Veterinarian Takes New Approach on “Kissing Spine”/Physical Therapy May Alleviate Back Pain in Affected Horses

Pittsburg, TX, September 18, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Keith Taraba, owner of Northeast Texas Equine Services, is investigating a novel physical therapy regimen for horses with back pain due to overriding of the dorsal spinous processes, or “kissing spine.” Instead of repeated back injections or costly surgery, a modified conditioning program is tailored to each horse. “Our goal is to not only prevent kissing spine by building support for the back, but to reverse the condition,” says Taraba.

This debilitating syndrome commonly affects equine athletes in speed disciplines such as barrel racing and racing thoroughbreds or quarters. Affected horses can show a variety of clinical signs from refusal of work or bucking to nonspecific lameness under saddle. Diagnosis of “kissing spine” is made by taking radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine and evaluating the spaces between adjacent dorsal spinous processes.

“This new approach to kissing spine has shown some very encouraging results,” Dr. Taraba said. A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of physical therapy as the treatment of choice for this condition is currently being planned.

About Northeast Texas Equine Services
Northeast Texas Equine Services is a referral equine sports medicine and elective surgical practice located in Pittsburg, TX. The owner, Dr. Keith Taraba, is a graduate of the University of Missouri and has over a decade of experience treating high-end performance horses.

For more information, go to: http://netexasequine.com