History
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), although relatively new to the
Western world, is a medical system that has been used in China to treat animals for
thousands of years. It is an adaptation and extension of Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) used to treat humans. Speaking broadly, Chinese Medicine is a
complete body of thought and practice grounded in Chinese Daoist philosophy.
Though it can be traced back over two millennia in recorded history, it, like any
medical system, continues to evolve today, and current research on acupuncture
and herbal medicine is beginning to shed light on its mechanism of action.
Integration between East and West
TCVM is often viewed as a form of complementary therapy and is best when used
in conjunction with Western Veterinary Medicine (WVM). Both TCVM and WVM
have their own strengths and weaknesses. TCVM is a holistic approach that is
suited to assessing the well-being of the whole patient, and treatments are
generally non-invasive with few side effects. However, TCVM lacks the tools
necessary to pinpoint illness to specific disease-causing agents like pathogenic
bacteria or viruses, and treatments are better suited for chronic conditions than
acute ones. On the other hand, WVM utilizes the tools of modern science to
diagnose disease with great precision, and Western drugs and procedures are
powerful and fast-acting. However, its insistence on detailed diagnosis may come
at the expense of getting the larger picture. Furthermore, while modern medicine
can perform miracles for trauma and acute injuries, it has little to offer chronic
conditions like liver failure and atopy which can be treated effectively with
acupuncture and herbal medicine. In many ways, TCVM and WVM each have what
the other lacks. Thus, the best medical system involves the integration of the two
systems, so that the strengths of one can compensate for the weaknesses of the
other.
What to expect
At the initial visit with a CRCG expert certified veterinary acupuncturist, the medical history is reviewed and an examination is completed to determine the suitability of your dog or cat for acupuncture therapy. The prognosis and likely number of follow-up visits is discussed. Treatment in the clinic may involve dry needle acupuncture, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, aqua-puncture, massage, range of motion and stretching. Instruction will be given on at-home therapies such as acupressure, hot or cold packs, massage and stretching. The goal of therapy is always to improve the patient’s quality of life by providing the best available veterinary acupuncture and wellness services in a comfortable, caring atmosphere.