SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Oct 15, 2009 19:07:23 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Oct 15, 2009 19:07:23 GMT 10
SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Chiropractic spinal adjustment in humans is a well-established and well-founded science.
Unfortunately this is not the case with spinal adjustments in racing greyhounds, where the participants are mainly self-taught, nor do they ever get together to share techniques for the betterment of all, a damn pity.
So it remains an inexact science practiced by amateurs with varying degrees of proficiency.
Humans can clearly describe to the Chiropractor the problems they have, while the unfortunate greyhound has to rely on the individual manipulator to find the problem.
The damage in the human spine is generally caused by spinal disk compression due to lifting heavy weights awkwardly or simply wear and tear; after all we do walk on our hind legs.
The damage to the greyhounds spine is generally caused by sudden awkward movement, such as grabbing the lure only to have it continue on or stop suddenly, falling during a race or twisting sharply at the and of a straight run.
All of this causes muscle spasm and nerve compression not weight bearing disc compression.
Some similar manipulation movements may be employed in greyhounds as in human chiropractic, but that is where the comparison stops, it is a completely different science with different manipulation techniques.
In the next section I will attempt to describe the basic movements to be made when releasing a muscle spasm, and my reasons for doing it a certain way.
First of all it is totally impossible to accurately describe in print the amount of pressure or the movement required to successfully relieve a muscle spasm across a spinal segment.
This relies on the experience, finesse and touch of the practitioner and the state of the dog.
In each instance the movement as described is made until slight resistance pressure is felt.
Then with a very slight but firm flick in some instances or with a little extra movement of pressure in others the spasm is released.
In most instances a popping sound may be heard signifying the joint releasing.
However if the tissue around a joint is severely inflamed, no sound will be heard and there is a chance that any manipulation, while temporarily relieving the symptoms, will be unsuccessful in the long term.
All areas with inflammation must be allowed to settle, prior to any adjustments being made.
If you believe the adjustment was not successful, do not have a second go while holding the dog in the manipulation position.
Allow the dog to relax, re-check and then try again if necessary.
Important
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation without a valid (a real good) reason.
• Under no circumstances attempt spinal manipulation if there is any swelling or fluid on any part of the spine.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the dog has eaten its main meal within the last 4/6 hours.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation unless the dog has been properly emptied out.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the problem is severe enough to cause paralysis or partial paralysis of any limbs; this requires X rays and qualified Veterinary treatment.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the greyhound exhibits more than 3 classic signs of referred pain.
Dehydration, severe stress, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, viral infection and liver or kidney failure may all cause symptoms similar to referred pain due to nerve compression.
Any spinal segment to be adjusted should be thoroughly massaged and warmed prior to any manipulation by using hot towels or a heat pack plus at a minimum 1-minute of firm deep finger massage on both sides of the spinal segment to be adjusted, or preferably a minimum of 20 firm strokes with a suitable mechanical massager.
At the completion of this preparatory treatment re-check the referred pain, in some instances just heat and massage only may relieve the problem, if it does, continue with heat and massage daily for at least 3 days prior to running the greyhound again.
I believe it is essential that every effort must be made to make the dog as relaxed as possible.
All spinal manipulation relies to a large extend on feedback from the dog prior to, during and after the adjustment, and again every effort should be made immediately after any manipulation to reassure and relax the dog.
It is also important that the adjustment technique is designed to support the dog comfortably but firmly to avoid sudden movement by the dog that may nullify the adjustment being undertaken.
At the end of each adjustment release the head, neck or limb immediately.
Spinal adjustments done correctly may cause some discomfort, but never severe pain.
If it hurts, you are not doing it right.
To Adjust C6 – 7 With Pain On The Left Side
Straddling the animal with both legs just at the end of the ribcage and supporting it firmly with your legs, firmly holding the base of the neck with the left hand at and just below the C7 level.
With the right hand hold the muzzle of the dog and firmly with a smooth continuous motion; bring the head and neck around to the right in a very slightly downward under and upward direction, finishing with the head pointing almost towards the rear of the dog.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the left side of the dog.
