Many people are turning to Holistic Medicine for a more natural approach to caring for their animals. Often time's people mistakenly use the term Homeopathic in reference to Holistic Medicine; Homeopathic is related to Homeopathy, which is a modality of Holistic Medicine. There are many branches to Holistic Medicine. Some of the Modalities used in Holistic Medicine and Treatments are: Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Western Herbalism, Bach Flower remedies, NAET, and Chiropractic. Some of these are often used in combination with another treatment. Below we will give a brief explanation of some of the modalities of Holistic Medicine. Acupuncture: Many people are looking toward alternative methods for caring for their precious critters these days. Acupuncture is one of those methods that is growing in popularity, however many people have 1000s of questions about it. Here is a quick FAQ for some general information. The origins of Acupuncture are often argued as to if it began in Korea or China. Most believe that it began in China, however there is the theory that it started in Korea, traveled to China and then was re-introduced in Korea years later. The first needles were made of stone or fish bone around 3000 B.C.E. and around 430 B.C.E. Iron was used and then around 960 C.E. Bronze needles appeared. As for Veterinary Acupuncture, it was often used during these times on horses and cattle, as they were important animals to the Chinese. As acupuncture evolved in was incorporated into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is a complete and logical philosophy of medicine, developed in China over 3000 years ago. Here are some definitions of commonly used terms in acupuncture and TCM: Acupuncture: One part of TCM. Involves the inserting of needles into specific points of the body with the intention of a desired physiological response. These points can be manipulated by electricity, heat, pressure and other measures. Moxabustion: Chinese Mugwort is used for the application of heat to acupuncture points. Aquapuncture: Injecting acupuncture points with fluid. This causes the stimulation of the points when inserting the needles, the injected fluid also stimulates the deeper areas of the point and there can be a medicinal effect depending on what is injected into the point (often B12 or a Homeopathic preparation) Yin/Yang - Tao - This is the theory that all things have a relationship with each other - positive and negative. That within each other they contain male/female, light/dark, wet/dry, hot/cold, ect. QI - The vital energy force that everything that exists is made of. Qi acts to transform, transport, warm and hold into place. Similar to the basic chemistry lessons on electrons, protons, and neutrons that are interrelated and in constant motion with in the atom. Meridians: Pathways that the organ Qi flows through. Acupuncture points are found on these meridians. There are 14 Meridians; the additional two are the Governing Vessel (GV) and the Conception Vessel (CV). The points are located at specific areas along the meridians. Acupuncture is useful for a variety of illnesses and problems such as Musculoskeletal problems, some neurological problems, Gastrointestinal disorders, Immune System enhancement and problems, Seizures, Pain management, Dermatologic problems and many others. Acupuncture causes a variety of responses including: -> Pain reduction through neural and humoral responses. Such as the release of endorphins and the pressure relives pain phenomenon -> Increased blood circulation by the local tissue damage at the acupuncture site (where the needle is inserted) causes and increased flow of blood to the area -> Anti-inflammatory response by the release of natural steroids within the body (cortisal) -> Muscle Relaxation cures by a combination of the above mentioned responses. -> Increased Oxygenation -> Increasing the white blood cell and antibody production Commonly used Acupuncture Treatments: ~Needle: insertion of needles into points. ~Moxibustion: Application of heat ~Electro-acupuncture: application of electricity at a low voltage ~Laser-Puncture: Application of a laser light to points ~Aqua-Puncture: Injection of fluid into points ~Implants: surgical implantation of gold or silver beads to points. Many critters will experience side effects or reactions to acupuncture with in the fist 24 to 48 hours due to the change in energy flow - many will be tired or even hyper. Some animals will experience a rebound effect where they have a reaction where their symptoms actually worsen in the 72 hours following treatment and then become better after that 72 hour period. Acupuncture should only be performed by doctors certified in acupuncture. Please see the list of resources below to find an acupuncturist in your area. Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine was developed over a period of 3000 years. It is a very complex system that is based on balance. Disease is looked at as a problem of excess or deficiency in the various substances in the body, like fluids. TCM uses Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Tuina to treat these imbalances. In the Above section we discussed Acupuncture, here we will go over how doctors use the system of Chinese Medicine to diagnose disease and the application of Chinese Herbs and Tuina. In TCM the pulses, tongue condition and overall emotional state of the patient is taken into consideration. A doctor that practices TCM will feel the pulses of the patient. Surprisingly enough they do not all feel the same! They have variations in them, like how deep they feel, the speed and how they feel to the touch. The tongue is also looked at. The color, coating and shape of the tongue are noted and taken into consideration. They will also want to have a general idea of the overall emotional state of the patient and if there are certain things they tend to gravitate or move away from, like hot or cold. Once the doctor has isolated where the imbalance is occurring and what it contains they will devise a treatment plan. Chinese Herbs are a big part of TCM. TCM has perhaps the most complex and advanced uses of herbs of any system of Medicine. There are over 3500 different plant parts, minerals and animal part in the Chinese Materia Medica. Just like pharmaceutical medicines, each has specific uses, precautions, interactions and contraindications. Many modern drugs are developed from plants, so it is no surprise the effect that the herbs in TCM can have. Tuina is basically a system of manual manipulation. It includes acupressure, massage, bony manipulations and other aspects of physical therapy. They can be highly complex protocols or simple techniques. Often times the doctor will teach the clients the simple techniques for the clients to give body work at home to their fur babies. As with any system of medicine, TCM should only be practiced by those specifically trained. However, it is one of the safest systems of medicine, partly because of its 3000-year-old history. Chiropractic Care The word Chiropractic comes from the Greek word that translates into "done by hand". It is a form of therapy using spinal manipulation. There are therapies that are similar to today's Chiropractic care found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, making the roots of Chiropractic care more than 3000 years old. The goal of chiropractic care is to correct subluxations in the spine or areas that are not moving properly. It can be used as a preventative therapy and for the treatment of some disorders. Basically your vet will examine your pet and then gently manipulate the spine to correct any subluxations. Chiropractic care can be used to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses. Animals that have back problems, limping, and clumsiness or have had a traumatic accident may be candidates for chiropractic care. It is also a beneficial tool for animals that work, watching a dog perform agility or Schutzhund, it's no surprise they could benefit from a Chiropractic adjustment. Often times the results are amazing. Many veterinarians will use acupuncture in conjunction to chiropractic care for some disorders. Combining these modalities can have a very positive impact on the treatment plan. As with any holistic modality, Chiropractic care should only be preformed by an experienced and skilled veterinarian. Homeopathy Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is based on the law of familiars. Samuel Hahnemann developed the system about 200 years ago. He described the system by a Latin phrase that translates into "let likes, cure likes". The principle is to basically trigger the body into curing itself. For example if one presented to a Homeopathic vomiting terribly, instead of giving something to suppress the nausea they would treat with something that would normally cause a healthy person to vomit. However, the system takes into account all of the symptoms involved to select precisely the correct remedy. These remedies are made from hundreds of things like aconite, arsenic, snake venom and other compounds. Now those names may frighten the average person, but these remedies are so diluted that they present no danger. To many it's hard to believe that such a diluted substance would work, however the clinical experiences show that they work very well. There are two types of Homeopathic doctors, those that practice what is known as Classical Homeopathy and those that use is as a complementary therapy. Classical Homeopathy follows the exact system of Samuel Hahnemann and rarely combines other modalities. Other vets though very skilled in the uses of Homeopathy will use it in conjunction with other therapies. As with any medical system, your pets should only be treated by a veterinarian skilled in Homeopathy. Bach Flower Remedies Dr. Edward Bach, a bacteriologist, physician and homeopath, developed Bach Flower remedies in the early 20th century. He believed that flowers could have an effect on the emotions. He developed before his death 38 remedies, 37 from plants and one from rock water. He found that these remedies helped his patients by clearing negative emotions. Each remedy has specific effects and they can be used in combination with other remedies. Bach Flowers are helpful for times of stress, grief, fear, depression, anger and many other negative emotions. They can even be used to help dogs that work or compete, to be at top emotional form. One increasingly popular remedy is Rescue Remedy. This remedy is a