TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) is an extension of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is used to treat humans. What makes TCVM unique is that it has been integrative for more than 2,000 years, meeting the comprehensive needs of not only the individual patient but also the caregiver.

Integrative care provides multiple benefits, especially for these patients (see sidebar). It allows for alternative choices for patients that cannot tolerate conventional care. It may decrease the amount and frequency or even eliminate the need of prescribed medications that have unwanted side effects. In many cases, it manages or decreases pain and slows the progression of disease processes. Integrative care may also provide a faster and better recovery from surgeries or traumas and allow the patient to reclaim the activities of daily living. Ultimately, most integrative choices have a low risk of side effects when provided properly, and many options allow the pet owner to participate in the care of their pet.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is a medical system that has been used to treat animals in China for thousands of years. This system was designed by prehistoric people who tried to understand and treat disease in domestic animals. This information has been passed down through generations and thus continues to grow with time. Today, TCVM in the Western world differs from its Eastern roots in two main ways. First, many of the acupoints and meridians used in animals are derived from human literature. Second, veterinary acupuncture in China has been mainly used for agricultural species where here in the west we have adapted it more completely for our companion species.

Acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of specific points on the body resulting in a therapeutic effect. Modern research shows that acupuncture points are located at areas with high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, blood vessels, and lymphatics. Stimulation of these points promotes the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters causing pain relief and increased blood flow and drainage of the area.

Types of Acupuncture offered:

• Dry Needle

• Electro Acupuncture

• Aqua acupuncture

Treatment is based on individual animal and TCVM pattern diagnosis.