Animal manipulation was first introduced by John McTimoney DC in the early nineteen seventies, the technique was refined by Hugh Corley DC (OSC) later in that decade. In the mid-nineteen eighties, animal treatment was further developed and expanded by Shelagh James-Hudson DC (WSC).

The McTimoney-Corley technique has been adapted to treat animals. Horses, for example, are much larger and normal methods applied to humans would have little affect on a horse. It is therefore, important to realise that, just because a therapist has trained to treat humans, it doesn't automatically follow that they have the skills to treat animals as well. Whilst human physiology also applies to animals in many ways, animals have different types of digestive systems, instincts, feeding requirements, behaviours, footwear, suffer from different diseases/ailments, walk on 4 legs and can't communicate like people.

Why do animals suffer from back problems?

Horses
It is no surprise that horses can very often suffer. For a start, it wasn't God's intention that they should carry humans around the planet! Whilst they are strong and capable of doing this, they have to contend with us being at a 90 degree angle on top of them, and very often frantically trying to remain in balance. We then ask them to jump for us, run races, work in collection and dance to music. Ill-fitting saddlery, injury through trauma, stress and over-exertion through performance, digestive upset, illness, joint problems, disease, bad shoeing and dentistry are also some other examples that can lead to back problems. The wearing of head collars can often cause neck injuries, especially if the head collar doesn't break (nylon) in a panic situation.

Dogs
Whilst dogs don't have riders to contend with, they can still suffer from back problems. Perhaps those more commonly affected are performance dogs e.g., dogs taking part in agility tests, racing or country sports. Performance dogs suffer from the same stresses, strains and trauma injuries that human athletes do. Wearing collars is a common factor in creating problems - intense pulling, getting the collar caught etc can cause misalignments of the neck vertebrae. If your dog is over-weight or unfit, he is also more likely to suffer from back problems, as his lack of muscle tone and skeletal frame will have the extra burden of weight to carry. Older dogs may suffer from arthritis for example, leading to gait abnormalities, which can eventually lead to a bad back. Dogs can also lie on bedding which doesn't provide them with enough support whilst sleeping - like humans their backs need good support to remain healthy.

Cats
Cats have very flexible spines, can jump and climb effectively, and also have an excellent, self-righting reflex that allows them to land properly in the event of a fall. (Cats really do appear to have nine lives!). Although the risk of them suffering from a bad back is likely to be less common than for horses and dogs, they can still be affected. Like dogs, some cats wear collars which, if caught up in fencing etc, can cause neck injuries. Getting involved in frequent fights can cause injury. The most common cause of structural/neurological problems is a vehicle accident. Also obesity, stress, illness and old age are other examples, which may lead to back and joint problems.