combination of five remedies and can be used in all stressful situations. It is excellent to have on hand for yourself and your furbaby. It can be used before a trip to the vet, during a move or an emergency. However, Rescue Remedy should never be used on a dying animal as it may make their passing more difficult and even make them fight the transition. For more information on Bach Flower Remedies and how to use them with your pet, I would suggest reading: Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Helen Graham and Gregory Vlamis or Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Stefan Ball, Judy Howard. Both books can be ordered at Amazon.com. Veterinary NAET NAET or the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique is a system of diagnosis and treatment that is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is an alternative way to diagnose what allergies are present and treat them. To many seeing the treatment, it seems odd, however I have seen amazing results using Veterinary NAET. Allergies are commonly looked at as runny nose, runny eyes or itchy skin. However, they can manifest in many ways. Chronic digestive upset, chronic ear infections and many other symptoms are often related to allergies. Unfortunately today allergies are all too common to our pets. Allergies are not always caused by or surface due to common allergens. Periods of stress, surgery, traumatic injury, environmental changes, vaccines and household changes can cause allergies to surface. Also constant exposure to some things will cause after time an allergy to develop. An animal can live for years with no allergies and then develop serious allergies. NAET uses muscle response testing and acupressure to diagnose and treat the allergies. The veterinary will have an assistant hold your pet while using a vial of a substance pressed to your pet they will use the Muscle Response Testing to see if your pet is sensitive to the substance. For those substances that your pet is sensitive to they will do a treatment by stimulating the spinal nerves with acupressure. They will also give you instructions to avoid that substance for a time period. Sound strange? Well, I assure you it does look somewhat strange. But, having seen animals that many veterinary allergists had given up on recover it is an amazing treatment. I was fortunate enough to have learned about the treatment and see the results on many patients. To find a vet that practices NAET in your area or learn more, visit www.vetnaet.com. Western Herbs Western Herbs are also used in Holistic Medicine. Traditionally Western Herbalist are training in the use and identification of herbs found in the Americas. Unfortunately it is a system that's history is muddy. I attended a conference once where a TCM doctor made reference that we killed all of our natural healers long ago and lost our way. There is some truth to this, in that during the witch trials many natural healers and herbalist were burned at the stake as witches. Western Herbs are prescribed much in the same way that Chinese Herbs are. The pharmacological actions, side effects, contraindications and interactions are all taken into consideration. In many cases herbs can take the place of pharmaceuticals for treatments. Herbs both Western and Chinese have a wide application for a variety of diseases and illness. With any Holistic practice, Western Herbs should only be administered under the care of your veterinarian. Links: How to find a practitioner: It is always a good idea to find vets that are members and have certifications in the areas that they practice. This insures that your vet has had the necessary education to practice these modalities. This is the site of the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association. You can find member vets and also see what branches of Holistic Medicine they practice. A valuable resource. This is the site for the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. You can find veterinarians that practice Homeopathy here. This is the site for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Association - find a Veterinary Acupuncturist internationally and in the US. This is the site for information on veterinary NAET, tons of information and you can locate a practitioner. This is the site for the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. American Association of Veterinary Acupuncture International Veterinary Acupuncture Directory - links to various international acupuncture associations. Informational Sites: Articles and information. They are currently updating the site. They have a holistic discussion board as well. Animal Natural Health Site - Dr. Pitcairn's site T-touch information. Dr. Edward Bach Center - info on Bach Flowers for pets. If you want to read some in-depth things on acupuncture. List of resources addresses. Books for information on Holistic and Natural Pet Care: Natural Health for Dogs and Cats Pitcairn, Dr.Richard and Susan The Barf Diet Billinghurst, Dr. Ian Grow your Pup with Bones Billinghurst, Dr. Ian Foods Pets Die For Martin, Ann Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat Levy, Juliet de Bairacli Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats Dr. Shawn Messonnier The Natural Dog Dr. Mary L. Brennan |
