What is TCVM?
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes in balance and the body`s ability to heal and maintain homeostasis and health given the right conditions.
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TCVM understands that the body is an integrated energetic structure and that disturbances of energy flow anywhere within the body have an impact on the whole organism. So the disease is a reflection of imbalanced energy and therefore requires harmonizing. By using tools such as acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal, and food therapy the goal is to promote health and prevent disease
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TCVM and WVM (Western Veterinary Medicine) are different ways of looking at the world and both have its own strengths and weaknesses. Western medicine is dealing well with acute diseases and has advanced surgical techniques while TCM can be very beneficial for chronic diseases with which western medicine often struggles.
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TCM being very individualized medicine in nature has a great potential for identification of potential future issues and preventing disease, also can help reduce or avoid some of the side effects of Western drugs. In the end, through the integration of those two systems, we may strengthen the treatment process and maximize the final positive effect. After all „the healing comes from nature, not from the physician”. We support the healing process using our knowledge and skills.
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years in TCM for humans and animals. Tiny, sterile needles are inserted at specific points along the meridians in the skin that correspond to different organs, ailment treatments, and systems that help balance the body. Stimulating certain points is releasing serotonin, Bendorphins, decreasing pain, minimize inflammation, and unblock trapped Qi. Qi should flow easily in healthy bodies so the practitioner's goal is to get those blocks removed.
What does it treat?
Acupuncture is treating and supporting the body in healing itself from pain, lack of energy, immunosuppression, mobility issues, arthritis, gastro-intestinal issues, seizures, side effects of chemotherapy amongst many others. Promotes overall health and longevity.
Use of acupuncture
Mostly known for its use in geriatric animal conditions like osteoarthritis and weakness but the uses are much wider:
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for prevention of conditions associated with specific constitution, breed, age
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musculoskeletal problems” muscle soreness, back/shoulder/knee/other joints pain, Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament damage, muscle wastage, weakness
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neurological disorders: intervertebral disc disease, seizures, nerve paralysis
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gastrointestinal problems: diarrhea, vomiting, regurgitation, reflux, anorexia, colic, constipation, IBD, colitis, pancreatitis
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other conditions like: asthma, cough, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, dry eye, urinary incontinence, cystitis, skin problems, chronic ear infections, allergies, chronic kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, Cushing`s disease, thyroid issues,
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behavioral problems like separation anxiety, noise phobia, sleep disturbance
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cancer and hospice care, reducing chemotherapy side effects, improving quality of life, immunostimulation
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performance enhancements
How does an acupuncture session looks like for my pet?
I treat my patients at their homes, in a quiet room where they are comfortable and relaxed. After an examination and taking as thorough a history as possible, I make a diagnosis and a treatment plan. I make a selection of treatment points and start inserting needles starting from points that are tolerated best and then I observe my patient and go as far as they are comfortable with. Usually, 5-25 needles are used that ideally should stay inserted for 20-30 minutes. Some patients may need distraction and your calming presence while needles are being placed as some points can be more sensitive and tender especially if there is a local pain presence. The reaction to insertion is actually positive and it is called „De-Qi” and is a sign of movement of energy – unblocking meridian. Once needles are in place we want to allow our patients to relax and have a moment to themselves, after all, we are doing it all for them. Think of it as a treatment in the spa, it is a „me” time so there should be as few distractions as possible. And so some patients will relax and may even take a nap but some may like to sniff and walk around the room and so will need our supervision and control so the needles could stay in place. Some that are especially anxious may need your assistance and comforting touch, you may need to hold them on your lap. The point always is to try not to interrupt their session.
What is the De-Qi response?
Otherwise known as „arrival of Qi”, it is the effect experienced as a result of the Meridian`s transmission of the acupuncture stimulation. It manifests in different ways for each individual. It may feel like tingling, heat, itch, soreness, pressure, heaviness in the local region or in a more distant location along the meridian. The human patients can describe it to their practitioner but in veterinary acupuncture, we rely on observation of the patient reaction: muscle twitching, flinching, relaxation or the opposite – attempts to bite. The therapeutic results are closely related to De-Qi response, without it there would be less benefit from the treatment. Achieving the response means we stimulated the Qi flow which is the whole point of treatment.
Food Therapy
TCVM has long recognized the importance of food therapy in the treatment and prevention of illness. Therefore it plays a big role in the treatment plan and if implemented can greatly benefit the patient. A homemade whole food diet is recommended and ideally should be used alongside acupuncture and herbs to achieve the best results. Diet is composed based on the Traditional Chinese Food Energetics classification and TCVM diagnosis.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal therapy can be used alongside acupuncture and/or food therapy as well as on its own. It potentiates the effects of other techniques making it that much more powerful and very effective as a sole agent too.