The spinal cord carries all the nerves that go to every organ in the body. These nerves exit the spinal column through areas between vertebrae, which are the individual spinal bones. Chiropractors believe that adequate nerve supply is vital to the proper functioning of the entire body. When the vertebral bones are misaligned even very slightly, they affect the nerves and the flow of nerve impulses. A chiropractic adjustment is aimed at correcting the subluxation and restoring the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Animals also have individual vertebral bones that subluxate and cause nerve pressure.
A subluxation is caused by trauma such as slips, falls and blows. The birthing process can lead to subluxations. As animals age, stresses naturally accumulate in their spine. Some animals that are used to carry loads, such as riding horses, will subluxate as a result of these forces on their backs. Dr. Marc L. Sommer Dr. Sommer is certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.