Acupuncture and chiropractic often require repeated treatments for best effect. Both methodologies work with the body, promoting improved energy, better alignment, and increased mobility. Acupuncture and chiropractic work step by step helping a person’s or an animal’s body return to a state of balance, releasing pain or other symptoms of injury or illness along the way. Like an entire course of antibiotic medication is required to help rid the body of a bacteria that’s invaded, an entire course of acupuncture or spinal adjustments is needed to reverse the effects of a traumatic injury, a degenerative condition, or a debilitating disease.
In the case of otherwise healthy animals who have experienced an acute injury – perhaps another dog slammed into them at the dog park, or the cat missed his jump from tree limb to window sill – a course of treatment can resolve the pain or lameness and restore the animal to its previous condition with little or no follow up once the course of treatment is complete.
In the case of older, chronically ill animals, or those with multiple injuries, a course of treatment may simply slow the progression of a disease or degeneration, allowing for less pain and better quality of life, while not curing the underlying condition completely. In these cases, the dog or cat will need some level of ongoing care to maintain their improved status.
Unlike medicine and surgery, which nobody wants unless they’re sick, conservative approaches to healthcare like acupuncture and chiropractic can offer benefits to the well person or animal. Adjustments and acupuncture can improve energy and digestion, enhance athletic performance, improve posture, gait, and top lines, catch small problems before they become big ones, and prevent or slow the development of degenerative conditions, such as arthritis. Like exercising, eating fresh vegetables, or taking a vitamin supplement, employing holistic methods of care for wellness and prevention is up to each individual and can be utilized as little or as much as suits one’s schedule, budget, and preferences.
When bringing your animal friend to see Dr. Kendra Pope for evaluation and treatment, expect a thorough assessment and a holistic treatment plan that, depending on your animal’s condition, may include several treatment sessions. The treatment plan will be designed to help your pet reach maximum improvement in minimum time.