Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (VSMT)

Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (VSMT) is a manual therapy focused on restoring normal, healthy range of motion to your pet’s joints. By improving joint mobility, VSMT helps reduce pain, enhance nervous system function, and support your pet’s overall health and performance.

You may also hear VSMT referred to as “animal chiropractic”.

When joints become restricted or don’t move properly (called hypomobilities), the body compensates—often leading to pain, stiffness, muscle tension, or injury over time. VSMT works to gently correct these restrictions, allowing the body to heal and function optimally.

Regular maintenance care can help:

• Prevent scar tissue, adhesions, and muscle stiffness
• Reduce the risk of future injuries
• Support long-term joint and spinal health

VSMT is both an excellent preventative and therapeutic option for pets of all ages.

What to Expect at a VSMT Appointment

Each appointment begins with a thorough history of your pet to address your specific questions and concerns. Dr. Julia Brigandi will then perform a complete physical and neurologic exam, including a brief gait analysis.

If needed, additional diagnostics such as X-rays may be recommended to ensure your pet is a good candidate for adjustment.

Once this is done, Dr. Brigandi will carefully assess joint motion from paw or hoof to head. Any restricted joints will be adjusted as needed as we move along. Every session is tailored to your pet, and we always listen to the patient and ensure never to overstimulate the nervous system with too much at one session—your pet’s comfort always comes first!

What Is an Adjustment?

An adjustment is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied at a precise angle to a specific joint. This helps reset muscle tension, restore normal motion, and allow the joint to move more freely and comfortably.

At the end of the visit, you’ll receive a customized treatment plan, which will include follow-up appointment recommendations and at-home exercises or stretches to support continued progress.

Could My Pet or Horse Benefit from VSMT?

Yes! Animals of all ages and activity levels can benefit from VSMT.

Maintaining healthy joint motion helps prevent compensatory changes that can lead to pain, lameness, or chronic conditions. Properly functioning joints are also far less likely to develop painful osteoarthritis.

VSMT can be especially helpful for:

• Active and performance animals
• Senior pets
• Pets recovering from injury or lameness
• Pets with muscle weakness (paresis)

Through restoring joint motion and positively influencing the nervous system, VSMT can help reduce pain and improve overall quality of life.

Conditions That May Benefit from VSMT

• Neck, back, jaw, or limb pain
• Lameness or stiffness
• Decreased activity or performance
• Constant licking or chewing
• Sitting or lying on only one side
• Sensitivity to brushing or petting
• Digestive issues
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gastric ulcers
• Luxating patellas
• Wobblers syndrome
• Intervertebral disc disease
• Muscle weakness or paresis
• Behavioral changes

…and many more!

Are Adjustments Painful?

Most pets relax and enjoy their VSMT appointments. Adjustments are not painful, and gentle techniques are always used—especially in tender areas. In some cases, Dr. Brigandi may split up the adjustments between visits to achieve the best results.

Some pets may experience mild soreness the day after treatment, similar to how people feel after returning to exercise. This is just due to restoring normal range of motion to an area that may have not moved normally for quite some time. This typically resolves within 24 hours and is a normal part of restoring motion to previously restricted joints.

How Often Will My Pet Need to be Adjusted?

Treatment frequency varies by pet. Initially, visits may be weekly or bi-weekly, with the goal of improvements that allow us to gradually space out the following treatments.

Many pets thrive on maintenance care every 4–6 weeks, while younger or healthier pets may need even less frequent visits. The ultimate goal is to restore and maintain normal joint motion and healthy nervous system function.

Meet Dr. Julia Brigandi, DVM, CVSMT, FCoAC

Dr. Julia Brigandi joined Countryside Veterinary Clinic in July 2022 after earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. She has worked extensively as a large-animal veterinarian, providing on-farm care to horses and livestock.

Driven by a passion for rehabilitation and holistic care, Dr. Brigandi pursued advanced training in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy.

In November 2025, she completed her certification in VSMT (CVSMT) and became a Fellow of the College of Animal Chiropractors (FCoAC) through Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI.

Contact Our Practice Today to Schedule an Appointment or Obtain Additional Information