Western Edge Chiropractic

11/17/2025

Chiropractic is about supporting neurology, not pain control.

The tempromandibular joint [TMJ] has more sensory receptors than any other joint in the equine skeleton. This makes sense since they typically spend about 18 hours a day chewing!

This means that this joint is constantly sending information to the brain and recieving information back.

It is an important joint to have checked not only because there are 2 different joint articulations- one on each side of the head- but also because it is located by the poll. If there is upper cervical spine motion dysfunction, the jaw may be implicated or further exacerbating this. If I were to guess, I probably adjust the TMJ in 4 of every 6 new horses I see.

The movement of the jaw is controlled by cranial nerves, which originate in the brainstem. The brainstem controls movement of the facial structures, but it also houses much of the autonomic nervous system [ANS]. The ANS controls unconscious functions like heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, sleep/wake cycles, etc.

If you ever watch a horse chew, they typically grind their food in a circular motion. Over time, and even with regular dental care, one side may become restricted, affecting not only chewing which affects digestion, its also not unreasonable to believe that horses can get headaches too. Some horses will carry their head high, resist the bit or toss their heads when their jaw becomes restricted, others may not show it at all. This is why we check- because motion dysfunction can be detected before there is obvious pain or a symptom.

The secret wellness sauce for the equine athlete is regular hoof care, dentals, chiropractic and conditioning- usually in that order & for good reason.

I only have 1 more day with mobile availability before 2026 [Dec 18th] & more availablility at my barn clinic for haul-ins near Box Elder/New Underwood!

Text to schedule: 605-389-3089

11/14/2025

My cup runneth over. 🧡

[My assistant, of course, was over the moon as well. 🙃]

Having the honor of delivering an animal's first chiropractic adjustment is something that I have the privilege of doing often (we saw 5 new horses yesterday too). What I don't get to do as frequently is see an entire litter of puppies at just 3 weeks old. 🥹

Contrary to popular belief, Chiropractic's biggest benefit is NOT pain reduction- though it works fabulously for that as well. The biggest benefit is nervous system support and balance so that an animal (or human) can grow, heal and thrive without interference as they were designed to.

[Enter post-adjustment snoozies. 😭]

Guardian Shepherd Service Dogs is a new non-profit that provides fully trained Service Dogs to qualified disabled vets with PTSD and who may need help with mobility tasks.

They will have 5-6 puppies for sale and all proceeds from the sale will go to Guardian Shepherd Service Dogs!

What a gift it was to meet these sweet babes and get them started off right. 🫶

11/13/2025

It’s that time of year again! ❤️‍🔥

We’re looking for our next Western Edge Sponsored Teams for 2026 — and this year, we're including both 🐎 horses and 🐕 dogs!

If you and your animal love what chiropractic care brings to your partnership, we’d love to have you apply.

How to Apply:
1️⃣ Send an email with info about you and your animal, your events/discipline/classes, and your goals for the next year.
2️⃣ Include a photo of you and your animal(s).
📩 Email your application to: westernedgechiro@outlook.com
🗓 Deadline: December 12, 2025

We would be honored to walk alongside you in 2026 and help you reach new heights with your animal(s)!

11/12/2025

Broke is not the same as willing. Want to know what makes a broke horse less willing? A nervous system riddled with interference. Or said more plainly, dis-ease within the body.

People always want the smoking g*n- "this structure has this issue". While Chiropractic does precisely identify where the issue(s) and compensations are, it's more about how each peice affects the whole and removing that interference so that the animal may shift into healing and subsequently, being a more willing partner.

Though partnership can't be measured or quantified, messages like these after just one visit are everything to me & I celebrate with you even the tiniest of improvements. This signals to us that Chiropractic is not only an appropriate therapy but also an effective vehicle for assisting your partners in actually wanting to be a partner. 🤝

11/11/2025

Dr Jenna recently had the privilege of sharing her story with TSLN & we're praying that it falls perfectly on the hearts of those who are called to read it. 🙏🏻

Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸 🫡

There is an unmistakable quality among military service members and veterans on the importance of acts of service. For many the desire to serve one’s neighbors, community and country is what led individuals to enlist...

11/10/2025

I was not meant to work inside.

[And by inside, I don't mean a heated indoor 😉... I mean a stuffy, barely oversized closet with a window that didn't open 😭]

Sure, full-time human practice had its perks: temperature control, patients who don't try to bite/kick, and paid maternity leave 😅, but it wasn't for me.