Many people are turning to Holistic Medicine for a more natural approach to caring for their animals. Often time's people mistakenly use the term Homeopathic in reference to Holistic Medicine; Homeopathic is related to Homeopathy, which is a modality of Holistic Medicine. There are many branches to Holistic Medicine. Some of the Modalities used in Holistic Medicine and Treatments are: Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Western Herbalism, Bach Flower remedies, NAET, and Chiropractic. Some of these are often used in combination with another treatment. Below we will give a brief explanation of some of the modalities of Holistic Medicine. Acupuncture: Many people are looking toward alternative methods for caring for their precious critters these days. Acupuncture is one of those methods that is growing in popularity, however many people have 1000s of questions about it. Here is a quick FAQ for some general information. The origins of Acupuncture are often argued as to if it began in Korea or China. Most believe that it began in China, however there is the theory that it started in Korea, traveled to China and then was re-introduced in Korea years later. The first needles were made of stone or fish bone around 3000 B.C.E. and around 430 B.C.E. Iron was used and then around 960 C.E. Bronze needles appeared. As for Veterinary Acupuncture, it was often used during these times on horses and cattle, as they were important animals to the Chinese. As acupuncture evolved in was incorporated into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is a complete and logical philosophy of medicine, developed in China over 3000 years ago. Here are some definitions of commonly used terms in acupuncture and TCM: Acupuncture: One part of TCM. Involves the inserting of needles into specific points of the body with the intention of a desired physiological response. These points can be manipulated by electricity, heat, pressure and other measures. Moxabustion: Chinese Mugwort is used for the application of heat to acupuncture points. Aquapuncture: Injecting acupuncture points with fluid. This causes the stimulation of the points when inserting the needles, the injected fluid also stimulates the deeper areas of the point and there can be a medicinal effect depending on what is injected into the point (often B12 or a Homeopathic preparation) Yin/Yang - Tao - This is the theory that all things have a relationship with each other - positive and negative. That within each other they contain male/female, light/dark, wet/dry, hot/cold, ect. QI - The vital energy force that everything that exists is made of. Qi acts to transform, transport, warm and hold into place. Similar to the basic chemistry lessons on electrons, protons, and neutrons that are interrelated and in constant motion with in the atom. Meridians: Pathways that the organ Qi flows through. Acupuncture points are found on these meridians. There are 14 Meridians; the additional two are the Governing Vessel (GV) and the Conception Vessel (CV). The points are located at specific areas along the meridians. Acupuncture is useful for a variety of illnesses and problems such as Musculoskeletal problems, some neurological problems, Gastrointestinal disorders, Immune System enhancement and problems, Seizures, Pain management, Dermatologic problems and many others. Acupuncture causes a variety of responses including: -> Pain reduction through neural and humoral responses. Such as the release of endorphins and the pressure relives pain phenomenon -> Increased blood circulation by the local tissue damage at the acupuncture site (where the needle is inserted) causes and increased flow of blood to the area -> Anti-inflammatory response by the release of natural steroids within the body (cortisal) -> Muscle Relaxation cures by a combination of the above mentioned responses. -> Increased Oxygenation -> Increasing the white blood cell and antibody production Commonly used Acupuncture Treatments: ~Needle: insertion of needles into points. ~Moxibustion: Application of heat ~Electro-acupuncture: application of electricity at a low voltage ~Laser-Puncture: Application of a laser light to points ~Aqua-Puncture: Injection of fluid into points ~Implants: surgical implantation of gold or silver beads to points. Many critters will experience side effects or reactions to acupuncture with in the fist 24 to 48 hours due to the change in energy flow - many will be tired or even hyper. Some animals will experience a rebound effect where they have a reaction where their symptoms actually worsen in the 72 hours following treatment and then become better after that 72 hour period. Acupuncture should only be performed by doctors certified in acupuncture. Please see the list of resources below to find an acupuncturist in your area. Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine was developed over a period of 3000 years. It is a very complex system that is based on balance. Disease is looked at as a problem of excess or deficiency in the various substances in the body, like fluids. TCM uses Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Tuina to treat these imbalances. In the Above section we discussed Acupuncture, here we will go over how doctors use the system of Chinese Medicine to diagnose disease and the application of Chinese Herbs and Tuina. In TCM the pulses, tongue condition and overall emotional state of the patient is taken into consideration. A doctor that practices TCM will feel the pulses of the patient. Surprisingly enough they do not all feel the same! They have variations in them, like how deep they feel, the speed and how they feel to the touch. The tongue is also looked at. The color, coating and shape of the tongue are noted and taken into consideration. They will also want to have a general idea of the overall emotional state of the patient and if there are certain things they tend to gravitate or move away from, like hot or cold. Once the doctor has isolated where the imbalance is occurring and what it contains they will devise a treatment plan. Chinese Herbs are a big part of TCM. TCM has perhaps the most complex and advanced uses of herbs of any system of Medicine. There are over 3500 different plant parts, minerals and animal part in the Chinese Materia Medica. Just like pharmaceutical medicines, each has specific uses, precautions, interactions and contraindications. Many modern drugs are developed from plants, so it is no surprise the effect that the herbs in TCM can have. Tuina is basically a system of manual manipulation. It includes acupressure, massage, bony manipulations and other aspects of physical therapy. They can be highly complex protocols or simple techniques. Often times the doctor will teach the clients the simple techniques for the clients to give body work at home to their fur babies. As with any system of medicine, TCM should only be practiced by those specifically trained. However, it is one of the safest systems of medicine, partly because of its 3000-year-old history. Chiropractic Care The word Chiropractic comes from the Greek word that translates into "done by hand". It is a form of therapy using spinal manipulation. There are therapies that are similar to today's Chiropractic care found in Traditional Chinese Medicine, making the roots of Chiropractic care more than 3000 years old. The goal of chiropractic care is to correct subluxations in the spine or areas that are not moving properly. It can be used as a preventative therapy and for the treatment of some disorders. Basically your vet will examine your pet and then gently manipulate the spine to correct any subluxations. Chiropractic care can be used to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses. Animals that have back problems, limping, and clumsiness or have had a traumatic accident may be candidates for chiropractic care. It is also a beneficial tool for animals that work, watching a dog perform agility or Schutzhund, it's no surprise they could benefit from a Chiropractic adjustment. Often times the results are amazing. Many veterinarians will use acupuncture in conjunction to chiropractic care for some disorders. Combining these modalities can have a very positive impact on the treatment plan. As with any holistic modality, Chiropractic care should only be preformed by an experienced and skilled veterinarian. Homeopathy Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is based on the law of familiars. Samuel Hahnemann developed the system about 200 years ago. He described the system by a Latin phrase that translates into "let likes, cure likes". The principle is to basically trigger the body into curing itself. For example if one presented to a Homeopathic vomiting terribly, instead of giving something to suppress the nausea they would treat with something that would normally cause a healthy person to vomit. However, the system takes into account all of the symptoms involved to select precisely the correct remedy. These remedies are made from hundreds of things like aconite, arsenic, snake venom and other compounds. Now those names may frighten the average person, but these remedies are so diluted that they present no danger. To many it's hard to believe that such a diluted substance would work, however the clinical experiences show that they work very well. There are two types of Homeopathic doctors, those that practice what is known as Classical Homeopathy and those that use is as a complementary therapy. Classical Homeopathy follows the exact system of Samuel Hahnemann and rarely combines other modalities. Other vets though very skilled in the uses of Homeopathy will use it in conjunction with other therapies. As with any medical system, your pets should only be treated by a veterinarian skilled in Homeopathy. Bach Flower Remedies Dr. Edward Bach, a bacteriologist, physician and homeopath, developed Bach Flower remedies in the early 20th century. He believed that flowers could have an effect on the emotions. He developed before his death 38 remedies, 37 from plants and one from rock water. He found that these remedies helped his patients by clearing negative emotions. Each remedy has specific effects and they can be used in combination with other remedies. Bach Flowers are helpful for times of stress, grief, fear, depression, anger and many other negative emotions. They can even be used to help dogs that work or compete, to be at top emotional form. One increasingly popular remedy is Rescue Remedy. This remedy is a combination