Chiropractic Care for Animals
Chiropractic care has been provided to humans in the United States for over a century.  Recently, the demand for chiropractic care for animals has increased.  Any animal with a nervous system and a spinal column with vertebral joints may benefit from chiropractic care as humans do.  The necessity of maintaining proper joint motion and alignment in the spinal column is important for all vertebrates.

What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a system of health care that focuses on the integrity of the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to the nervous system.  Chiropractors believe that the body (human or animal), has the inborn ability to maintain homeostasis and to heal itself ; and that this ability is most dependent on the proper functioning of the nervous system.
The many vertebra and joints of the spine provide support for the body, protection for the spinal cord, and allow flexibility and motion of the body.  Trauma, physical stress, overuse, or poor conformation can cause changes in the normal motion of the joints of the spine.  Abnormal motion of these joints can alter the function of the nervous system (which controls or coordinates all other organs and tissues in the body), through pressure from inflammation, chemical irritation or mechanical irritation.  Disturbances in spinal joint motion can cause changes in how the nervous system communicates back and forth with the tissues of the body, resulting in changes in the normal function of these tissues.

Does This Work for Animals?
Chiropractic care can be appropriate for your animal.  While there are obvious differences in anatomy and biomechanics between humans and animals, there are similarities in the structure, motion and function of the musculoskeletal systems; especially the spinal joints.  Changes in the normal motion of the joints of the spine (whether due to trauma, physical stress, overuse, or poor conformation), can affect the normal function of the nervous system which controls or coordinates all other tissues in the body.
Many veterinarians and trainers request chiropractic care for the relief of symptoms such as back pain or a lameness that cannot be isolated to the lower limb, however many people are starting to see the value of chiropractic care in the absence of obvious symptoms where the results can be seen as increased performance and well-being.

What Kind of Training Does an Animal Chiropractor Have?
The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) offers certification in animal chiropractic to licensed veterinarians or chiropractors.  The AVCA was founded in 1989 by a group of chiropractors and veterinarians with the purpose of establishing standards of education and practice in the field of chiropractic care for animals.  The AVCA provides the only formal course of training in animal chiropractic today.  The basic certification course includes 150 hours of education followed by a comprehensive written and practical examination. 

About Dr. Lisa Devlin 
Dr. Lisa Devlin is a Doctor of Chiropractic licensed in the state of California.  Her undergraduate education is in zoology and biochemistry.  She completed the certification course offered by the AVCA in 1998.  Dr. Devlin is not a veterinarian and does not have the training or license to practice as a primary care provider for animals.  Her services are available through veterinary referral only.

NOW AT WILDWOOD VETERINARY CLINIC IN SAN JOSE!  Dr. Devlin is currently seeing small animals at Wildwood Veterinary Clinic in San Jose on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 pm - 6 pm.