Osteopathy and Canine Tail Biomechanics

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Humans have a coccyx. Dogs have a tail of up to 23 vertebrae, and it does far more than wag. It helps the dog keep its balance, acts as a rudder when swimming, plays a part in scent marking and lets it express mood to people and other dogs. Erin Calhoun, a kinesiologist who specialises in human pain management, wrote this paper for the London College of Animal Osteopathy to explore the tail's role in biomechanics and wellbeing, and how osteopathy might help reduce the need for docking and other procedures. When a tail is injured or docked, the effects don't always stay at the tail. Scar tissue and painful neuromas can form, and docking can take away part of a dog's ability to communicate. Calhoun draws on recent dissection research mapping canine myofascial lines, focusing on three deep lines that connect to the tail. One runs from the tip of the tail along the full length of the spine to the back of the skull, while another is closely tied to the diaphragm. She explains how fascia transmits force and feeds sensory information back to the nervous system, and why restriction in one area, such as the tail, can affect functions as wide-ranging as movement and breathing. The paper then considers how osteopathic techniques might address those restrictions, along with the psychological side of recovery for a dog that suddenly relies more on its owner. Its closing argument about tail injuries and docking will give owners and practitioners plenty to think about.