Integrative Medicine
Integrative Medicine and Evidence-Based Therapies
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), treats the pet as a whole, addressing the root causes of the symptoms and not just the symptoms themselves. Often times there are what appear to be several unrelated symptoms, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine, these symptoms will fall into one particular diagnostic pattern. The foundation of TCVM foundation rests upon the concept of energy, or Chi, the source of all life. Symptoms are thought to be an indicator of depleted energy, which is caused by toxins, lack of exercise, diet, stress, and other environmental factors. Treatment is designed to clear blocks, re-balance, and build energy.
Treatments We Practice
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment that has been used for centuries to promote healing and pain relief. At our clinic, we offer veterinary acupuncture to support pets dealing with chronic pain, arthritis, inflammation, mobility issues, and even digestive or neurological conditions.
Herbology
Each herbal medicine prescription is a cocktail of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. Herbal formulas date back hundreds to thousands of years and have been anecdotally “tested” on millions of humans. Herbals are very safe when used correctly.
Food Therapy
Food energy can be a key component in the resolution of clinical signs and symptoms. Food has an effect on digestive, metabolic, and physiologic processes. Formulated diets can address current disharmonies and diseases to bring the body back to balance.
Backed by Science
Cervical IVDD Treatments and Prognoses
Integrative medicine isn’t just quicker and more affordable- for certain diseases, it can be a more dependable treatment. Read about Sally the Mastiff’s road to recovery through integrative medicine, or check out a summary of this chart in plain English.
Grade | Clinical Signs | Prognosis for Western Medicine | Prognosis for Surgery | Prognosis for TCVM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pain, hyperesthesia | 90% | 90% | 95 to 100% |
| 2 | Ataxic, Wobbly, Weak, Paresis, Able to walk | 90% | 90% | 95 to 100% |
| 3 | Severe paresis, needs support to stand, able to move legs but not able to walk | 70% | 90% | 90 to 95% |
| 4 | Paralysis, not able to stand or walk, decreased or no bladder control, deep pain present | 50% | 80% | 75 to 90% |
| 5 | Paralysis, urinary and fecal incontinence, No Deep Pain | <5% | <24 hrs: 50% 24–48 hrs: 20% >48 hrs: 5% | 50 to 60% |
Common Questions
How many treatments are needed?
This depends on the nature, duration, and severity of the diseases. A series of 3 to 10 treatments can resolve many acute to chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may need monthly treatments over time.
How long are the treatments?
Each treatment session may take 40 to 60 minutes.
Do the treatments hurt?
Often pets show little to no response to acupuncture needles, and it is common for some animals to fall asleep during an acupuncture treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
This initial visit will consist of a physical exam that allows for a Traditional Chinese pattern diagnosis. A consult exam will address topics like tongue color, pulse, coat, skin, temperature sensitivities, energy level, personality type, etc. This exam is in-depth and usually lasts about 40 minutes to an hour. Often times needles are not used for the initial consult visit, but this is not always the case.
Book an appointment now with Otto using the bubble below