So grateful for the everchanging scenery, no mask mandates & for fresh air, even when the seasons start to change. 🙏🏻

Happy Monday! 💜

11/08/2025

Some of my FAVORITE types of horses to see 👀

If ever there was a reason for equine chiropractic, it's horses with youth riders... Hear me out! ⬇️

Often, kid horses have a few years of 👵wisdom🧓. Many of them are purchased needing "maintenance" in some form or another. The rider is still learning to ride, to find their seat, to use their bodies and to cue the horse properly.

The horse understands the assignment better and is more willing to become a partner when their brains are connected to their bodies and when they are able to move without interference (chiropractic enters the chat 📱).

✨️This is where the magic happens. ✨️

One of the MOST rewarding parts of my job is helping youth riders go from defeated and frustrated with themselves and their (not naughty pr lazy but) PAINFUL horse & in time, shift to winning & finally enjoying their sport together. 💫

11/05/2025

So, what about the 💥pop💥???

If you've ever seen an animal adjusted online and heard a pop with every thrust...🫣... you either witnessed overadjusting (also known as physical trauma) or the sounds were dubbed in on top of the original video.

Human spines are weight-bearing (upright), so they often make a popping sound (called "cavitation") when adjusted. Since most quadruped spines are horizontal to the walking surface and it's their limbs that are weight-bearing. More often, those are the joints that will sometimes "pop" when they are adjusted (shoulders, carpals, stifles, hocks).

The sound you hear is simply a change within the pressure of the joint capsule. It does not guarantee restored motion, function or reduced pain so it is never the goal - it is just sometimes a result of what we do.

In my experience, when an animal spine does cavitate (again, never the goal, but sometimes the result), it's usually in the thoracolumbar junction on a canine and the lumbar spine or the upper cervical complex on an equine.

Have a great Wednesday! ❤️‍🔥

11/01/2025

We never put a limit on the body's ability to heal.

We never put the power of a chiropractic adjustment in a box.

My cat, on the other hand, puts herself in a box.

Happy Caturday! ✨️

10/30/2025

🎃 In the spirit of spooky season, let's chat about something super 👻 spooky (and cringe-worthy🫣)... The dreaded, ever-lurking in the shadows:

☠️myoskeletal/spinal alignment☠️

In human practice, there are over 150 named Chiropractic techniques. Not ONE claims to work this way or is called "alignment". It's simply not a thing.

Ladies & gentlemen, the spine is not a tower of Jenga blocks to be positioned and stacked, just so. The functional spinal unit is SO much more. 👏

This indicates a HUGE lack of understanding of Chiropractic as a whole & how the adjustment works both physiologically and neurologically.

This is also one of the easiest ways to spot someone who is pretending to do what a Chiropractor does. NO legitimate Chiropractic professional (DC or DVM) will EVER try to sell this to you.

Words matter. Happy Halloween! 🎃

[Link to find a Certified Animal Chiropractic Doctor near you in comments 🫶]

10/27/2025

💫Releases are NOT required.💫

Sure, myself and animal owners alike, LOVE changes that happen often & in front of our own eyes (licking, chewing, sighing, yawning, softening of the eye, dropping the head, etc)- but some animals process differently and others take time.

Following a first adjustment, I usually recommend 48 hours off of "work". That doesn't mean stall/crate rest... It means allowing the animal to move on their own volition without external stresses as they get to know a "new normal" and as their nervous system heals.

Most often, we notice anywhere from a little to a lot of improvement in their movement, pain and demeanor even after the first visit. This is MORE of an indication of the choice of an effective therapy rather than simply enjoying the moment. 🫶

[PS: the "pops" aren't required either, but that's a post for another day 😉]

10/22/2025

One of my favorite things about chiropractic is how "portable" it is. This morning, I worked outside the clinic rather than inside! What a gift to do the work that I love outside in the sunshine & fresh air. 🌞

IMHO, it's also why in human practice esp, it is such a perceived threat to the modern medical establishment- because it WORKS and requires no supplies, gadgets, fancy facilities or the opinions of insurance providers... just kind, compassionate, and skilled hands. ✨️🙌✨️

So grateful for Dr. Anderson and the girls over at Cornerstone Animal Clinic for so graciously sharing their space with me the last several years. I'm here every Wednesday seeing small animals of all kinds! 🐕 🐈 🐇 🐹 🦔🦦🦥