To Adjust C7 – 8 With Pain On The Left Side
Again straddling the dog with both legs, this time just behind the last ribs, bend over the dog and bring your right hand around the right side of the trunk and in between both front legs.
The right hand then grips the front and outside of the lower end of the left shoulder blade just above the HUMERUS.
Lifting the front of the dog just off the ground with your right hand.
This will allow the body and neck to tilt to the left, then using your left forearm halfway up the neck bring the neck around in a smooth continuous motion to the left and under, pointing the head towards the middle of the back legs.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the right side of the dog.
To Adjust C7 – T1 With Pain On The Left Side
To complete this particular adjustment successfully you will require assistance.
Again straddle the dog, with your legs firmly holding the dog just at the last ribs.
Place your assistant at the front of the dog, have them hold the dogs left forearm just above the wrist with the left hand, bringing the leg up so that the forearm is horizontal.
Have them place their right hand on the dog’s elbow and push the elbow slightly towards the body and then pull the leg slightly forward, so that the shoulder blade is approximately at a 45-degree angle.
Then place the four fingers of your left hand (with the fingers level at the tip) in between the top of the shoulder blade and the trunk, with the palm of your hand against the shoulder blade and your fingers curled over the top of the blade.
Use your fingers to hold the blade slightly away from the trunk, with your palm supporting the blade and holding the dog steady.
Place your right hand around the dogs’ upper muzzle with your thumb straddling the head, and in a smooth continuous motion rotate the head and neck to the right in a downward under and upward direction finishing with the head almost pointing to the rear of the dog.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the right side of the dog.
To Adjust T1 – T2
Straddle the dog with your legs placed around the rib area, bend over the dog and place your elbows on your knees and link both hands under the dogs breastbone to the rear side of centre. By rocking backward in this position you can comfortably lift the front of the dog off the ground.
Place the tip of your chin in between T1 and T2 and while rocking back and lifting the front of the dog place firm pressure downward and slightly forward in between the spinal segments using your neck and chin. Then re-massage to avoid a rebound spasm.
General spinal rotation is often practiced in an attempt to cure a spinal muscle spasm in the LUMBAR region of the spine.
There again, I am not in favour of rotating the whole of the spine in order to relieve one or two spinal muscle spasms.
All muscle spasms are the result of some type of physical trauma, and quite often a spinal rotation will duplicate the type of twisting that caused the problem in the first place.
It is impossible to gauge the total effect of the rotation until at least 24 hours later; it will appear OK immediately after the adjustment.
The same as the dog will appear all right when coming off the track, and it is not until 24 hours after the run that the worst of the problems become obvious.
You can not get out of using rotation on the neck of the dog, nor can you avoid rotation if you have to work on the SACRUM – PELVIC area, however rotation should be avoided whenever possible.
That is why I have used the chin procedure on the THORACIC spinal area and advocate the following adjustment method on the LUMBAR section of the spine.
It may seem weird to use your chin to free a spinal spasm, however I have tried a lot of other methods and the chin is still the best.
First of all it fits perfectly in between the tips of the vertebrae, your neck is extremely strong and allows perfect control over the amount of pressure you exert.
It also allows you the freedom of adjusting only those segments that require to be done; most other methods are not specific enough and often cause spasms in the adjacent spinal area.
And best of all it allows both hands free to control the movement of the dog.
To Adjust L1 To L6
Stand behind the dog with your feet slightly spread, bend over the rear of the dog and wrap one arm around the upper portion of the back legs the other around the hips.
Lift the back legs off the ground and extend both legs out behind the dog, do this while bending over and without lifting the rear of the dog any higher, so that the spine remains horizontal.
(Some greyhounds may resist having both back legs extended, this is generally caused by damage in either the TENSOR FACIA LATA or the top of the LATERAL VASTUS if this is the case both areas will have to be thoroughly massaged, prior to proceeding with the adjustment)
Place your chin between the segments to be adjusted and using a firm downward and slightly rearward pressure with your chin, flex the spine downward.
