Chiropractic & Manual Therapy

Animal chiropractic care and manual therapy focus on treating misalignments and restrictions in a pet's musculoskeletal system that can cause pain, mobility issues, and other health problems. Techniques like chiropractic adjustments, massage, stretching, passive range of motion, and joint mobilization help restore normal function, mobility, and provide significant pain relief.

Watch Dr. John perform chiropractic adjustments on Dallas.

Benefits of Chiropractic and Manual therapy:

  • Increase blood flow/circulation

  • Increase elasticity of muscles

  • Decrease scar adhesion

  • Pre or post workout warm up or cool down

  • Maintain or restore range of motion of joints

  • Nerve stimulation for proprioception or to decrease pain

  • Maintain or restore muscle flexibility

  • Decrease pain

  • Increase mobility

  • Balance neurologic function

  • Improve performance. 

Chiropractic adjustments can be performed safely on all species and a variety of sizes of animals.  Animal chiropractic is a drug free way to help improve your pet’s mobility and quality of life.  

dr john performs a chiropractic adjustment on a black pitbull mix, the dog is looking at dr. john and Dr. John is adjusting the dogs back

Chiropractic FAQs

  • Yes, chiropractic care is very safe for pets when performed by a chiropractor specifically trained to perform chiropractic adjustments on animals. Only gentle, tailored techniques are used to improve mobility and function.

  • Chiropractic care can help pets with back pain, joint/mobility issues, osteoarthritis, injuries, posture problems, neurological disorders, and more. It reduces pain and inflammation and helps to restore normal function in the body.

  • The trained animal chiropractor does a thorough orthopedic and neurological assessment to customize therapy to your pet’s specific needs. Adjustments are then made to affected joints and muscles to encourage healing and normal movement.

  • You can bring your pet to Florida Veterinary Rehabilitation for a chiropractic evaluation without a referral. We will communicate with your primary or specialty vet on the treatment plan.

  • If your pet shows signs of discomfort, such as limping, difficulty getting up or down, stiffness, decreased activity, or postural changes, they may benefit from chiropractic care. Additionally, pets with chronic conditions like arthritis or working/sport animals can also benefit from regular chiropractic check-ups.

  • Chiropractic care should complement, not replace, traditional veterinary treatment. Our veterinarians and chiropractor work collaboratively with referring veterinarians to provide comprehensive care for your pet's well-being.

  • Dr. John attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, FL where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic medicine degree. He received his certification in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) in 2013. He has undergone rigorous education and has extensive experience in treating various animals.

  • The frequency of chiropractic care for your pet depends on their individual needs and condition. Initially, your pet may require more frequent visits, and as they progress, the frequency may be reduced to maintenance visits. Our chiropractor in collaboration with our rehab veterinarians will create a personalized treatment plan for your pet's specific requirements.

Dr Badge a rehab vet performs dog massage on a malinois as a part of his canine PT program

Manual Therapy / Massage FAQs

  • Animal/Veterinary manual therapy, or massage, is a kind of therapy where experts gently manipulate muscles and tissues in pets to help them heal, reduce pain, and move better by improving range of motion and flexibility.

  • Pet massage has several advantages, including pain relief, better blood flow, relaxed muscles, improved movement, faster healing, and reduced stress.

  • Animal massage can help with the following:

    • soft tissue or muscle injuries like sprains and strains

    • dogs and cats recovering from surgery

    • arthritis

    • nerve and neurological problems

    • long-lasting or chronic pain

    • difficulty moving due to decreased flexibility

  • Massage therapy in veterinary rehab should be done by a veterinarian or veterinary rehab therapist who has had advanced training or certifications in pet massage techniques.

    Our veterinarians and therapists go through advanced training in animal massage techniques. Learn more by visiting our Team page!

  • Pet massage can be used on its own, but it's usually part of a complete rehab plan that might include other things like water therapy, exercises, and laser treatments.

  • Yes, you can learn basic massage techniques for your pet's well-being. However, it's crucial to receive proper training and guidance from a certified professional to ensure you're doing it correctly and safely.

    During your consultation and treatment plan, our veterinarians and therapists will guide you on how to perform safe massage and stretching techniques on your dog or cat at home.

  • Passive range of motion refers to the therapeutic technique of gently moving a pet's joints through their full range of motion without any active effort from the animal. Range of motion can be done as assessment of joint mobility during an evaluation or as therapy to help improve joint range of motion.

  • Passive range of motion exercises offer numerous advantages for pets undergoing veterinary rehabilitation.

    These exercises aid in preserving joint flexibility, averting stiffness and contractures, enhancing circulation, minimizing muscle atrophy, and facilitating the healing process following surgery or injury.

    By incorporating these exercises into your pet's routine, you can effectively boost or sustain their mobility as they age or recover from surgery or injury.

  • Yes, similar to massage techniques, pet owners can be trained by a veterinary professional or a certified rehabilitation therapist to perform passive range of motion exercises at home under their guidance.

    Our rehab certified veterinarians and therapists will show you have to perform these therapies on your pet at home during their therapy plan.