HOT PROFILE THIS MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2004

Introducing...
Dr JOY WHITE - EQUINE (AND HUMAN!) CHIROPRACTOR
B.Sc (Physch), B.Sc (Chiro), M.N.Z.C.A. M.I.C.A.K. Cert A.K

Joy White is well known in the Christchurch area for her skills with human patients, but now having extended her skills to assist the animal kingdom, she manages the two demanding practices side by side.
SHNZ met up with Joy in August amidst her busy schedule and asked her a few questions about her work with horses.

SHNZ: What was the major motivating force that inspired you to train as a Dr of Animal Chiropractic?
Joy: The love of horses and the instincts towards healing and helping. I see having trained with humans as being an essential step towards understanding pain and how muscles react. I believe this makes me a better therapist.

Does the lack of verbal communication make working with animals that much more challenging?
No, because animals are honest. If they are sore they react.

As you travel to meet up with many of your clients, I expect that one of the challenging parts is managing without ideal facilities in many cases - is this a hinderance to your work?
Yes, as bad conditions (i.e. wind and rain) cause the animal to be more tense and therefore this can work against the treatment.

What would be the most common area of treatment you would perform on equine patients?
Behind the saddle, due to the fact the ribs end here, and the muscles that attach from ribs, spine and pelvis area are the sole support for this area. Any engagement can cause these muscles to strain.

Now that we have defined an area, what are some hints you could give to riders to assist in making their mounts more comfortable?
A good warm up and warm down is most important, particularly long and low excercises, this encourages the muscles to stretch before they are asked to be engaged.

I guess you can pick up a lot of information from the owners/riders of the horses as to where the tension/pain is located. Do you believe that the information given is usually accurate or is pain often referred pain or muscle tension originating from another area?
I find that the least amount of information given to me is best as then it does not influence my diagnosis. A history of accidents is important to rule out chronic injuries, fractures or athritis.

Do you mainly do adjustments or are there other supporting treatments you can advise or prescribe that assist animals to heal?
I personally work using trigger points to releave muscle tension first. I then utilise my tools (the activator) to adjust spinal segments. Other holistic modalities I use are nutritional support including homeopathy, herbs and Kinesiology.

On average how many treatments would an animal require to obtain relief?
On a case by case basis depending on the severity, treatments would range from 3 to 6 vists. For a given condition following this, maintenance treatments are advised.

When and why should you have your horse checked?
When you suspect your saddle does not fit correctly, or when the horse has become stiff or tense. Following accidents or falls. Also when you have increased the demands of the muscleoskeletal system.

What is the main enjoyment/ satisfaction you get from your work?
The enjoyment of working with the horse, the highlight of my work is when the owner gets the satisfaction of the horses changed performance.

If people want to talk to you for information or make an appointment how can they contact you?
My mobile number is: 021 259 4046

Thanks Joy!

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