Frequently Asked Questions

Animal chiropractic is a form of alternative therapy that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in animals, primarily through the manual manipulation of the spine and joints.

No. I've heard people say "Oh, my "groomer (or insert whomever you like)" adjusted their neck before" or something along those lines or even an untrained chiropractor or vet; the problem with this way of thinking is animal chiropractic and the animal's spine are quite different than their human counterparts. It takes a very special understanding of what and when to treat the animal. The untrained Vet may understand the animal spine and nervous system but may not understand how to find and correct misalignments in the joints and spine. While the untrained Chiropractor understands the nervous system, and how to find and correct the misalignments, they don't understand the biomechanical differences of the animal spine. Then there are those non-professional (those with no formal medical/veterinary training) that attempt to adjust the animal, although their intentions may good, can cause significant harm. 

This is why it's important to seek out a practitioner who has graduated from an accredited Animal Chiropractic College (to do this they must first be a licensed Chiropractor or Veterinarian) and is certified by a 3rd party agency such as the International  Veterinary Chiropractic Association or the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Animal chiropractic works by restoring proper alignment and movement to the spine and joints and removes interference from the nervous system which helps to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall health and well-being in animals.

Any vertebrate animal, including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and many exotic animals including birds, alpacas, and reptiles can benefit from chiropractic care.

Some of the signs your animal may benefit from chiropractic care include limping, difficulty rising or standing, reluctance to move, stiffness, decreased performance, changes in behavior, and sensitivity to touch.

When performed by a qualified animal chiropractor, chiropractic is safe for animals. However it is essential that the practitioner be a licensed chiropractor or veterinarian who has successfully completed a specialized education program in animal chiropractic from an accredited institution.

Unlike their human counterparts, animals typically require less treatment. The number of treatments needed depends on the severity of the animal's condition and conformation, its response to treatment, and its overall health. Some animals only require a few treatments, while others may benefit from ongoing maintenance care.  At Liberty Creek Equine we will treat your animal no less than is needed, but no more than is wanted.

No. Chiropractic care is complimentary to your traditional veterinary care and should not be used as a substitute for proper veterinary care. Working with a qualified animal chiropractor and your veterinarian ensures the best possible outcome for your animal.

While animal chiropractic is generally safe, as with any medical or therapeutic procedure there may be some risks, especially when performed by an unqualified practitioner or if the animal has certain underlying health conditions. Risks may include exacerbation of existing conditions or injury due to untrained persons performing the procedure.

No, Liberty Creek Equine is 100% ambulatory meaning we will come to your home or barn.

Liberty Creek Equine services all of Middle Tennessee. There may be a small additional  (barn call) fee for areas more than an hour from Nashville. However, if there are multiple animals scheduled at the same location we are happy to reduce or even waive that fee.