558 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Chiropractic evaluation and treatment
As with any examination, a thorough history,
including the physical activities of the patient
and the client’s goals should be taken. Observing
the patient’s posture and stance (Figure 22.8),
and watching the patient move and transition
between positions (e.g., between sitting and
standing) gives the therapist important clues as
to the mobility of the patient and potential dif-
ficulties and compensations. Video recordings
of the patient in motion (such as during a sport-
ing event or while the patient moves around the
home), viewed in slow motion may reveal sub-
tle gait and body position changes that would
otherwise go undetected.
A thorough hands-on evaluation of the
patient follows. The manipulative therapist uses
two types of palpation skills, static palpation
and motion palpation. In static palpation, the
soft tissue and bony structures are manually
assessed for texture, quality, alignment, heat,
swelling, tenderness, and symmetry. Motion
palpation, performed after static palpation,
assesses the movement of each motion segment
for quality of motion and symmetry (Gatterman,
2005) (Figure 22.9). Motion palpation is per-
formed on the entire patient unless severe pain
or discomfort is revealed, prompting the thera-
pist to seek additional diagnostics.
The therapist should understand normal
joint biomechanics to properly perform motion(A) (B)Figure 22.8 (A) Normal posture. Note the squarely placed limbs, level topline, and smooth muscle outlines in this dog.
(B) Abnormal posture. This geriatric canine has pelvic limbs held forward under her body and a slightly kyphotic
topline. There is also some loss of the secondary curvature in the lower cervical spine, resulting in low head carriage.
Treatment: VSMT adjustments performed to address
VSMT hypomobilities/restrictions: left TMJ and TMJ trac-
tion, atlas (C1) dorsal and right, 6th cervical vertebra
body left, 13th thoracic vertebra dorsal and left, 4th lum-
bar vertebra dorsal and left, left 9th rib dorsal. Additional
treatment of the iliopsoas and left shoulder muscles,
such as laser, massage therapy, and therapeutic exercises
indicated if discomfort not resolved post-VSMT.Results: Restriction in scapular extension, tenderness
on iliopsoas stretch, and paraspinal muscle palpation
were resolved following VSMT adjustments.Plan: Avoid rigorous activity for 2 days before return-
ing to closely monitored training. Discontinue activity
if symptoms, including gait changes, return. Recheck
recommended 1 week later. If symptoms do notresolve or if they return, recommend additional diag-
nostics, including possible vertebral radiographs and
ultrasound examination of the iliopsoas muscle.Follow-up: Patient returned to normal activity 3 days
following the VSMT adjustments. A video revealed
that the patient’s gait was normal. One week later, a
follow-up chiropractic/VSMT exam was performed
and no major restrictions were found. The patient has
maintained problem-free activity, and receives VSMT
therapy every 4–6 weeks.Comment: Appropriate VSMT evaluation of canine
athletes can detect hypomobilities before they lead
to clinical abnormality and/or lameness, and
thereby help an animal to maintain its best functional
potential.