About Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are part of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), which is a system of medicine that has been practiced on both humans and animals for over 3,000 years. It can be used to help treat a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, weakness, degenerative joint disease, asthma, kidney disease and behavioral problems. Acupuncture and TCVM are best used as a complement to traditional western veterinary medicine and is often used when pets can no longer tolerate, are not responding to, or are experiencing side effects from western medications. The goal of TCVM is to promote quality of life and to restore balance to the body by regulating the flow of qi. Qi is the main life force and can be defined as bio-energy. The qi can be manipulated in many ways including using acupuncture points, which are points where the qi gathers under the skin. Chinese herbal medicines also have specific actions on qi to help to restore balance to the body.
We believe in Integrative Veterinary Medicine
We often rely upon western diagnostics to help achieve a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) diagnosis and we strive to use acupuncture, herbal medicine and laser therapy as complements to traditional western medicine. Our goal is to work with your veterinarian to offer additional therapeutic modalities outside of traditional western medicine. Although acupuncture, herbal medicine and laser therapy can sometimes be used as a substitute for western medicine, acupuncture is often recommended in conjunction with western therapies and diagnostics.