This particular method will also allow you to very slightly rotate the spine to place extra pressure on either side of the spine if so required.
However as a normal rule the spine should be kept as straight as possible.
After re-massaging the spine, re-check the spinal area, and if not completely free, repeat the same adjustment.
This type of manipulation does not cause any trauma to the spine or the dog, nor does it compress the internal organs as with spinal rotation.
Spinal Adjustment To L6 – S2
This section of the spine causes the most amount of problem with the racing greyhound.
However, this area does not normally sustain injury or muscle spasm during the normal course of racing.
Generally it is an injury or weakness first caused during the rearing of the greyhound, and sometimes simply because of the training methods employed by the trainer.
Damage, weakness or injury in this area of the spine is the result of the dog making a sudden and drastic change of direction at the end of a rearing yard or a straight run.
It affects in particular those greyhounds that have spend a considerable amount of time as pups running up and down, full speed in a long narrow rearing yard.
It is the action of running to the end of a straight run, spinning hard to the left and running back again, over and over, that causes a massive muscle spasm on the left side of the 7th LUMBAR vertebrae.
In many cases severe enough to cause the tissue on the right side of the vertebrae to tear or weaken severely.
In the worst cases, when the spinning around at the end of a run involves sliding on a slippery surface, it may fracture the spinal section of the vertebrae.
Physical symptoms and effects of this injury listed in order of severity are:
1. No other symptoms other than the inability to extend one or both hind legs fully
2. The above + a reduction in the size of the left GLUTEUS MEDIUS
3. All of the above + a reduction in the size of the right GLUTEUS MEDIUS
4. All of the above + a reduction in the size of both the BICEPS FEMORIS muscles
5. All of the above + damaged tissue on the right hand side of L7 allowing fractional sideways movement of L7.
6. All of the above + a fractured spine of L7 capable of being pushed sideways both left and right.
Greyhounds with this problem will all exhibit signs of severe referred pain on the inside of the hind leg at the base of the POSTERIOR SARTORIUS.
To remove all the muscle spasms around the L6 – S2 area including some around the pelvic bone, a number of adjustments must be made and in a specific order.
Firstly the pelvic bone requires rotation, even though it is a relative simple procedure it is rather difficult to describe.
Next is the adjustment of the tissue around the S2 – tail area, adjusted by rotating the tail.
Last but not least, the L5 – L6 and the L6 – L7 junctions will require adjusting, simply because the first adjustment, the pelvic bone rotation, causes muscle spasm to this area.
The extend to which you follow through on each adjustment will depend largely on the severity of the problem being adjusted, minimum muscle spasm minimum rotation, severe muscle spasm maximum rotation.
When adjusting L6 – S2 both sides of the pelvis must be rotated, the side with the least problem being treated first
It is also unfortunate that much of this area is difficult to massage deep enough to make the adjustment easier on the dog, however 3 or 4 minutes with a hot towel just prior to the adjustment will help some.
Pelvic Rotation (with the worst problem on the right side of the dog)
Stand on the left side facing the dog with your left leg (knee slightly bent) against the coupling- hip junction.
Bend over the dog bringing your left arm over, around and under the dog, placing your left hand on the outside of the dogs left knee.
At the same time, with your right hand reach over the dog picking up the right leg of the dog just below the tarsal bone and bring the right leg over towards the left and with your index finger between the two, grip both hocks firmly.
Lift both the hocks and knees bringing them closer to the dog’s body as you lift.
At this point the dogs body will be resting on your left thigh, held there firmly by the back of your left arm, his back legs will be tucked close to him and at a right angle to his body, your right arm holding the hocks will be against the outside of the upper part of the dogs right hind leg.
With a smooth firm motion lift the knees up and towards the rear of the dog, while bringing the hocks slightly down with your right hand and pressing down on the top of the hind leg-pelvic bone area with the inside of your right forearm.
Rotating far enough to almost bring the TIBIA part of the hind leg into a vertical position.
