Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
The starting point for any treatment is an exam and a diagnosis. An initial TCVM exam will include history, problem list, tongue and pulse analysis, physical exam, body temperature exam and a scan of diagnostic points. This then allows us to determine the proper course of treatment.
The goal of a TCVM diagnosis is to provide a treatment plan that promotes smooth flow of the correct amount of Qi (energy) and blood through the body. Chinese medicine believes when these are flowing in sufficient, balanced quantites the body is healthy and able to care for itself.
The TCVM exam uses several different systems to determine a pattern. Many things a traditional Western Veterinarian might consider different problems may be seen as a specific pattern by a TCVM practitioner.
It should be noted -- this is NOT a Western Veterinary exam or a lameness exam. A TCVM exam will give a TCVM diagnosis, not a Western Veterinary diagnosis. It may provide clues of where to start on a veterinary exam or a chiropractic exam, and a veterinary exam or chiropractic exam can definitely be used to help make a TCVM diagnosis but they all look at the same animal from different perspectives.
Once a diagnosis is determined, it will be decided if acupuncture alone, with herbs or additional treatment options are indicated.
For a list of conditions treated with TCVM see EQUINE ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture - Equine acupuncture
Once a treatment plan is determined, several methods may be used to treat an acupuncture point:
- Acupressure-- massaging the point
- Dry needle-- needle stimulation only
- Aquapuncture-- injecting an acupuncture point with a fluid to get a long stimulation time.
- Hemopuncture-- letting blood flow from a point
- Electroacupuncture-- stimulating a point with electricity (TENS unit)
- Cold Laser-- using laser light to stimulate a point
- Moxabustion-- heating herbs over a point
Usually a combination of these methods is used. Depending on the condition, a treatment plan will be set to determine how often acupuncture is used, what herbs, if any, are indicated to help treat the condition and any additional therapies will be discussed.
Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine offers an excellent at home therapy option that provides fantastic results. The key is however, the diagnosis. Chinese herbal treatments are targeted to specific disease patterns and conditions. For example, there are several different patterns that can cause lameness. Using the incorrect formula will provide less than optimal results.
Food Therapy
Correct feeding practices can help maintain health and/or correct problems. This may be addressed as part of the treatment plan.
Tui-na
This Chinese based system is a mix of chiropractic, massage, acupressure and meridian therapy. Some techniques may be used in treating your animal. In virtually every case, a complete chiropractic exam is recommended.