What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic veterinary medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole patient including the body, mind, and spirit in an effort to achieve optimum health. Holistic healing attempts to eliminate the root causes of disease rather than just treating the symptoms. The holistic approach is gentle and minimally invasive. After a thorough exam and appropriate testing, a holistic veterinarian will choose the best combination of conventional and alternative (or complementary) therapies for each patient. Below are some of the many commonly-used therapies used by holistic veterinarians.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used in China for over 3500 years to maintain health and wellness in both humans and animals. While conventional Western medicine and Chinese medicine address the same physical disorders, they do so in very different ways. The doctor of Western medicine treats specific diseases or disorders, whereas the doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) attempts to identify and address the underlying cause of the disease. The goal of veterinary TCM is to restore the pet to a state of balance so they are able to remain healthy.
TCM includes herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, and body work. Herbal therapy and acupuncture are typically used together, as the combined effects are greater than using one of them alone. Chinese herbs can be used to treat most conditions recognized by conventional medicine. They can be used alone or in combination with other therapies or conventional prescriptions for an enhanced effect.
TCM herbs are especially helpful in the treatment of chronic diseases and conditions common to geriatric animals. They can be used to relieve pain, help improve and restore organ function, as well as strengthen and support the immune system. TCM herbal prescriptions are specific for the individual patient and are used to correct the root cause of an illness, not just to control the symptoms.
Our doctors have extensive training and experience in veterinary traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture for Dogs & Cats
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of therapy in the world and can effectively treat both psychological and physical problems. It is an especially useful in the treatment of conditions that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation, and pain. Acupuncture is also quite useful for strengthening the immune system as well as treating and preventing diseases. Having zero side effects, acupuncture is an excellent treatment for both chronic and acute conditions.
What can Acupuncture do for your pet?
For dogs and cats, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis.
- Neurological problems due to vertebral disc pathology
- Respiratory problems such as feline asthma
- Gastrointestinal problems
Scientifically proven to reduce pain
Numerous scientific studies have shown acupuncture to be particularly effective for reducing pain. By causing the release of endorphins into the blood stream of the patient, acupuncture can provide immediate relief. Acupuncture also causes increased blood flow to the affected area, allowing the body to naturally heal itself.
In a German study of people (The GERAC study), 300,000 patients suffering from chronic back pain, knee arthritis and migraine headaches were evaluated to compare acupuncture with the conventional treatments of steroids, physiotherapy, and other pain medications. The results showed that acupuncture was twice as effective in reducing pain as the conventional treatments.
The same acupuncture medicine used on people can also be used on pets with similar positive and lasting effects. At Sarasota Animal Medical Center, we always seek to utilize alternative, natural veterinary solutions whenever possible, as opposed to drugs that may be harmful.
If you’re interested in TCM for your pet contact us today to schedule your pet’s consultation!
Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine
Western herbal medicine is similar to TCM in that it also examines the patient for imbalances and seeks to bring the body back into a state of balanced health. Treatment is aimed at correcting the imbalance through proper lifestyle, diet and herbal therapy. Many of the herbs used in WHM can be found in both TCM and Ayurvedic medicine.
The History of Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine
The oldest known use of plants as a form of treatment dates back to prehistoric times, when herbs were discovered in graves over 60,000 years old. Ayurveda, developed in India over 5000 years ago, is considered to be the very first medical system known to man. Chinese medicine is likely the next system of medicine that was developed 3500 years ago.
Unfortunately, during the 20th century, due to pressure from the American Medical Association and drug companies, chemical drugs began to once again dominate the health industry. People felt that herbal medicine was no longer needed because all chemicals could be synthesized by extracting them from the plant.
Fortunately, since the 1960’s herbal medicine has experienced a resurgence in popularity, due primarily to its safety and cost. At Sarasota Animal Medical Center, we find that herbal medicine can often treat conditions where conventional medicine has failed.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is over 200 years old. It was first discovered by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700’s, when he became disenchanted with the current medical practices that he felt caused more harm than good. He began to seek a better, more natural method of curing disease.
His studies revealed that in many cases, symptoms are merely an expression of underlying disease and not the disease itself. Therefore, treating the symptoms alone does not cure the disease.
We believe that just treating the symptoms does not cure the disease
In conventional allopathic medicine, the symptom is viewed as the entire disease. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the symptom. This approach, however, often does not address the underlying cause of that symptom. In fact, the medicine given to eliminate the symptom can cause the disease to be pushed deeper into the body, potentially causing an even more serious disorder.
The basic principal of homeopathy is called the Law of Similars or “like cures like”. This means that a substance that would cause symptoms of disease at normal doses can help the body fight disease at homeopathic doses. Homeopathic medication helps the Life Force return to a state of balance, which facilitates healing from within.
Homeopathic remedies don’t act in the same way as conventional drugs. They act on a different level – an energetic level. They harness or stimulate the healing abilities that are always present in the body.
Western medicine, or conventional medicine, is based on a belief that we are only physical beings, not spiritual or energetic beings
Homeopathic theory holds that we are energetic beings, and the physical is actually secondary to that. Chinese medicine is based on the same idea of energy. They call it Qi, and Qi is not physical. This energy can be directed with needles to initiate healing.
The proper use of homeopathy requires years of study. Dr. Luther studied homeopathy at the Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy with Dr. Richard Pitcairn, who many consider to be the father of veterinary homeopathy. It is a rigorous year-long, post-graduate training course for veterinarians. With both Chinese medicine and homeopathy, it is extremely important that your veterinarian is well trained in these areas. Harm can be done by the uneducated practitioner.
Giving only the best care
At Sarasota Animal Medical Center, we believe that it is essential to give the body the tools it needs through the use of nutrition and proper energy medicine to heal itself. Every animal is different and it requires a skilled, experienced practitioner to determine the safest and best approach for their pet. You can feel confident that your best friend is in good hands at our hospital.
Here, we don't just treat the symptoms. We take time to truly understand the condition, resulting in better veterinary care.
Modern Drugs, Surgery, and Diagnostics
Holistic veterinarians often seek to blend standard therapies, such as drugs and surgery, with holistic methods. At Sarasota Animal Medical Center, we stay current on the latest advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics in order to provide a superior approach and outcome for our patients.