TCVM is a term adapted and expanded from the human medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine and it refers to an ancient medical system developed in China to treat animals. An important concept in TCVM is the flow of energy (also known as Qi) within the body. TCVM has four treatment modalities that include Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Food Therapy, and Tui-na (medical massage therapy). Although it has been practiced for millennia, it continued to evolve and integrated into current research. TCVM is often used as a complementary therapy and the best results are obtained if used in conjunction with Western Veterinary Medicine. Both medical systems have their own strengths and weaknesses and using both will help that strengths compensate for weaknesses.
In TCVM, a disease process starts if the flow of energy is disrupted. Therefore, illness is considered an imbalance in the body, and the diagnosis requires the identification of the pattern of the disharmony. This will not only include signs of the disease itself, but also the relationship with the temperament, age, sexual activity, and environment of the animal. This holistic approach allows us to examine a patient as a “whole” with interconnected functions.
Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment therapy that involves the stimulation of specific points that are located on Channels where the Qi (or life force) flows in the body. The stimulation is typically achieved through the insertion of special needles, but other methods can be used such as aquapuncture/hemoacupuncture (injection of special fluids), laser, and others. The healing response allows use of this method for many ailments, but it will not cure every condition.
Acupuncture & Your Pet
For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to promote balance in the body’s total energy system and ability to heal. In all animals there are precise locations on or near the surface of the body known as acupuncture points; these points, when stimulated, may produce changes in the body’s internal organs and functions. Traditionally, inserting fine stainless steel, gold, or sterling silver needle into the point causes a specific desired effect. Other methods of stimulation include the application of heat, electricity, laser light, or injection. Veterinary acupuncture utilizes both the ancient theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the western observations of physiological response and correlation of effect, in the selection of acupuncture points to treat.
The ancient theories of TCM describe the body as having a network of energy channels, called meridians, which conduct the flow of Qi – the body’s sustaining energy force. Qi regulates bodily functions as it flows to and through all parts of the physical body. When Qi flows in a smooth harmonious manner, health is the result.
The healthy flow of Qi through the meridian channels may be disrupted by any number of things, such as:
• Advanced age
• Chronic injury
• Sudden trauma
• Environmental/actors such as heat, cold, wind or toxin(s)
• Poor or inappropriate nutrition
• Inadequate exercise or overexertion
• Insufficient rest
• Genetic weakness
• Stress
Whenever Qi becomes disrupted imbalances occur and disease may result. The flow of Qi may be influenced by the stimulation of acupuncture points. Qi may be nourished by proper food, herbs, exercise, and body manipulation. The stimulation of acupuncture points by needles or other means is an attempt to re-establish the proper balance or flow of Qi throughout the body. The use of herbs, nutritional support, and exercise is implemented in an attempt to assist the body in obtaining the appropriate Qi it must acquire from its environment. Acupuncture helps to reset the energy system “circuit board” by balancing the flow of Qi within the body.
The use of veterinary acupuncture has been shown to:
Provide generalized oxygenation and increased blood flow to specific areas of treatment. Aid production of endogenous cortisone and other anti-inflammatory secretions. Release the internal production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Stimulate immunity by increasing white blood cell count and antibody production. Acupuncture’s influence on the body’s nervous system is such that it may inhibit pain and increase cardiac output, as well as stimulate bone healing, and suppression of the cough reflex. Several theories have been used to explain the effects produced by the treatment of acupuncture, but none of these theories, standing alone, is able to explain the effects observed.
Acupuncture can be the only method of choice, or it may be combined with other treatment modalities such as chiropractic, herbal or nutritional support. Acupuncture may also be combined with more conventional western treatment modalities to enhance the body’s response to the treatment.
Pregnant animals not yet ready for labor are not good candidates for acupuncture. Animals with high fever should not be treated solely with acupuncture, but can.be combined with appropriate antibiotic and/or herbal treatment which can accelerate healing and help decrease discomfort. While acupuncture works harmoniously with most other forms of treatment, certain drugs can significantly alter the effects of acupuncture. One should always make sure that the acupuncturist is aware of what drugs the animal is taking when brought in for treatment. Ideally, vaccinations should not be given during the treatment period.
There is a limit to how much acupuncture will help an animal. It may be that the disease or trauma has progressed beyond the point where acupuncture can arrest or reverse the damage, and it can do is provide supportive care and symptomatic relief.
In order to enhance the benefit of the acupuncture treatment, one should avoid:
• Heavy feeding
• Heavy exercise
• Bathing for three hours before and after treatment
The animal should be allowed to receive plenty of rest after treatment so that its body may achieve the maximum benefit of the treatment. Animals may exhibit reactions to acupuncture treatments for 24-48 hours afterward: they may exhibit no immediate change or may become very sleepy or hyperactive probably due to sudden changes in the energy flows within their body. None of these outcomes is cause for alarm. One must be sure to continue with the prescribed medications. To help with future treatments, the owner should make note of any change in the animal’s attitude, gait, alertness, appetite, bowel, and urinary movements. All of these signs direct the acupuncturist in the correct direction for future treatments.
There are occasions following an acupuncture treatment when the animal will exhibit an “aggravation” during which time its symptoms seem to worsen for up to 72 hours, followed by gradual improvement. This rebound effect may be seen as a good sign, usually indicating that an energetic reaction is occurring. Usually, there is nothing required except to wait until it passes.
There are several other rare complications associated with acupuncture treatments: The breaking of a needle while in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, which may be remedied by nothing more complicated than minor surgery, hematoma formation, which is the pooling of blood from a punctured blood vessel; striking a nerve during the placement of an acupuncture needle; and very rarely, only under deep needle insertion, an organ may be punctured.
Before pursuing treatment with acupuncture, a physical examination complete with a.full medical history is performed, occasionally involving laboratory tests or x-rays. There are some conditions for which single acupuncture treatment is all that is required. In most instances, however, there are multiple treatments spread over weeks or even months to reserve some chronic conditions. For more involved treatments, we ask that the client be willing to commit to a minimum of three acupuncture treatments in order to give a chance for the improvement to be seen. The more traditional Chinese approach requires six treatments before there may be any improvement. Typically, those acupuncture treatments are spread weekly, but occasionally they may be required two times weekly or every two weeks, depending upon the animal’s condition. As the animal responds to the treatments, the length of time that the treatment remains effective is noted, and the treatment intervals may become longer, or possibly treatment is no longer necessary. For the maximum effect to be maintained, chronic conditions may require treatment monthly or several times per year, once the initial response level has peaked.
During the acupuncture treatment itself, most animals exhibit little or no pain or discomfort. Most of our patients will lie down during treatment with their owners holding them, and take a nap. A few animals, with a very high anxiety level or extreme fear reactions to being confined in a veterinary office, require more coaxing to be still. It is only in extraordinary circumstances that we chemically restrain the animal. The treatment itself may last ten seconds to thirty minutes, the average treatment being twenty minutes.
Herbal Medicine for Pets
Herbal Medicine is the use of different herbal ingredients in particular combinations of formulas developed to treat disease patterns. Many of these formulas were developed and used for centuries in China with great results.
Pet Food Therapy
Food Therapy is the use of food or a diet as part of a treatment plan and it is formulated for the specific disharmony pattern. It is based on the idea that every food has its particular energetic characteristic.
Tui-Na (Medical Massage)
Tui-na is a Chinese medical massage therapy used for centuries and it requires specific manipulations that help stimulate acupuncture points and channels improving the circulation of Qi in the body.
