VOM utilizes a hand-held, spring-loaded device called an "activator" to first detect and then to adjust areas of neuronal abnormality, termed "subluxations". These subluxations may be along the spine itself, associated with the branching spinal nerve roots, or distal from the spine in the limbs. "Quadripeds", (i.e. dogs, cats, and horses, as opposed to human "bipeds"), have an anatomical structure, the cutaneous trunci muscle which makes them unique and well suited for use of the activator in diagnostic evaluations. This cutaneous trunci muscle essentially covers the entire body with a thin layer of muscle under the deepest layer of the skin. When an area of neuronal subluxation is stimulated with the activator, the cutaneous trunci muscle contracts and causes an involuntary reflexive spasm or "twitch" of the skin.

The activator is used not only for diagnostic purposes, but it has therapeutic benefits as well. During a VOM evaluation, the examiner will make a first "pass", or series of stimulations with the activator down the length of the spine. This first pass is used primarily for diagnostic purposes. A record is made of any positive "reads" or twitches of the cutaneous trunci muscle which signifies an adjacent area of neuronal subluxation. As the second and subsiquent passes are made with the activator, it is common for positive reads to gradually become less evident, as the energy released by the activator "switches off" these subluxations, or areas of abnormal neuronal function. This correction of neuronal subluxations will usually be temporary, lasting from a few hours to several days, depending on the severity, duration, and cause of the abnormality. Additional adjustments will usually be required, and it is common that the length of improvement becomes longer after each treatment. Once satisfactory improvement is demonstrated, treatment intervals will be increased, until they are no longer required to keep the subluxations controlled.

For patients showing the proper symptoms and diagnostic evaluation "reads" to be considered for VOM therapy, the standard course of treatment recommended is one treatment per week for six weeks. If the patient is not showing any positive response after the 4th VOM treatment, discontinuation of the treatment series is considered. Every case is evaluated based upon the history, physical condition, and response of the individual pet.

Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation is not magic, it is not a cure-all, and it is not witchcraft. VOM is a scientifically based diagnostic and therapeutic tool to be used in conjunction with other traditional medical, and/or surgical treatments. It would be inappropriate and irresponsible to perform VOM on a pet without a thorough history and physical examination. We also require that before a patient is accepted for a series of VOM treatments, we must have diagnostic quality radiographs and a current CBC and blood chemistry evaluation. Because we often treat VOM patients with medications in addition to manipulation, we insist that we must be familiar with the total health history and status of our patients.

An additional therapy found to be beneficial to VOM patients has been myofascial release techniques accomplished with the VOM VetroStim unit. The VetroStim provides a deeply penetrating muscular massage which releases more severe neuronal subluxations which may not have been adequately or immediately adjusted through use of the activator alone. This therapy is reserved for patients exhibiting typical positive diagnostic "reads", and those with no contraindications to this deeper manipulation on physical examination, radiographs, and blood work.