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An Introduction to Structural & Functional Medicine

Structural and functional medicine (SFM) introduces a new perspective on the assessment and treatment of soft tissue restrictions and joint mobility in small animals Whereas similar diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been recognized and used in human osteopathic medicine for some time it is only of recent time that an application to small animals has been considered. It would appear that only a very few practitioners around the globe are actively involved in using this type of therapy in helping animals to heal themselves.

Generally SFM draws upon the philosophy and theory of osteopathy as well as a rigorous application of anatomy and physiology as taught in veterinary medicine. The considerations are complex and the emotional state of the animal in its general and micro environment interacting with their immediate humans as well as other animals and people need to be considered. SFM is really a number of treatment approaches. These can include soft tissue manipulation, cranio sacral therapy, chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture, and lymphatic drainage and much more.

Small animals are very different

As a matter of survival it would seem that canines, and felines that matter, have a greater need and capacity for overall agility and body movement. A good illustration of this rapid active motion can be seen if you have witnessed a dog or cat fight. Compared to horses or cloven hoofed animals, whose main defensive action for survival involves flight at speed, predators need acceleration and active supple rapid body movements for catching and immobilizing prey. Consequently survival in the wild has necessitated optimal flexibility and suppleness between joints as well as being athletic and having instincts for survival and reproduction.

Our modern domesticated animal friends are far from living in the wild there has been somewhat of a decline in the necessity to maintain such extremes of athleticism for survival. On the other hand now days there is a trend towards more and more dogs doing agility, obedience, and field sports consequently there is more demand that they attain and retain a reasonable level of fitness.

Soft tissues are vital components of the animal’s health and well being. It would appear that as a result of many years of treating small animals with purely physical therapy and acupuncture the integrity of the soft tissues is of paramount importance in the health of canines and felines.

FAQ’s

What are the soft tissues?

Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia.

What exactly is fascia?

Fascia is a very fine connective tissue which completely covers all structures including bone, muscle, viscera, blood vessels or other organs. It is an internal wrapping system and its main functions are support, separation and connection of individual structures.

Why do these structures have problems?

All soft tissues have a nerve supply. The coordinated function of the entire body depends upon the brain receiving input from the sensory nerves and issuing commands to the motor nerves to make adjustments. The majority of this goes on without conscious effort. Simply put far more than the autonomic nervous system is at work 24 hours of the day. Optimal health is only achievable when all the systems are in balance. When there is a structural imbalance, then there is consequently a functional imbalance. Whereas some of these start out as apparently inconsequential problems they can snowball into major problems. If these problems are not rectified then pathology can develop. The result is your dog is lame and had nothing worth commenting on after X-rays three months ago, but now is still lame and requires surgery.

How can I determine if my animal has a problem?

If there is any doubt at all regarding the integrity of soft tissue the animal should be referred to a veterinarian or to a veterinarian trained in chiropractic care for animals.

What is a structural assessment?

A general structural assessment is a means of viewing the animal as a dynamic totality. This means we are looking at the animal’s mobile musculo-skeletal system as well as its component parts. Whereas this may sound simplistic the truth is we usually tend to focus on the components rather than the whole body. All too often practitioners take a history and then reduce their patients to a collection of signs and symptoms. The reason we need to look at the whole body of the animal is that the body’s functional integrity is dependent on its structural equilibrium. If there is a restriction in any part of the animal’s body it will have a detrimental affect on the rest of the body.

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