Neck pain in dogs - Dog Chiropractor Mass

Many dogs suffer from neck pain and the causes can vary. Some causes can be Vertebral Subluxations, Disc problems and infections. It is always a good idea to have your Vet also check your dog as well. Subluxations and Disc problems can be helped by chiropractic and along with rehab exercises, I have seen many dogs recover. Front leg issues usually occur with neck problems since the nerves for the front legs originate in the neck and if irritated will cause lameness issues.
Please Call me at 617-472-0661 or email me at indekchiro@conversent.com to find out more.
Dr Bruce

Horse lamness - horse chiropractor mass

Stall Calls with Dr. Bruce Indek: Your Horse's Knees

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

KneesYour horse’s knees are anatomically similar to your wrist. The bones of the knee are comprised of rows of bones titled the CARPELS. These same bones can be found in the human wrist. There exists a bone in the horse’s knee that is not found in our wrist called the ACCESSORY BONE. This bone is partly responsible for locking the knee on standing. When the horse starts to move and bends the knee [called flexion], the accessory bone should unlock the knee. In some cases this bone does not unlock fully and inhibits your horse from fully flexing his knee and shortening the stride. Many times in my chiropractic evaluation I find this bone “stuck” and a simple adjustment easily unlocks it. The picture above is a demonstration of evaluating the Carpel Bones and Knee.

There are no muscles below the knee but rather just bones, ligaments and tendons. You can think of the lower leg as a pulley and rope set up. The bones as fulcrums around which the tendons of the upper leg muscles attach and move those bones. There are long extensions of tendons to the hoof from above the knee so there is a lot of tension placed on these soft tissues. If there are any issues such as “stuck” joints in the leg then there can be an enormous stress placed on these tendons.

Many times the entire stress on the front legs starts in the rear of the horse and many owners are quick to blame the hocks or stifle. Well I have to tell you that yes the hock and stifle do get over stressed frequently, but many times the low back and pelvis are subluxated. This subluxated “stuck joint” will not allow the horse to engage his hind end efficiently and thus push off harder on the stifle and hock causing inflammation and pain. Yes it is important to treat this inflammation but you must address the entire cause of the stress and indeed it may be a chiropractic problem. Once this stress has had time to fester then the front legs alter their biomechanical {movement} function and the horse now has a front leg problem to contend with.

In summary you must take the whole horse into consideration and always ask yourself what caused this symptom and why did it occur. Treating the whole horse will help prevent future re-occurrence.

Dr. Bruce Indek has been in Chiropractic Practice since 1983. Graduated from National College of Chiropractic and has been treating riders and other athletes. Certified by the American Chiropractic Assoc Sports Council in Sports Injuries. Director of Chiropractic for the Boston Marathon. Graduate of Options for Animals Chiropractic College and Board Certified in Animal Chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Worked on the New England Dressage Spring and Fall Festival in Saugerties NY. Travels throughout the USA treating horses and riders from Dressage to Barrel Racing. On the Panel for Ask the Expert for Dressage Today, and Chronicle for the Horse online Articles. Contributing writer for the Pet Gazette in Eastern Massachusetts. Dr. Indek is a level one dressage rider as well.

Foals and Back Problems - Horse Chiropractor - New England

When a foal is born the curves of the neck start to develop during the first few months of life. If there is a difficult birth or even a normal birth, it is possible to have one of the vertebrae to be "stuck" in movement. This "stuck movement" is part of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex which affects nerves as well as muscles. This horse needs to have a chiropractic evaluation to be sure that normal developement will occur. All foals should have rountine chiropractic evaluation rather than waiting to see if the horse develops any problems later.

I call this preventitive care. Please contact me to have a foal check up.
Dr Bruce Indek Board Certified Animal Chiropractor 617-472-0661. I will travel to you.

Hip Dyplasia - Chiropractor for dog - massachusetts

Hip Dysplasia is very common among large breed dogs and now even small breeds. Hip dysplasia is literally a deformed head of the femur [ball of the femur that fits into the pelvic socket}. These dogs will have problems in the low back and neck as well as the front limbs. These problems come from the compensation process. Think about the entire process as a domino effect. Once you change the movement of the hip you will change the movement of these other areas and create problems.

Chiropractic can help minimize the compensation problems and keep your dog pain free.

Saddle fit and Back Problems - Horse Chiropractor Mass

Many times a saddle is too long for your horse and your body weight ends up on the horse's low back. This will cause the horse to buck and shift the saddle onto the withers. This shift will cause stress on the withers and the shoulder blade. Eventual atrophy of muscles within the shoulder will occur and your horse will have a bucking issue. All of this will cause subluxations within the spine and muscle tension. Chiropractic, massage and a saddle fit are imperative.

Contact me and I will give you some more info at Indekchiro@conversent.net.