IMPORTANT: this rotation is mainly done by lifting the knee and pushing down on the pelvic area with the inside of the forearm, do not force the hocks downward, this will cause severe damage in the knee joints.
Extra pressure (if required) may be placed on the pelvic bone with the knee of your right leg during the rotation.
Do not hold at the furthest point of rotation, release immediately.
Tail Rotation
Prior to any tail rotation, grip the tail firmly approximately 200 mm down from the butt of the tail (not the end) and pull firmly downwards.
This is to free any spasms in the tail so you may use it as a lever to adjust the tail – S2 area.
Standing to the side of the hind leg of the dog (left hand side if you are right handed) place the ball of your thumb of your left hand approximately 50 mm to the front of the left crest of the ILIUM (pin bone) press down firmly and slide the thumb to the rear of the dog between the pin bone and spine, stopping just 20 mm past the pin bone.
Grip the tail firmly approximately 400 mm down from the butt and turn your wrist inward while bringing the tail up and around to the left.
Repeat the procedure in the opposite direction on the other side of the dog.
When completed, again pull the tail downwards firmly to remove any spasms.
THEN USE THE PROCEDURE AS DESCRIBED FOR THE L1 to L6 ADJUSTMENT to adjust L5 – L6 and L6 – L7.
To remove the spasms around the L6 to S2 area all of the adjustments must be done and in the right order.
I realize the whole procedure when written down may appear difficult and possibly hard on the dog, in particularly the pelvic rotation.
However if you did the pelvic rotation extremely gently and slowly on a perfectly sound dog you may be surprised as to how far you can actually rotate this area and not cause any discomfort.
L7 With Damaged Tissue On One Side
When the spasm to the L6 – S2 area is severe enough to have caused a weakness on one side of the L7 spinal segment (the spine of L7 can be moved sideways in one direction only) further action will have to be undertaken after doing all of the L6 – S2 adjustments.
You will find that after completing the manipulation that the L7 spine will have stabilized somewhat and will feel a lot firmer, even so the weaker area will have to be injected with a sclerosing agent, (not an anti inflammatory) to increase the strength of the area.
It is unlikely that either “Muscle repair” or “Promote” will be strong enough to do the job effectively, and the easiest available product that may help is 5% ETHANOLAMINE OLEATE.
Inject 1 ml in 1/10th of a ml doses along an area in line with the spine 12 to 15 mm out from the centre of the spine of L7 to the full depth of a 1/2 inch needle.
Allow the area to settle for 7 days then re-check.
After the spine has sustained this type of damage it is imperative that the dog not be allowed free galloping in a small yard or enclosure, as the problem is likely to re-occur.
L7 With Suspected Fractured Spine
When the L7 spine is capable of being moved sideways in both directions, it is likely that it has been broken. Use X ray to confirm, and if the proven ability of the greyhound warrants the expense, surgical removal is the only option.
Further adjustments that may have some benefit are those related to the joints of the limbs.
However in each instance they involve tendons and ligaments that have sustained damage and inexperienced efforts to relieve the stiffness of the joint may cause further damage.
Anti-inflammatory creams or heat producing liniments along with massage and gentle physiotherapy may be a better alternative.
There are a large number of other “manipulations” that are practiced on the racing greyhound, such as rolling shoulders and putting back “cords” and tendons that have “slipped” out of position.
However, after 30 years of looking at the injuries sustained by the racing Greyhound, I still have yet to find a tendon that has "slipped out of position"
In almost every instance of often extremely painful to the Greyhound of “muscle manipulation” I have ever witnessed, the only real benefit has been a reduction in muscle spasm, possibly better treated with massage, liniment, Ultra Sound treatment or simply rest.
However if you need instant results, firm-sliding pressure over a tendon and some stretching action will temporarily relieve adhesions due to damage in the tendon or ligaments, and may allow the Greyhound to perform.
But there again I certainly don’t profess to know everything there is to know about manipulation and if it works for your Greyhounds that’s great.
