Many alternative therapies are traditional practices that have been used by non-western cultures for thousands of years—Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture or Indian Ayurvedic medicine, for example. Alternative medicine encompasses a wide variety of therapies and treatments that until recently have largely been practiced outside of mainstream western medicine. As many of these therapies demonstrate their usefulness, they have become more widely available and better understood, leading many to prefer the term "complementary medicine". This name acknowledges the view that alternative practices offer treatments that work with and complement conventional western medicine. Therapies termed "holistic" typically mean that the health care practitioner considers the whole animal, including physical, mental, and emotional aspects. As alternative medicine becomes an increasingly common component of veterinary medicine, it is important to remember that these therapies are not benign and can be harmful if practiced by untrained or poorly trained individuals. When choosing this pathway use the same discretion as you would in choosing any health care practitioner, these systems are no less difficult to learn and practice than conventional ones.

• Applications of Alternative Medicine
• When to Use Alternative Medicine
• Alternative Therapies
• Learn More
• Links

Applications of Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine offers excellent options for the treatment of animal athletes, for chronic conditions, or for geriatric care. Both dogs and horses have shown excellent responses to chiropractic manipulation, as well as acupuncture and herbal medicine. Chiropractic care provides great benefits for athletes of all species. Acupuncture can provide pain relief when dealing with arthritis.

While cats’ natural flexibility means that they don’t often injure themselves, they are good candidates for chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Geriatric cats respond very well to Chinese herbal medicine. All of these therapies offer excellent ways to help your animal maintain normal functioning and remain comfortable during their later years.



When to Use Alternative Medicine
Today more Americans have tried some form of alternative medicine than not. How do we determine the safest and most effective tools for our animal’s healing that blend the best of what each type of medicine can offer? Alternative medicine is often more effective for chronic or stress-related diseases. Generally, conventional medicine excels at treating acute injuries and conditions. Some conditions in horse that are best treated by conventional medicine include: cancer; emergency trauma such as lacerations, or colic; surgical conditions such as fractures, arthroscopic conditions, torsions of the intestine; or acute bacterial infections such as pneumonia, peritonitis, etc. For deworming, no available studies have shown anything to work more safely or effectively than existing products. Consult with your veterinarian to design a program of care incorporating the best features of alternative and conventional medicine.



Alternative Therapies

Acupuncture – Stimulates specific points in the body with needles, lasers, heat and massage to balance energy and promote natural healing. Studies show that acupuncture causes the release of hormones, cortisones, and natural painkillers such as endorphins, which accounts for its extraordinary effects.
Chinese Herbal Medicine – Can be used like conventional pharmacological medicines to treat any diagnosed condition, but tends to be most effective for interior syndromes. There are hundreds of established formulas and individual herbs, so a very specific treatment can be administered.
Chiropractic – Physical manipulation of the spinal joints in order to return normal range of motion to the spinal column.
Homeopathy - Minute quantities of herbs and other compounds make up homeopathic remedies. The homeopathic system is similar to Chinese medicine in that the goal is to correct an imbalance in the body especially at the energetic level. There is no consensus on how the non-therapeutic doses of compounds work in the body, but it is generally thought that it is a stimulus for the body to correct itself similar to the stimulus from acupuncture.
Laser - Low level "cold" lasers are used therapeutically. They are most effectively used to stimulate acupuncture or trigger points and therefore require accuracy. When used correctly they can be effective for pain relief.
Magnets - Research is unclear, magnets may increase blood flow and/or influence cell membranes to speed healing. Magnetic fields generated by electricity (pulse magnetic field therapy or PMFT) appear to achieve benefit most consistently.
Massage - As chiropractic is a therapy for the skeleton, massage is a therapy for the soft tissue, especially muscle. Very effective when used by itself and when paired with chiropractic.
Supplements - Supplements like glucosamine, MSM, and various vitamins can improve joint and overall health through mechanisms that vary greatly, and can be very effective when used correctly.
Ultrasound - Deep heating of tissue that can act as a "micro-massage" with benefits at the muscular and cellular level. Using ultrasound too long or deep can cause tissue damage.
Western Herbology - North American herbs used mainly like conventional pharmacological medicines and are chosen based on how they act on symptoms.



Learn More
Read more about Chiropractic » coming soon
Read more about Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine »



Links
Alt Vet Med - holistic veterinary medicine: acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal, homeopathic and other nutritional & alternative modalities.
American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture - information about veterinary acupuncture, good links to related sites.
Healthy Pet Library - descriptions of supplements & neutraceuticals.
Pet Education.com on alternative medicine - articles about herbs, natural supplements, minerals & vitamins.