Veterinary Medical Manipulation
Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice provides personalized care for senior pets in the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, & beyond). Our doctors focus on using integrative medicine modalities to improve quality of life for pets in the comfort of your own home.
Through our veterinary medical manipulation (animal chiropractic) services, Dr. Sharon Cubelo, DVM, CCRP, CVA, CVMMP will provide education about your pet’s musculoskeletal system, their aging or disease process, and how to maximize their mobility and comfort. Animal chiropractors care is a natural, holistic approach to identifying any dysfunction in the vertebrae and joints to minimize the stress caused to the body. Dr. Cubelo completed her Certification in Veterinary Medical Manipulation in 2020 through the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute.
Chiropractic care can be of benefit in many common conditions:
- Lameness (limping)
- Back and neck pain
- Decrease performance or mobility
- Chronic musculoskeletal problems such as sacroiliac disease, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and arthritis
- Intervertebral disc disease (slipped discs)
- Sports Injuries
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Nerve pain (Sciatica, etc…)
- Geriatric animals – to help maintain function and mobility
Our mobile services avoid the stress of traditional veterinary visits and provide a family-oriented approach to palliative care. If you feel your pet may be a candidate for animal chiropractic care, please contact us.
Dr. Sharon Cubelo is a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner. She uses animal chiropractic care to help pets remain as active and healthy as possible throughout their lives.
Why are there a few different names for chiropractic care in animals?
Depending on your state regulations, many veterinarians are not allowed to use the term “chiropractic” as this is limited to use for human Doctors of Chiropractic. Veterinarians obtain their post-doctoral certification in Veterinary Medical Manipulation to be able to perform similar manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints. You may see chiropractic care referred to as “medical manipulation,” “adjustments,” or “spinal manipulation” in many places. Similarly, many states do allow human chiropractors to adjust animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. Make sure you ask about the credentials of those performing treatments on your pet so you know exactly what to expect
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
When performed by a trained and certified veterinary practitioner, spinal manipulations are very safe. Side effects are rare and are typically limited to short-term discomfort for the first 24-48 hours after adjustment
How long do treatments take?
After the initial assessment visit, each adjustment likely takes anywhere from 10-20 minutes.
How many treatments are needed to see improvement?
The number and spacing of treatments needed depend on the disease process, the severity of clinical signs, and the duration of the problem. For an acute injury, 1-2 treatments may be enough. For more chronic issues, we recommend 3 or more sessions to get a feel for maximum improvement.
Is animal chiropractic care recommended for general health?
Yes! Chiropractic care can be a wonderful part of general health care and preventative medicine. These adjustments are recommended every 1-3 months to aid in the prevention of injuries and disease.
Is animal chiropractic care beneficial for pet athletes?
High-performance animals can especially benefit from routine chiropractic care. This includes police and military working dogs as well as family pets that compete in agility, fly-ball, dock diving, and other competitive sports. These animals typically benefit from treatments every 2-4 weeks while competing.
What are some signs that my pet might need chiropractic care?
- Abnormal gait or lameness (limping)
- Abnormal posture
- Reduced performance
- Sitting to one side or reluctance to sit or lay down
- Reluctance to move, jump, or climb the stairs
- Decreased flexibility and limited range of motion
- Muscle spasms
- Pain during certain movements (sitting or rising to stand)
- Discomfort when being groomed or petted
- Recurrent digestive problems or incontinence
- Neck or back pain
- Recurrent infections or inflammatory conditions
- Lick granulomas
Can my pet have chiropractic care with other therapies (like acupuncture)?
es! Chiropractic care can be a wonderful addition to Western medicine as well as many of our integrative therapies. Acupuncture, massage, physical rehabilitation, and herbal therapies can all be used with chiropractic care to help give excellent health benefits.
What is Integrative Medicine?
Our team recognizes and appreciates the comfort, safety, and security of the home environment in end of life care for pets and we strive to be exemplary leaders in palliative and hospice nursing care for dogs and cats. This comfort care bridges the humane transition from diagnosis of a terminal condition to euthanasia, and encompasses the physical, emotional, and social needs of the pet, as well as the goals, philosophies, and capabilities of the owner, including support for the grieving process.
To achieve this, we have a collaborative team of dedicated, compassionate, and professional veterinarians and support staff to bring palliative and hospice nursing care to your pet’s end of life care needs.