Acupuncture is a technique from traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years. It consists of inserting very thin needles into specific pressure points of the body to promote healing, relieve pain, and release stress-relieving hormones and anti-inflammatory substances.
The benefits of acupuncture are numerous. Unlike medications and surgeries which tend to have negative side effects, the only side effects caused by acupuncture are positive. Below is a list of the positive results acupuncture can offer:
Although the needles may seem intimidating, the procedure is not painful at all for small animals, but conversely, it is very relaxing and some animals may even become sleepy as the therapy releases calming chemicals in their brains. Larger animals may experience some minor pain because the needles used to break through their skin must be accordingly larger. Once the needles are in place, they will experience no pain.
If your pet has any of the following conditions or experiences, acupuncture may be a great option for them:
As shown, acupuncture has wide capabilities to alleviate the side effects of a variety of ailments. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other treatment plans, such as medication or surgeries, without interfering. In fact, because surgery and medication may have uncomfortable side effects, acupuncture can be particularly useful when used in combination with them to promote well being and comfort for the pet.
Chinese herbal medicine has existed for about 5,000 years. Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, commonly referred to as TCVM, has also been used to treat animals for thousands of years and is based on the practice developed for humans. For comparison, modern medicine in its current form has only existed since the 19th century, a little more than 200 years. In modern medicine, advances are made in leaps and bounds - and there is better care for acute conditions that would normally result in death than ever before in history. But, the ancient practices developed by Chinese medicine through meticulous study of nature over thousands of years still have much to offer our animal friends.
Willowrun Veterinary Hospital welcomes the integration of the two schools of thought, in order to provide our clients and their pets with comprehensive and robust treatment opportunities. TCVM and Western medicine can complement each other well because each has what the other lacks. Western medicine acts much faster and is much better for treating acute problems. TCVM is better at treating not only the disease but the entire bodily system and has very few, if any, negative side effects.
Chinese herbal medicine is based on the study of herbs, or combinations of herbs, to treat particular disease patterns. The herbal ingredients are administered orally, often in a capsule or pill form for small animals such as dogs and cats.
Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful for many diseases, as long as they do not require an immediate surgery. If your pet has any of the following maladies, Chinese herbal medicine could be an excellent choice for them:
Located on S Brightleaf Blvd between E Wilson St and E Stevens St. Directly across from Harper's Flea Market Mall and next to The Mulch Yard.
Phone: 919-934-1504
