| Spinal manipulative therapy And healing animals by Lyrea Crawford Her hands move gently and thoroughly over the dog's spine -- feeling and sensing the bony structure underneath. She makes a light, barely perceptible motion in the area of the sacrum, and then another further up the spine. After a final check around the neck and shoulder area, Dr. Jan Schilling is satisfied. The work she has done is aptly called Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy, and she is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Dr. Schilling is also a trained animal acupuncturist and uses this combination of skills to treat a variety of mobility and health problems in the animals she sees. As a rural veterinarian, this includes dogs, cats, horses, cattle and even a few wildlife cases. She comments that acupuncture points are very different in birds than in mammals! Dr. Schilling received her training in Animal Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine from a veterinarian from China at the Chi Institute in Galesville, Fla. Dr. Schilling explains that there are two systems of animal acupuncture points used in this country, and she feels fortunate that her training included both of these. Transpositional points are most commonly used in the U.S. These points were determined by adapting human points for animals. The other system uses the traditional animal points from China. Dr. Schilling includes the tongue and pulse diagnostic techniques of Chinese Medicine in her assessment of an animal's condition. She also lets her hands tell her where the tension and sore spots are in an animal's body. Her choice of treatment modality depends upon the specific situation, but often she begins with acupuncture. It is quite useful for internal problems. She recently did a series of acupuncture treatments on a cow with atrial fibrillation. The cow's appetite and attitude improved in just a few days. In a few weeks, the heart condition had become more normal. In the case of mobility restrictions, she finds that much of what needs to be adjusted can happen quite easily by first changing the body's energy flow through acupuncture. Most animals tolerate the treatment well and don't seem to object. Some dogs even come in for multiple treatments with their tails wagging! Over time, Dr. Schilling has developed her own unique way of working with the animals she sees. She performs the Spinal Manipulative Therapy work very slowly, often using only light pressure to free musculoskeletal restrictions. Her approach is less forceful than what people usually experience in chiropractic adjustments. She explains that the closest human treatment is probably the Logan Basic technique, which moves bones in a gentle fashion through contact with the sacrotuberous ligament. Similar adjustments can be done in animals, throughout the body. Vertebrae and other bones are not "put into place" but are gently freed and allowed to assume their normal positions. A series of adjustments may be necessary until the animal's body relearns where normal is. Dr. Schilling sees that Spinal Manipulative Therapy often relieves impingements on the nerves or spinal cord that impair their function and the function of the organs they innervate. She notes that after their treatments, older dogs get up and down more easily. Treatment may improve behavioral situations where an animal is grumpy because it is in pain. Elimination and other chronic problems may improve. Many veterinarians are now being trained in these techniques. Dr. Schilling suggests that people can learn more about animal acupuncture at www.chi-institute.com. To locate an animal acupuncturist, go to www.ivas.org. A list of certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapists may be found at www.avcadoctors.com. Dr. Schilling practices in the Viroqua/Hillsboro area of Southwestern Wisconsin, and may be contacted at (608) 625-4024. Lyrea Crawford lives in Southwestern Wisconsin, where she plays at being an artist, author, organic farmer and much more. She was formerly a co-publisher of "Living Light Melodies Journal." Copyright (c) 2002 Lyrea Crawford |
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