of five remedies and can be used in all stressful situations. It is excellent to have on hand for yourself and your furbaby. It can be used before a trip to the vet, during a move or an emergency. However, Rescue Remedy should never be used on a dying animal as it may make their passing more difficult and even make them fight the transition. For more information on Bach Flower Remedies and how to use them with your pet, I would suggest reading: Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Helen Graham and Gregory Vlamis or Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Stefan Ball, Judy Howard. Both books can be ordered at Amazon.com. Veterinary NAET NAET or the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique is a system of diagnosis and treatment that is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is an alternative way to diagnose what allergies are present and treat them. To many seeing the treatment, it seems odd, however I have seen amazing results using Veterinary NAET. Allergies are commonly looked at as runny nose, runny eyes or itchy skin. However, they can manifest in many ways. Chronic digestive upset, chronic ear infections and many other symptoms are often related to allergies. Unfortunately today allergies are all too common to our pets. Allergies are not always caused by or surface due to common allergens. Periods of stress, surgery, traumatic injury, environmental changes, vaccines and household changes can cause allergies to surface. Also constant exposure to some things will cause after time an allergy to develop. An animal can live for years with no allergies and then develop serious allergies. NAET uses muscle response testing and acupressure to diagnose and treat the allergies. The veterinary will have an assistant hold your pet while using a vial of a substance pressed to your pet they will use the Muscle Response Testing to see if your pet is sensitive to the substance. For those substances that your pet is sensitive to they will do a treatment by stimulating the spinal nerves with acupressure. They will also give you instructions to avoid that substance for a time period. Sound strange? Well, I assure you it does look somewhat strange. But, having seen animals that many veterinary allergists had given up on recover it is an amazing treatment. I was fortunate enough to have learned about the treatment and see the results on many patients. To find a vet that practices NAET in your area or learn more, visit www.vetnaet.com. Western Herbs Western Herbs are also used in Holistic Medicine. Traditionally Western Herbalist are training in the use and identification of herbs found in the Americas. Unfortunately it is a system that's history is muddy. I attended a conference once where a TCM doctor made reference that we killed all of our natural healers long ago and lost our way. There is some truth to this, in that during the witch trials many natural healers and herbalist were burned at the stake as witches. Western Herbs are prescribed much in the same way that Chinese Herbs are. The pharmacological actions, side effects, contraindications and interactions are all taken into consideration. In many cases herbs can take the place of pharmaceuticals for treatments. Herbs both Western and Chinese have a wide application for a variety of diseases and illness. With any Holistic practice, Western Herbs should only be administered under the care of your veterinarian. Links: How to find a practitioner: It is always a good idea to find vets that are members and have certifications in the areas that they practice. This insures that your vet has had the necessary education to practice these modalities. This is the site of the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association. You can find member vets and also see what branches of Holistic Medicine they practice. A valuable resource. This is the site for the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. You can find veterinarians that practice Homeopathy here. This is the site for the International Veterinary Acupuncture Association - find a Veterinary Acupuncturist internationally and in the US. This is the site for information on veterinary NAET, tons of information and you can locate a practitioner. This is the site for the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. American Association of Veterinary Acupuncture International Veterinary Acupuncture Directory - links to various international acupuncture associations. Informational Sites: Articles and information. They are currently updating the site. They have a holistic discussion board as well. Animal Natural Health Site - Dr. Pitcairn's site T-touch information. Dr. Edward Bach Center - info on Bach Flowers for pets. If you want to read some in-depth things on acupuncture. List of resources addresses. Books for information on Holistic and Natural Pet Care: Natural Health for Dogs and Cats Pitcairn, Dr.Richard and Susan The Barf Diet Billinghurst, Dr. Ian Grow your Pup with Bones Billinghurst, Dr. Ian Foods Pets Die For Martin, Ann Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat Levy, Juliet de Bairacli Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats Dr. Shawn Messonnier The Natural Dog Dr. Mary L. Brennan |