Chiropractic spinal adjustment in humans is a well-established and well-founded science.
Unfortunately this is not the case with spinal adjustments in racing greyhounds, where the participants are mainly self-taught, nor do they ever get together to share techniques for the betterment of all, a damn pity.
So it remains an inexact science practiced by amateurs with varying degrees of proficiency.
Humans can clearly describe to the Chiropractor the problems they have, while the unfortunate greyhound has to rely on the individual manipulator to find the problem.
The damage in the human spine is generally caused by spinal disk compression due to lifting heavy weights awkwardly or simply wear and tear; after all we do walk on our hind legs.
The damage to the greyhounds spine is generally caused by sudden awkward movement, such as grabbing the lure only to have it continue on or stop suddenly, falling during a race or twisting sharply at the and of a straight run.
All of this causes muscle spasm and nerve compression not weight bearing disc compression.
Some similar manipulation movements may be employed in greyhounds as in human chiropractic, but that is where the comparison stops, it is a completely different science with different manipulation techniques.
In the next section I will attempt to describe the basic movements to be made when releasing a muscle spasm, and my reasons for doing it a certain way.
First of all it is totally impossible to accurately describe in print the amount of pressure or the movement required to successfully relieve a muscle spasm across a spinal segment.
This relies on the experience, finesse and touch of the practitioner and the state of the dog.
In each instance the movement as described is made until slight resistance pressure is felt.
Then with a very slight but firm flick in some instances or with a little extra movement of pressure in others the spasm is released.
In most instances a popping sound may be heard signifying the joint releasing.
However if the tissue around a joint is severely inflamed, no sound will be heard and there is a chance that any manipulation, while temporarily relieving the symptoms, will be unsuccessful in the long term.
All areas with inflammation must be allowed to settle, prior to any adjustments being made.
If you believe the adjustment was not successful, do not have a second go while holding the dog in the manipulation position.
Allow the dog to relax, re-check and then try again if necessary.
Important
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation without a valid (a real good) reason.
• Under no circumstances attempt spinal manipulation if there is any swelling or fluid on any part of the spine.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the dog has eaten its main meal within the last 4/6 hours.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation unless the dog has been properly emptied out.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the problem is severe enough to cause paralysis or partial paralysis of any limbs; this requires X rays and qualified Veterinary treatment.
• Do not attempt spinal manipulation if the greyhound exhibits more than 3 classic signs of referred pain.
Dehydration, severe stress, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, viral infection and liver or kidney failure may all cause symptoms similar to referred pain due to nerve compression.
Any spinal segment to be adjusted should be thoroughly massaged and warmed prior to any manipulation by using hot towels or a heat pack plus at a minimum 1-minute of firm deep finger massage on both sides of the spinal segment to be adjusted, or preferably a minimum of 20 firm strokes with a suitable mechanical massager.
At the completion of this preparatory treatment re-check the referred pain, in some instances just heat and massage only may relieve the problem, if it does, continue with heat and massage daily for at least 3 days prior to running the greyhound again.
I believe it is essential that every effort must be made to make the dog as relaxed as possible.
All spinal manipulation relies to a large extend on feedback from the dog prior to, during and after the adjustment, and again every effort should be made immediately after any manipulation to reassure and relax the dog.
It is also important that the adjustment technique is designed to support the dog comfortably but firmly to avoid sudden movement by the dog that may nullify the adjustment being undertaken.
At the end of each adjustment release the head, neck or limb immediately.
Spinal adjustments done correctly may cause some discomfort, but never severe pain.
If it hurts, you are not doing it right.
To Adjust C6 – 7 With Pain On The Left Side
Straddling the animal with both legs just at the end of the ribcage and supporting it firmly with your legs, firmly holding the base of the neck with the left hand at and just below the C7 level.
With the right hand hold the muzzle of the dog and firmly with a smooth continuous motion; bring the head and neck around to the right in a very slightly downward under and upward direction, finishing with the head pointing almost towards the rear of the dog.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the left side of the dog.
