What is VMM?

Veterinary Medical Manipulation (VMM) is a manual therapy that uses motion palpation to find joint restrictions and alleviates them using quick and controlled joint adjustments. Correcting these joint restrictions restores normal range of motion, relaxes the muscles and relieves pain of a restricted joint. This improves circulation, neurologic function, and immune system performance.

How is VMM different from chiropractics?

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VMM is essentially chiropractic care for your pets. The reason it cannot be called as such is because a veterinarian, rather than a chiropractor, is the one performing the adjustment. When similar techniques are applied to animals, it is correctly called veterinary spinal manipulation or veterinary medical manipulation.

Who should have VMM?

• Pets that have had injuries such as muscle sprain or strain, dislocations, broken bones, or torn ligaments

• Pets exhibiting lameness or stiffness

• Pets with arthritis or other orthopedic disease

• Pets with neurologic diseases, prone to weakness or stumbling

• Pets with back, neck, leg or jaw pain

• Dogs that compete in dog shows or fitness events benefit from improvements in posture and agility.

• Any pet! To maintain health and fitness, VMM catches and treats abnormalities before they become injuries.

Still not sure if your pet should have VMM?

Look for these subtle signs of discomfort or reduced mobility especially in older pets:

• Difficulty climbing stairs


• Reluctance to jump on the furniture or in/out of the car


• Slowing down on walks or while playing


• Grouchiness with owners or other pets


• Hesitation to perform commands like ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘come’


• Stumbling or scuffing of the toenails


• Habitual licking or chewing on the limbs

For more information, see VMM FAQs