Dog Agility, Training and Nutrition - Pet Chiropractor, Billings, Montana

Dog Agility competitions have become extremely popular and widely followed throughout the world. Dog agility courses are complex and the challenges increase as the level of competition advances. Agility dogs may be required to run, jump, climb, start and stop, and change direction suddenly. Because of these demands, these canine athletes require strength, endurance, speed and flexibility to ensure maximum performance. Appropriate and comprehensive training is fundamental. Training increases bone mass, red blood cell turnover, maximal oxygen consumption, reduces lactic acid production and reduces risk of injury. It is important to remember that the type of training appropriate and required for your pet will vary by age, breed, condition and type of event. Additionally, most dogs sleep for a good part of the day, and should not be expected to compete and perform on the weekends without appropriate conditioning. As with humans, an appropriate and high-quality nutrition protocol is paramount when considering any canine athletic competition. Protein is an essential part of the diet, and is particularly important for those dogs that are continually active for over 30 minutes. Diets high in protein would be most suitable for endurance training. Fats provide an extraordinary source of energy, and dogs can utilize this form of energy very easily and productively. However the appropriate amount of fat to feed your dog depends on the factors mentioned earlier. Other energy requirements and considerations include carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and, of course, water! Water is critically important for your agility dog. It is essential for thermoregulation, and should always be made available. Dogs maintain their body temperature by panting, and this increases their water requirements. The heat that is generated during agility competitions can limit stamina, affect performance and impact health. These are just some of the reminders to consider when preparing your dog athlete for agility. And don’t forget to see your animal chiropractor. A healthy and vibrant nervous system will resonate everywhere in the body! Have a comment? Join in, and Happy Training!

Pronation and Back Pain - Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Did you know that your back pain may be coming from your feet? That’s right, your FEET. There’s a direct relationship between structural balance and neurological function. Structural stress produces muscle imbalances, and this begins at the foundation…your feet. When you walk, your spine is supported by one leg at a time. Different surfaces affect the forces that are imposed on your leg and body, and every biomechanical imbalance is transmitted to the spine. Let’s look at the foot: There are 26 bones in each foot. There are also three arches; a medial or inner arch, a lateral or outer arch, and an arch that runs transversely under the metatarsals (just below the toes). The function of the arches is to absorb shock, support your weight, and propel the body during movement. When you stand, half of your weight should be distributed over the heel, and the other half over the ball of the foot and the toes. When you walk, the movement patterns you adopt during gait cycle can affect the leg, pelvis, spine and skull! Pronation (inward rolling of the foot) is a normal occurrence during foot ‘flat’ and is necessary for proper foot biomechanics. As we age, the ligaments and tendons supporting the foot weaken, and this causes the inner arch to drift inward. When you start to ‘over-pronate’, this results in internal rotation of your legs, pelvic tilt, postural compensation, shoulder rounding and forward head carriage. Over pronation also results in excessive shock transmission and pelvic unlevelling. This will affect your gait, your posture, and can result in significant back and neck pain! Improper stance and gait can prematurely wear down the knee and hip joints, as well as the spine itself. Some other consequences of over-pronation include leg pain, hip pain, plantar fasciitis, achilles’ tendonitis and even bunions. So don’t underestimate the power of your feet. If you think your pain may be associated with your feet, don’t delay. See your health care practitioner. Help is available! Have a comment? Join in.

