08/07/2026
Story time 🐾💚
Jameson, an adorable 10-year-old Boston Terrier, was brought to me this week by his mama Megan and dad Christopher, and his human sister and brother, to see if I could help. (Thank you to Maryse for telling them about animal Chiropractic care and creating this possibility for them!) Jameson had a neck injury a month or so ago, and had seen the emergency vet and two other vets and had been given meds to help with the pain, but no solution to the structural issue that was causing the dysfunction that was showing up as pain and limitation to movement / adaptability.
Jameson came in with his head low, presumably because he couldn't lift it without pain. He had no "pep" in his step, and was moving pretty stiffly overall. We noticed that even with treats, he didn't want to turn his head to the right, which indicated a nasty vertebral subluxation. Megan also reported to me that Jameson's rear legs had been weak - to me, that's a sign of a vertebral subluxation in the lower neck spine (that has to do with the arrangement of motor nerve fibers in the spinal cord as it passes through that area). Jameson was super-antsy when I examined him, which I totally expect for a dog who'd stressed and uncomfortable, so we gave him time and space to understand that I was OK and that he was in an OK place, and that my version of "petting" him would help him to feel better.
Together we did a full assessment, watching how Jameson chose to move his body with several challenges (sit, lay, turn, gait observation, etc) to let him "tell" us where things were not working well. Let's just say he was pretty clear about it! In a sweet, friendly way.
I think the most remarkable part of his visit was when I delivered a corrective adjustment to his lower neck (C6/7) from the right, with my hand, gently, in keeping with the bony structure and biomechanics of the canine cervicothoracic junction. No pops, no cracks (the noises that often accompany human adjustments are usually notably absent in animal adjusting - the "viral" tic toc videos where you see that German osteopath man-handling wide-eyed or whale-eyed big dogs and evoking "pops" are not only inaccurate and nonspecific, it's not Chiropractic care at all, that's a gross spinal manipulation, which you probably don't want for your baby? Just sayin') Anyhoo. Jameson's response to the gentle adjustment that could NOT be "heard" was............ He melted. His whole body relaxed. It was so neat to watch. It was like I had just removed the thorn from the lion's paw.
Sometimes the best "proof" of the efficacy of a chiropractic adjustment is the outcome. You know, the proof is in the pudding!
After his adjustment, we walked Jameson out front of the building, and his demeanor had TOTALLY changed - he had bounce in his step, held his head neutral, was moving his neck to look around, and then ...he starting p*eing on all the bushes he could find. That's when Megan kind of laughed and remarked to me that he had been unable to p*e like that for a month, because of the weakness (of motor and balance control) in his legs.
Restored, with a gentle and specific adjustment.
While drugs can be helpful to keep our dogs more comfortable, a chemical intervention does not solve a structural problem. Only an structural intervention can do that.
Megan reported to me by text the next day that his legs were stronger, he had not needed to take a rest going up the stairs. I'm waiting to hear what the 2-day post-adjustment report holds, hoping it's continued progress! Healing takes time, and the Chiropractic adjustment helps to restore the opportunity to undertake that process.
It's such and honor to be able to deliver this form of care for the well-being of our fur-babies (mine too!).
What else is possible for your dog, or cat? (Ask Bernie the Cat what he thinks is possible, he might tell you!)
And remember, the placebo effect is not possible with dogs ;)
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*shared with Megan's permission
