Complimentary Therapy
In the last decade the addition of complimentary therapies to traditional western medicine have become very popular. While western medicine can achieve amazing results and can often cure or control some of the most severe diseases around, there are some aspects of physiology that medications cannot improve on or replicate. Complimentary therapies such as laser therapy and acupuncture have well known and replicable results. This page will allow you to delve into the world of complimentary therapy and hopefully will help you get as excited about these modalities as were are here in the clinic! If you have any questions about these modalities, or are wondering if these may help your animals, please give us a call or send us an email!
Laser Therapy
Is laser therapy safe?
Laser therapy treatment is safe, painless and fast. Treatments to deeper tissues are administered in 5 to 10 minutes. Typically, even chronic patients exhibit improvement after 3 to 5 treatment sessions. Laser therapy utilizes the body’s own healing powers by stimulating cellular activity. Despite short treatment times, laser therapy treatments initiate a healing process that continues to actively reduce inflammation for up to 24 hours after treatment.There are no known side effects with this treatment.
How does laser therapy work?
The laser system sends photons, or packets of light energy, deep into tissue without damaging it. These photons are absorbed within the mitochondria of the cells and induce a chemical change called “photo-bio-modulation”. This light energy then inspires production of ATP in the cell. ATP is the fuel, or energy, cells need for repair and rejuvenation. Impaired or injured cells do not make this fuel at an optimal rate. Increased ATP production leads to healthier cells, healthier tissue, and healthier animals.
Will my animal benefit from laser therapy?
If your pet is feeling pain, has inflammation, or a wound, the laser is a sterile, pain-free, surgery-free, drug-free treatment. The laser is used to treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, numerous dermatological problems, and pain. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, the laser has been shown to provide relief and speed healing.
Laser therapy can be used to treat a number of conditions, including:
abcesses
soft tissue infection
anal sacculitis
aortic saddle thrombus
aural hematoma
elbow hygroma
fractures
gingivitis and periodontal disease
lick granuloma
acute muscle injury
spinal disease
arthritis
ear infections (chronic and acute)
perianal fistulas
skin infections
rhinitis/sinusitis
stomatitis
asthma
urinary tract disorders
wounds
Chronic, non healing wound
Total number of treatments: 3
Acute laceration
Total number of treatments: 5
Post surgery wound management
Total number of treatments: 6
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the arms of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). It originated in China over 3,000 years ago. Traditional acupuncture is the oldest, continually practiced medical system in the world. The fundamental principles of acupuncture are to treat the patient as an integrated body system, and to identify and remedy the root cause of disease, not simply treat the symptoms. It can be used to relieve pain or to improve the function of various organ systems in an animal's body.
In western medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by causing physiological changes. Acupuncture stimulates nerves, increases blood circulation, relieves muscle spasms and causes the release of hormones such as endorphins and cortisol. Acupoints are points that are located at areas where the nerves of the body come closer to the surface than any other area in the body. By inserting needles these acupoints, the nerves are stimulated and blocked energy (or Qi) is released and health is restored.
There are 14 major pathways that the Qi flows along. These pathways are known as meridians or channels and work to connect the acupoints together. These are combined with what are known as classical points - points that are not along any meridian but have been known for centuries. The Qi flows along the meridians in a very predicable way throughout the day and are connected to an internal organ - both an anatomical organ and a TCVM organ.
What to expect during your visit:
Our acupuncturist will spend time with you and your animal to get a whole picture of their day-to-day life and your concerns. Once that has taken place, your animal will be examined to assess various parameters that are associated with both typical western practices as well as with traditional Chinese veterinary medical practices to develop a whole health assessment, diagnostic and treatment plan. While acupuncture can accomplish amazing things, traditional diagnostics
and therapies for diseases will still be recommended.
If your animal already has a diagnosis it is possible for acupuncture to help them reduce or even stop the symptoms of the disease. In some cases it is possible for us to stop medications all together! There really are no limitations to what syndromes TCVM theory can treat. From diabetes to ear infections, bladder infections to cancer acupuncture and other TCVM modalities can help in your life.
The goal, no matter what the situation, with traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is to promote whole body health and restore balance to your animals system. However, just like anything it can take some time to see results. After one treatment your pet will not jump up and be back to normal again, it could take time and effort although it will relieve some pain instantly. If you have decided to do this, don’t rush the process. The longer the condition has been present, the longer it will take to resolve.
What to expect from a treatment:
The treatment course for each animal will vary. Some animals will need as little as one treatment; some will need lifelong therapy at varying increments. Most animals will need between 3 and 6 treatments either weekly or biweekly. Depending on the situation, it is possible that your pet will need to be seen at regular intervals (monthly to every few months) to make sure that their Qi is flowing properly. The initial assessment exam and treatment can take up to an hour; every routine treatment after that will last approximately 30 minutes.
Most animals accept acupuncture quite easily - they will often fall asleep during a session! Occasionally an animal will react to a needle, but it is rare for us to be completely unable to treat a patient.