To Adjust C7 – 8 With Pain On The Left Side
Again straddling the dog with both legs, this time just behind the last ribs, bend over the dog and bring your right hand around the right side of the trunk and in between both front legs.
The right hand then grips the front and outside of the lower end of the left shoulder blade just above the HUMERUS.
Lifting the front of the dog just off the ground with your right hand.
This will allow the body and neck to tilt to the left, then using your left forearm halfway up the neck bring the neck around in a smooth continuous motion to the left and under, pointing the head towards the middle of the back legs.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the right side of the dog.
To Adjust C7 – T1 With Pain On The Left Side
To complete this particular adjustment successfully you will require assistance.
Again straddle the dog, with your legs firmly holding the dog just at the last ribs.
Place your assistant at the front of the dog, have them hold the dogs left forearm just above the wrist with the left hand, bringing the leg up so that the forearm is horizontal.
Have them place their right hand on the dog’s elbow and push the elbow slightly towards the body and then pull the leg slightly forward, so that the shoulder blade is approximately at a 45-degree angle.
Then place the four fingers of your left hand (with the fingers level at the tip) in between the top of the shoulder blade and the trunk, with the palm of your hand against the shoulder blade and your fingers curled over the top of the blade.
Use your fingers to hold the blade slightly away from the trunk, with your palm supporting the blade and holding the dog steady.
Place your right hand around the dogs’ upper muzzle with your thumb straddling the head, and in a smooth continuous motion rotate the head and neck to the right in a downward under and upward direction finishing with the head almost pointing to the rear of the dog.
For pain on the right side use the same procedure on the right side of the dog.
To Adjust T1 – T2
Straddle the dog with your legs placed around the rib area, bend over the dog and place your elbows on your knees and link both hands under the dogs breastbone to the rear side of centre. By rocking backward in this position you can comfortably lift the front of the dog off the ground.
Place the tip of your chin in between T1 and T2 and while rocking back and lifting the front of the dog place firm pressure downward and slightly forward in between the spinal segments using your neck and chin. Then re-massage to avoid a rebound spasm.
General spinal rotation is often practiced in an attempt to cure a spinal muscle spasm in the LUMBAR region of the spine.
There again, I am not in favour of rotating the whole of the spine in order to relieve one or two spinal muscle spasms.
All muscle spasms are the result of some type of physical trauma, and quite often a spinal rotation will duplicate the type of twisting that caused the problem in the first place.
It is impossible to gauge the total effect of the rotation until at least 24 hours later; it will appear OK immediately after the adjustment.
The same as the dog will appear all right when coming off the track, and it is not until 24 hours after the run that the worst of the problems become obvious.
You can not get out of using rotation on the neck of the dog, nor can you avoid rotation if you have to work on the SACRUM – PELVIC area, however rotation should be avoided whenever possible.
That is why I have used the chin procedure on the THORACIC spinal area and advocate the following adjustment method on the LUMBAR section of the spine.
It may seem weird to use your chin to free a spinal spasm, however I have tried a lot of other methods and the chin is still the best.
First of all it fits perfectly in between the tips of the vertebrae, your neck is extremely strong and allows perfect control over the amount of pressure you exert.
It also allows you the freedom of adjusting only those segments that require to be done; most other methods are not specific enough and often cause spasms in the adjacent spinal area.
And best of all it allows both hands free to control the movement of the dog.
To Adjust L1 To L6
Stand behind the dog with your feet slightly spread, bend over the rear of the dog and wrap one arm around the upper portion of the back legs the other around the hips.
Lift the back legs off the ground and extend both legs out behind the dog, do this while bending over and without lifting the rear of the dog any higher, so that the spine remains horizontal.
(Some greyhounds may resist having both back legs extended, this is generally caused by damage in either the TENSOR FACIA LATA or the top of the LATERAL VASTUS if this is the case both areas will have to be thoroughly massaged, prior to proceeding with the adjustment)
Place your chin between the segments to be adjusted and using a firm downward and slightly rearward pressure with your chin, flex the spine downward.
