Frequently asked questions

What is a subluxation?

Subluxation is a chiropractic term for a bone misalignment that causes an issue in the nervous system. The spine is made up of individual vertebrae and between each vertebra a nerve leaves the spinal cord to connect with the rest of the body. When nerves send signals to and from the brain, research shows that the nerve must swell just a little bit in order to send that message. As vertebrae become misaligned they put pressure or tension on a nerve, preventing it from swelling and therefore interfering with signals being sent to and from the brain. This is now called a subluxation and leads to both pain and dysfunction.

How did my pet get subluxated?

Subluxations happen due to three things, trauma, toxins and stress. Trauma can often be easy to recognize if an animal falls, is stepped on or does a sport requiring the same motion to be performed repeatedly. This includes if your horse is ridden! Carrying a person on your back is definitely a form of repetitive trauma. Toxins cause subluxations because they interfere with nerve transmission and many toxins get stored in the fat cells that make up the nerve. Adjustments help to release these toxins so they can be flushed from the system. Toxins can come in a large dose all at once or in small amounts over a long time of exposure to something in your animal’s environment. Stress is the last item on the list that causes subluxations and is a huge factor in the amount of pain your pet experiences. Studies show that negative mental states increase the amount of pain felt by an individual. The amount of stress your pet experiences also determines how long they hold an adjustment. No two animals are the same and therefore some take stress more to heart than others but we can help them learn to adapt more readily to the changes in their daily lives.

I have a puppy, is she too young to get adjusted?

No! We love seeing all baby animals because it allows us to realign their spine before major problems arise. Adjusting a baby only takes the pressure needed to test the ripeness of a tomato. That isn’t a lot of pressure compared to the 90 lbs of pressure applied to a baby’s head during birth. That gives you an idea of how many baby animals are out there needing an adjustment.

How much does care cost?

Each case is different so each care plan is made for your individual animal. We don’t believe that one size fits all so a care plan is developed specially for your pet after diagnostics and an exam are performed. After a care plan is put together, depending on how you choose to pay, a certain number of adjustments are given for free which lowers the price per visit. We do this because we believe that every animal deserves to receive the highest quality care.

How long will it take?

The initial visit and evaluation take about 30-45 min. Going forward each adjustment is approximately 15-20 min because we want to respect your time. Therefore, we work tirelessly to make sure our process is as efficient as possible.

When does my pet get their first adjustment?

The first adjustment is given on the second visit after we have compiled all the data and exam results. This way we are able to give you a complete report on our findings so you can make informed decisions about the health of your pet.

Why do I need a veterinarian referral?

A veterinarian referral is required by the state of Oregon and we agree it is a vital step. We pride ourselves in being specialists in the field of chiropractic. We are not a jack of all trades, therefore we do not stretch ourselves thin trying to provide every service imaginable. Our focus is on the well being of your pet’s nervous system and our thousands of hours of training prove it. This is how you know your pet is in capable hands because what we do all day, every day is adjust animals to see their true health potential brought to the surface.

How often do animals need to be adjusted?

Each animal is different and the amount they need to be adjusted depends on their age, environment, stress level and the amount and type of exercise they receive each day. We will be able to tell you exactly how often your pet needs to be seen by us once we do a complete evaluation of their spine and nervous system.

Are you going to crack my pet’s back?

Nope! Animal spines do not release a popping noise because four legged animals have a different relationship to gravity which results in a lot less force being needed to adjust them. Adjusting a small animal only requires as much pressure as you would use to check the ripeness of an avocado. Even a horse needs less force than a human adjustment! Adjusting a horse is like checking the ripeness of a cantaloupe. This is also due to the speed behind each adjustment. According to Newton’s second law of motion, force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. Therefore, to adjust an animal with more mass than a person, Dr Medalen uses a lot of speed. She has spent years training her muscles to fire more quickly than the average person in order to provide the best adjustment possible.

How can I tell if my pet needs to be adjusted?

Animals are very good at hiding outward signs of pain. With four legs it is easier to compensate for injuries and those with high work drive may not even break their stride when an injury occurs. But there are many better ways to tell if your pet needs to be adjusted. Dogs and cats may lay predominantly on one side vs the other, have difficulty getting up from a laying or sitting position, they may be grumpy when woken suddenly, have skin twitches when being pet, they may have hot spots that they excessively lick or chew, normally on the legs or paws. Look for uneven wearing down of their claws or if they have sudden changes in behavior, have a history of digestive issues, toxin ingestion, trauma, arthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament ruptures, limping or difficultly holding their bladder, or if they are over 2 years old and still “puppy sitting”. Horses have similar signs but also include being cold backed or shifty when being saddled, difficultly turning one direction vs the other, or if they have been ridden with a saddle of the wrong size or a broken tree.

How are you protecting your clients from COVID?

Both Dr Medalen and any staff coming to your property are fully vaccinated and will be wearing masks. We use hand sanitizer between patients and are happy to perform adjustments outside in the open air. Please let us know about any concerns you have and we will be happy to accommodate you.