September-October201.. - Dogs Naturally Magazine

y: Caroline Bartley, B.S., D.C., CVCPCold Laser (low level laser therapy-LLLT)and VOM gave Shadow, my black lab,three additional years of quality lifewithout drugs after he had been diagnosed with degenerativemyelopathy (spinal cord injury from trauma.)The first sign of a problem was Shadow’s refusal to jump into theback of our SUV even though he obviously wanted to go for aride. He then started stumbling when he walked. Never wasthere a change in his affection or love of life to indicate pain. Yetwith these changes, we made a trip to our vet. The diagnosis/prognosis was devastating. The veterinarian said the initial causewas probably a sprain/strained low back. The vet determinedShadow had approximately 3 months before becoming paralyzed.As a human chiropractor, I felt there had to be more than drugsand a short life of pain for Shadow. That’s when I became a VOM(Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation) and Cold Laser practitionerfor animals and have been witnessing extraordinary healing since.What is V.O.M.? It is NOT manual adjusting. It is an effective,drug-free way to restore joint mobility and normal nerve communication.VOM is a method of treatment with a high success rateof over 90% to manage back, disc injuries, etc. A treatmentschedule is specialized for each patient and usually consists of fiveto seven treatments over a month.Long-standing spinal problems can become visible years after theinitial injury causing bone changes seen on x-rays. These changesindicate inflammation and pain. VOM reveals these problemslong before they become evident on x-rays and corrects or treatsthem. Often when the spine cannot move, this problem generatespain and shuts down or reduces the nerve’s communication.Even this slight impingement on the spinal cord or the nerve rootsaffects the organs of our dogs that these nerves supply. For example,reduced function of nerve supply to the colon could resultin irritable bowel syndrome.Primarily, VOM is used to treat spinal disorders such as degenerativemyelopathy (like Shadow’s), Wobbler’s disease (instabilitybetween several adjacent neck vertebrae), hip dysplasia, and discdisease. It is also effective in addressing visceral diseases, such asthyroid disease, as well as performance and behavioral problems.The potential to prevent these conditions as well as treat them isthe most exciting aspect of VOM.What is Cold Laser therapy? In the world of humans, Cold Laser isutilized in treating 95% of my patients. I use an FDA approvedclass III laser. These do not generate heat, therefore, do notcause cellular damage. Cold Laser therapy does result in the restorationof normal cell function and enhances the body’s healingprocesses without adversely affecting normally functioning cells.In addition to the short and long term effects of pain reductionand healing, Cold Laser stimulates the immune response and improveslymphatic drainage.Some conditions/diseases treated by VOM and Cold Laser include: Lameness Progressive Myelopathies (“down in rear”) Hip Dysplasia-like symptoms Narrowing Discs and other Disc Related Disease GI Disorders Agility Dysfunction Urinary and Fecal Incontinence Tendonitis and Bursitis Osteoarthritis Wasting Disease Dermal UlcersBy combining the 91-93% success rate of VOM and the healingeffects of Cold Laser therapy, we are providing our canine companionswith: low cost, effective, non-invasive adjunctive treatment ofdiagnosed conditions; alternative to surgery (minimizing risk to older dogs); preventative health care; and a more healthy, pain-free and longer life. Dr. Caroline Bartley, B.S.,D.C.,CVCP, is a graduate of Parker College ofChiropractic. She has been practicing in the Denver Metro area since1998 and practicing Animal Chiropractic since 2002. She is 1 of 4 doctorsin the State of Colorado who is state licensed in an approved chiropractictechnique for dogs and horses. Her office is open three days a week fordogs and also does house calls. For more information on her pets andpeople practice go to: www.dogchiro.comor www.activehealthdenver.comDogs...Naturally! September/October 2010