Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes acupuncture and herbs to help your pet’s body systems regain their natural balance. In holistic medicine, the disease is seen as an imbalance significant enough to overwhelm the system and result in physical and emotional symptoms. Once energy is strengthened and balance restored, the animal’s natural healing processes can take over.
Before beginning treatment, the acupuncturist will usually discuss with you some aspects of your pet’s health and lifestyle. In addition to symptoms of illness, personality traits, diet, and activity level are all often part of the holistic diagnostic picture. After a TCM diagnosis has been determined, treatment may begin.
Acupuncture for dogs and cats are often done in one-week intervals in the initial stages of treatment, although intervals may vary from patient-to-patient. In acute situations, the process can take time and patience is required. Often improvements in your pet’s behavior and symptoms are immediately noticeable – even while there are still energetic obstructions to work through. Over time, as the patient improves, acupuncture treatments become less frequent.
Depending on the diagnosis and stage of treatment, herbal medicines or supplements may be prescribed in addition to acupuncture.