This particular method will also allow you to very slightly rotate the spine to place extra pressure on either side of the spine if so required.
However as a normal rule the spine should be kept as straight as possible.
After re-massaging the spine, re-check the spinal area, and if not completely free, repeat the same adjustment.
This type of manipulation does not cause any trauma to the spine or the dog, nor does it compress the internal organs as with spinal rotation.
Spinal Adjustment To L6 – S2
This section of the spine causes the most amount of problem with the racing greyhound.
However, this area does not normally sustain injury or muscle spasm during the normal course of racing.
Generally it is an injury or weakness first caused during the rearing of the greyhound, and sometimes simply because of the training methods employed by the trainer.
Damage, weakness or injury in this area of the spine is the result of the dog making a sudden and drastic change of direction at the end of a rearing yard or a straight run.
It affects in particular those greyhounds that have spend a considerable amount of time as pups running up and down, full speed in a long narrow rearing yard.
It is the action of running to the end of a straight run, spinning hard to the left and running back again, over and over, that causes a massive muscle spasm on the left side of the 7th LUMBAR vertebrae.
In many cases severe enough to cause the tissue on the right side of the vertebrae to tear or weaken severely.
In the worst cases, when the spinning around at the end of a run involves sliding on a slippery surface, it may fracture the spinal section of the vertebrae.
Physical symptoms and effects of this injury listed in order of severity are:
1. No other symptoms other than the inability to extend one or both hind legs fully
2. The above + a reduction in the size of the left GLUTEUS MEDIUS
3. All of the above + a reduction in the size of the right GLUTEUS MEDIUS
4. All of the above + a reduction in the size of both the BICEPS FEMORIS muscles
5. All of the above + damaged tissue on the right hand side of L7 allowing fractional sideways movement of L7.
6. All of the above + a fractured spine of L7 capable of being pushed sideways both left and right.
Greyhounds with this problem will all exhibit signs of severe referred pain on the inside of the hind leg at the base of the POSTERIOR SARTORIUS.
To remove all the muscle spasms around the L6 – S2 area including some around the pelvic bone, a number of adjustments must be made and in a specific order.
Firstly the pelvic bone requires rotation, even though it is a relative simple procedure it is rather difficult to describe.
Next is the adjustment of the tissue around the S2 – tail area, adjusted by rotating the tail.
Last but not least, the L5 – L6 and the L6 – L7 junctions will require adjusting, simply because the first adjustment, the pelvic bone rotation, causes muscle spasm to this area.
The extend to which you follow through on each adjustment will depend largely on the severity of the problem being adjusted, minimum muscle spasm minimum rotation, severe muscle spasm maximum rotation.
When adjusting L6 – S2 both sides of the pelvis must be rotated, the side with the least problem being treated first
It is also unfortunate that much of this area is difficult to massage deep enough to make the adjustment easier on the dog, however 3 or 4 minutes with a hot towel just prior to the adjustment will help some.
Pelvic Rotation (with the worst problem on the right side of the dog)
Stand on the left side facing the dog with your left leg (knee slightly bent) against the coupling- hip junction.
Bend over the dog bringing your left arm over, around and under the dog, placing your left hand on the outside of the dogs left knee.
At the same time, with your right hand reach over the dog picking up the right leg of the dog just below the tarsal bone and bring the right leg over towards the left and with your index finger between the two, grip both hocks firmly.
Lift both the hocks and knees bringing them closer to the dog’s body as you lift.
At this point the dogs body will be resting on your left thigh, held there firmly by the back of your left arm, his back legs will be tucked close to him and at a right angle to his body, your right arm holding the hocks will be against the outside of the upper part of the dogs right hind leg.
With a smooth firm motion lift the knees up and towards the rear of the dog, while bringing the hocks slightly down with your right hand and pressing down on the top of the hind leg-pelvic bone area with the inside of your right forearm.
Rotating far enough to almost bring the TIBIA part of the hind leg into a vertical position.
