Traditional Chinese Medicine for Animals
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, or TCVM, is a comprehensive holistic framework that restores balance and enhances wellbeing by looking at the whole patient rather than the system. It has four pillars: Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Food therapy and Tui-Na, a form of medical massage. I am certified in all four and I usually use them in combination to gain maximum benefit.
Understanding your Animals Health
Health can be defined as a state of harmony of an animal with its internal and external environment. Health is complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.
The 4 pillars of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses fine sterile needles at specific anatomical points to prompt a healing response, and it is the pillar most people have heard of. Techniques can range from standard dry needling to electroacupuncture (mild electrical currents) or aquaacupuncture (injecting fluids like B12).
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbal medicine uses balanced formulas to treat specific diagnosis patterns. Around 80% of patients in traditional Chinese practice are treated with a combination of herbs and acupuncture herbs rather than with acupuncture alone. Our formulas contain no animal products and our suppliers work to GMP standards, with every finished batch tested for heavy metals, moisture and microbial content.
Food therapy treats
Food therapy treats the diet as part of the treatment rather than as an afterthought, matched to the individual animal and the pattern they are showing. Diets are customised to correct or prevent imbalances.
Tui-Na
Tui-Na is a hands-on manipulative therapy using pressure and movement along the same channels as acupuncture. It suits animals who will not tolerate needles, and I will often show owners some techniques to use at home.
Traditional Chinese Medicine with an Acupuncturist
An acupuncturist who practises Traditional Chinese Medicine will look at the whole animal and not just the diseased part. Consideration will be given to why the disease developed in the first place. This is why it is important for the first examination to take place with the animal in calm surroundings. It is important that a conventional Western medical diagnosis has been obtained prior to the commencement of acupuncture treatment. For example, it is natural for an animal with pain in its front legs and no discernible lameness to develop back pains. In this case, the back is the secondary problem. It is therefore first of all necessary to treat the pain in the front legs, but as well to include the compensatory mechanism: the back. A conventional medical diagnosis is required to determine the cause of the lameness. A Traditional Chinese diagnosis is performed supplementally. It is then possible to decide which form of treatment to use or whether to combine the two.
Treating Animals for Lameness
Lameness whose cause and localisation cannot be determined by conventional medicine can be successfully treated by acupuncture and chiropractic. However a lameness should always be subject to an examination by the conventional veterinary surgeon and be treated accordingly. Acupuncture and chiropractic can be performed subsequently to restore physiological muscle and ligament functions and help in the rehabilitation after surgical treatment.
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine Work?
Chinese medicine postulates a system of energy paths known as meridians, which run through an animal’s body in a network. There are twelve regular and eight extraordinary meridians. According to the traditional Chinese concept, a form of energy known as Qi flows through the meridians.
Just as the water flow can change in a river bed, the flow of energy is also susceptible to change. Energy obstructions within the meridian system cause pains, which can manifest themselves as muscular tension, back pain, lameness, or – in particular with horses – insubordination towards the rider.
What TCVM is used for?
TCVM can be used as part of a treatment plan for most conditions. The ones I am asked about most are:
- Lameness, arthritis and orthopaedic problems
- Back pain, disc problems and nerve injury
- Cancer support and palliative care
- Skin problems, including itchy skin and lick granuloma
- Digestive problems
- Epilepsy, seizures and stroke
- Keeping older animals comfortable and active
- Behavioural problems
Treatment is offered to dogs, cats and horses.
Scientific Evidence
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) say that clinical research on acupuncture has been conducted showing positive results in the treatment of animals and that the use of acupuncture is increasing. It acknowledges that acupuncture will not cure every condition but it can work very well in many cases. Where the animal is involved in any athletic endeavour, such as racing, jumping or showing, it can help to keep them in top physical condition.
In western medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. For example, it can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm and cause the release of hormones such as endorphins and cortisol.
The IVAS postulates that the American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery.
Many biochemical and signalling pathways have been identified as playing a direct role in how acupuncture achieves its clinical effects, but perhaps the most central pathway that acupuncture uses, one that helps explain how it is effective in such a diverse array of clinical areas, is that acupuncture has been demonstrated to directly initiate a process called purinergic signalling, a primitive and ubiquitous system in the body using adenosine and ATP for signalling and regulation in all tissues and organ systems.
References:
(Verkhratsky A, Burnstock G. Biology of purinergic signalling: Its ancient evolutionary roots, its omnipresence and its multiple functional significance. Bioessays 2014;36:697–705. doi:10.1002/bies.201400024)
(Burnstock G. Purinergic signaling in acupuncture. Science 2014.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is a holistic system that has been used on animals in China for over 2,000 years. Its four pillars are Acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, Food therapy and Tui-Na.
The formulas we use contain no animal extracts and no endangered species, and our suppliers work to GMP standards. Every finished batch is tested for heavy metals, moisture and microbial content. Because botanical ingredients possess potent therapeutic properties, and can vary in quality and quantity of individual recipes we advocate for their responsible use. We strongly recommend that the formulas are prescribed by a qualified veterinary professional who can accurately diagnose your animal and ensure the safety, suitability, and precise dosing for their specific medical condition. Over the counter recipes may be a formulation that doesn’t match our prescription.
Yes. We will make sure that everything we prescribe is compatible with your animals prescribed medication. Often it is possible to reduce conventional medication, it all depending on your dogs diagnosis and pattern. PLease let us know all the medication and supplements that your animal is taking so we can support it in the best way.
This depends on the problem and how long it has been there. Acute problems can shift within a short time – sometimes a treatment or two. Long-standing conditions can take longer. I like pet owners to update me frequently so we can adjust dosages or formulas to have a maximum effect.
Most formulas come as a powder or as small tablets and go in with food. Dogs generally take them without noticing. Cats can be fussier, and if a formula is refused we will have a discussion to find another way rather than leave you struggling with it.
No. They are two separate systems. TCVM uses acupuncture, whole herbal formulas, diet and manual therapy. Homeopathy works on entirely different principles. I do use homeopathy occasionally where it suitable, but it sits alongside TCVM rather than being part of it.
It is always beneficial to have a western diagnosis, however Traditional Chinese medicine has its own way of diagnosing and treating patterns. As we are an integrative practice we like to work alongside your conventional vet and if further western diagnostics are necessary we will ask them to do this. However, you do not have to have a diagnosis to be seen by us.
No. With your permission we will request the clinical records from your conventional practice so that we are all fully informed before treating. This is a legal requirement.