Front Matter

560 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

of Health, 2013). One report states that for
treatment of low back pain “some people ben-
efit from chiropractic therapy or acupunc-
ture” (Goodman et al., 2013). Another report
summarized evidence regarding the effec-
tiveness of spinal manipulation/mobilization
in human adults for managing a variety of
both musculoskeletal and non-musculoskele-
tal conditions, finding that spinal manipula-
tion/mobilization was effective for treating
or managing low back pain that is acute,
subacute, and chronic in nature, migraine
headache, cervicogenic headache, and dizzi-
ness (Bronfort et al., 2010). Thoracic manipula-
tion/mobilization was shown to be effective
for acute and subacute neck pain. In addition,
it was reported that manipulation/mobiliza-

tion was effective for several extremity joint

conditions (Bronfort et al., 2010).

Spinal manipulative therapy/animal chiro-

practic is used to help treat conditions such

as lameness, paresis, pain, sports injuries,

temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and

incontinence.

As discussed in Chapter 18, incontinence can

be a primary reason for euthanasia of geriatric

dogs (American Humane Association, 2016).

One of the top five reasons for inappropriate

fecal elimination and house soiling in geriatric

patients is an underlying orthopedic condition

that may prevent the dog from posturing cor-

rectly, or causes pain when the dog tries to def-

ecate (Rudinsky, 2016). Manipulative therapy

can be used to help improve mobility and

1. Z joints become hypomobile
   for a variety of reasons


2. Hypomobility results in degenerative
   changes and adhesions of the Z joints


3. Adjusting gaps the joints

Paths NOT mutually exclusive

(steps 1 and 2 may not be necessary

for neurophysiological effects)

4a. Gapping/movement stimulates

mechanoreceptors in either the

Z joint capsule and/or

small muscles of the spine

5a. Afferents to spinal cord and higher

centers decrease pain and

influence somatic and/or visceral

efferents, improving function

5b. Increased joint motion to normal

ranges slows (or reverses)

degenerative changes

4b. Gapping breaks up adhesions

and restablishes joint motion

a. Neurophysiological effects b. Anatomic/biomechanical effects

Figure 22.11 Manipulative therapy can be used to control or dampen pain via the neurophysiological effects of an
adjustment stimulating mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule and small muscles of the spine thus sending afferent
signals to the spinal cord and higher centers.