Yes — and it’s more common than you might think.
Just like humans, animals have spines, joints, and nervous systems. And just like us, they can develop stiffness, tension, pain, or postural imbalances that affect how they move and function.
While you won’t see animals lying on a treatment table getting a typical human adjustment, trained animal chiropractors use gentle, specific techniques to assess and correct dysfunction in the spine and musculoskeletal system — tailored to the animal’s anatomy and needs.
What Kind of Animals Can Be Treated?
Animal chiropractic isn’t just for racehorses or show dogs.
Qualified professionals work with a wide range of animals, including:
• Horses (Equine Chiropractic) – Common for performance horses, especially those with gait issues, stiffness, or behavioural changes under saddle
• Dogs – Often treated for spinal issues, mobility problems, arthritis, or recovery from injury
• Cats – For postural or neurological issues
• Farm animals – Cattle, sheep, and even goats
• Small animals – Rabbits, guinea pigs, and yes… even chickens!
If it has a spine, it can potentially benefit from chiropractic care.
But It’s Not Just About Pain Relief
Just like with human chiropractic, animal chiropractic isn’t always about chasing symptoms. It’s about improving function, movement, and nervous system communication.
That’s because the nervous system — which controls every organ, tissue, and function — travels through the spine. Misalignments or joint dysfunctions can affect nerve flow and, in turn, the way the body moves and heals.
By improving alignment, chiropractors aim to optimise the communication between the brain and body — whether that body has two legs or four.
So… Can Any Chiropractor Treat Animals?
No. Not legally — and not safely.
In the UK, animal chiropractic is a regulated profession. You can’t just take your pet to a human chiropractor and hope for the best. It requires specialised, post-graduate training.
To work with animals, a chiropractor must:
• Be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
• Have postgraduate training in animal chiropractic
• Be registered on the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) — or be working alongside a veterinary surgeon
• Have professional indemnity insurance to treat animals
• Work under veterinary referral or consent (as required by UK law)
Without these qualifications, it’s not only unethical to treat animals — it’s illegal.
Do We Treat Animals at The Backstory?
No — our clinic is dedicated to helping humans move, feel, and function better.
But if you’re looking for an animal chiropractor, we’d always recommend finding someone fully qualified, veterinary-referred, and listed on the appropriate regulatory bodies.
Final Thought
Animal chiropractic is real, regulated, and growing in popularity. From elite racehorses to elderly dogs, the right hands can make a world of difference in an animal’s comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Just make sure you choose someone with the right training, credentials, and compassion to do it properly.
