in treating your animal.
Is a referral required? Referrals from clients of other veterinary clinics are welcome. You do not need to be a veterinary patient of ours to have this therapy performed. It is important to note that should you be referred to us for VSMT, that we are not your primary care physician/veterinarian and thus will not act as such. Progress reports will be sent to your regular veterinarian so that both parties can remain up to date with a pets progression.
New Client Forms
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