Proper Saddle Fit - Horse/Equine Chiropractor in Billings, Montana

Saddle Fit is one of the most important considerations for any rider, anywhere. The purpose of the saddle is to distribute the weight of the rider evenly, provide a stable base, and to allow the horse to move independently from the rider. If a saddle is the wrong size, positioned incorrectly or defective, it can cause pain and even lameness. Signs of a poor-fitting saddle include head tossing, sores on the back, abnormal head carriage, difficulty changing leads, hair loss or white hairs along the withers under the saddle (indicating blood circulation being cut off), saddle avoidance or striking when saddled, bucking, swelling after removing the saddle and uneven sweat patterns. Over time, the horse’s efforts to compensate in an effort to maintain mobility and balance can result in muscle strain, pain, stumbling, abnormal gait patterns and even lameness! Poor saddle fit can result from improper placement, broken or worn trees, uneven panels and incorrect size of saddle to rider. When saddling your horse, here are some things to consider: First, place the saddle on the horse’s back without padding, put it forward on the withers and then slide it back to where it sits ‘at home’. Saddle should be fit with nothing underneath initially, then rechecked with the padding you’ll be using. There should be a 3-finger clearance between the pommel of the saddle and the withers. Points of the tree should be 2 inches behind the shoulder blade. Run you hand under the panels. Be sure there’s room under the stirrup bars to slide your hand. Check for ‘bridging’ or ‘rocking’, and be sure the saddle is level. Ensure a 3-finger space for gullet clearance. The weightbearing part of the saddle should not extend beyond the last rib. Re-check all systems with the padding on, and remember that good padding is essential. Additionally, know that multiple pads act to functionally narrow the tree, so use one good pad. These are only some of the variables involved in proper saddle fit, but they should get you started. Remember that saddle fit is not stable and not static. You need a rider in motion to accurately and comprehensively assess for proper saddle fit. Have questions? Recommendations? Post a comment, and join the conversation! See you next week!

The 'Transition Initiative' - Chiropractor in Billings Montana

There are some serious threats out there, and unless you’ve been spending most of your time in an underground bunker, or visiting Mars, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The environmental challenges we face as a result of climate change and the depletion of energy supply instigated by peak oil has come of age. Many individuals are turning a blind eye to the prospect of having no oil, or even to the prospect of a prohibitively expensive supply.

So, I’d like to tell you about a movement, an initiative, a call-to-action that’s sprouting up all across our planet. It’s called the Transition Initiative. Simply put, it’s a community-led process that develops projects in fields of energy, food, water, education, transportation, housing, etc. in an effort to respond to the global challenges of climate change, diminishing supplies of energy, and the economic impact that is destined to follow.

The Transition Initiative has been referred to as a ‘social experiment on a massive scale’. The concept was developed in large part by permaculture teacher Rob Hopkins at the Kinsale Further Education College in Ireland. A ‘Transition Town’ is a grassroots network of individuals who have joined forces to fortify their community against impending environmental and economic instability. Totnes, England was the first official town where the concept was adapted and expanded. There are now hundreds of communities worldwide, officially committed to a future ‘beyond fossil fuels’. The global aim of this project is to ‘raise awareness of sustainable living, and build local ecological resilience in the near future’.

Transition is a movement about communities joining forces, getting involved and standing together towards a durable and sustainable ‘low-carbon’ future. We now have a Transition group right here in Billings, Montana! Still in its formative months, we’ve been brainstorming, communicating, listening and gathering to bolster and secure our community. We’ve started by showing films at our local co-op, the Good Earth Market, highlighting the global crises.

There are many ways to learn about Transition. You can pick up a copy of Rob Hopkins’ book “The Transition Handbook” at your local co-op or Whole Foods. You can also go to the Transition Initiative website at www.transitionnetwork.org for more information.

We are living in a time of unprecedented change. Converging influences are brewing a ‘perfect storm’. We don’t have another minute.

The Transition Network provides a concise synopsis in their disclaimer:

           “If we wait for the governments, it’ll be too little, too late

            If we act as individuals, it’ll be too little

            But if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”

Global changes affect all of us, and local changes affect each of us. So step up, and get involved. And remember, ‘nothing about you, without you’. Quote by Jane Holl Lute

Dog Agility and the Importance of Animal Chiropractic - Animal Chiropractor in Billings, Montana

Is your dog an athlete? Is agility competition and training part of your life? Whether you’re a professional handler of a world class athlete or a weekend warrior, agility training can improve your dog’s condition, nurture communication, and promote health. Agility courses vary and can be complicated, whether it’s weave polls, teeter-totters, crossovers, tunnels or jumps. Training for these events require attention to every detail, and preparation strategies often include attention to diet, exercise and sleep patterns. An area often overlooked however, is the health of the nervous system. Animal chiropractors understand the importance of a healthy, functioning nervous system. A vital nervous system is central to the conditioning of your dog, as well as to performance outcome. Chiropractic care for your pet will facilitate a healthier, stronger and more resilient animal. Chiropractic can help restore function and mobility, and improve muscle tone and endurance. It increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply to help develop speed and accuracy. It helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, and increases flexibility to improve overall performance. Additionally, animal chiropractic can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, helping the body heal optimally and enhancing overall quality of life. So a little treatment can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your dog’s life! Have questions? Post a comment, and join in!