IMPORTANT: this rotation is mainly done by lifting the knee and pushing down on the pelvic area with the inside of the forearm, do not force the hocks downward, this will cause severe damage in the knee joints.
Extra pressure (if required) may be placed on the pelvic bone with the knee of your right leg during the rotation.
Do not hold at the furthest point of rotation, release immediately.
Tail Rotation
Prior to any tail rotation, grip the tail firmly approximately 200 mm down from the butt of the tail (not the end) and pull firmly downwards.
This is to free any spasms in the tail so you may use it as a lever to adjust the tail – S2 area.
Standing to the side of the hind leg of the dog (left hand side if you are right handed) place the ball of your thumb of your left hand approximately 50 mm to the front of the left crest of the ILIUM (pin bone) press down firmly and slide the thumb to the rear of the dog between the pin bone and spine, stopping just 20 mm past the pin bone.
Grip the tail firmly approximately 400 mm down from the butt and turn your wrist inward while bringing the tail up and around to the left.
Repeat the procedure in the opposite direction on the other side of the dog.
When completed, again pull the tail downwards firmly to remove any spasms.
THEN USE THE PROCEDURE AS DESCRIBED FOR THE L1 to L6 ADJUSTMENT to adjust L5 – L6 and L6 – L7.
To remove the spasms around the L6 to S2 area all of the adjustments must be done and in the right order.
I realize the whole procedure when written down may appear difficult and possibly hard on the dog, in particularly the pelvic rotation.
However if you did the pelvic rotation extremely gently and slowly on a perfectly sound dog you may be surprised as to how far you can actually rotate this area and not cause any discomfort.
L7 With Damaged Tissue On One Side
When the spasm to the L6 – S2 area is severe enough to have caused a weakness on one side of the L7 spinal segment (the spine of L7 can be moved sideways in one direction only) further action will have to be undertaken after doing all of the L6 – S2 adjustments.
You will find that after completing the manipulation that the L7 spine will have stabilized somewhat and will feel a lot firmer, even so the weaker area will have to be injected with a sclerosing agent, (not an anti inflammatory) to increase the strength of the area.
It is unlikely that either “Muscle repair” or “Promote” will be strong enough to do the job effectively, and the easiest available product that may help is 5% ETHANOLAMINE OLEATE.
Inject 1 ml in 1/10th of a ml doses along an area in line with the spine 12 to 15 mm out from the centre of the spine of L7 to the full depth of a 1/2 inch needle.
Allow the area to settle for 7 days then re-check.
After the spine has sustained this type of damage it is imperative that the dog not be allowed free galloping in a small yard or enclosure, as the problem is likely to re-occur.
L7 With Suspected Fractured Spine
When the L7 spine is capable of being moved sideways in both directions, it is likely that it has been broken. Use X ray to confirm, and if the proven ability of the greyhound warrants the expense, surgical removal is the only option.
Further adjustments that may have some benefit are those related to the joints of the limbs.
However in each instance they involve tendons and ligaments that have sustained damage and inexperienced efforts to relieve the stiffness of the joint may cause further damage.
Anti-inflammatory creams or heat producing liniments along with massage and gentle physiotherapy may be a better alternative.
There are a large number of other “manipulations” that are practiced on the racing greyhound, such as rolling shoulders and putting back “cords” and tendons that have “slipped” out of position.
However, after 30 years of looking at the injuries sustained by the racing Greyhound, I still have yet to find a tendon that has "slipped out of position"
In almost every instance of often extremely painful to the Greyhound of “muscle manipulation” I have ever witnessed, the only real benefit has been a reduction in muscle spasm, possibly better treated with massage, liniment, Ultra Sound treatment or simply rest.
However if you need instant results, firm-sliding pressure over a tendon and some stretching action will temporarily relieve adhesions due to damage in the tendon or ligaments, and may allow the Greyhound to perform.
But there again I certainly don’t profess to know everything there is to know about manipulation and if it works for your Greyhounds that’s great.