Alternative Medicine

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Oriental method of therapy and is used in a wide variety of human and animal disorders.

Most simply stated, it is a therapy first developed by the Ancient Chinese that consists of stimulating designated and precise points on the surface of the body by the insertion of fine solid needles, application of heat (Moxibustion), electrical stimulation, and low power laser acupuncture.

Veterinary acupuncture is a healing science, which deals with the individual animal as a living energetic being, rather than simply as a catalogue of signs and symptoms. Effective veterinary acupuncture practice is based upon both the natural and scientific aspects of healing.  Veterinary acupuncture is a technique for relieving pain and improving the function of various systems of an animals body via stimulation of the proper reflex points. These points are mainly located in the superficial muscles and skin.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care focuses on abnormal movements of the spine and the effects these restrictions have on the nervous system and the entire body.  The goal of chriopractic treatment is to maximize mobility and optimize nervous system function to allow unrestricted exchange of information between the brain and all the body's organs.

Restricted mobility between two vertebrae can adversely effect and/or irritate the nerves that exit the spine.

Prior to chriopractic treatment, the entire spine and limbs are examined to identify restricted movement in individual joints.  If a restriction in motion is detected, the effected joint will be treated chiropractically.

Chriopractic treatment does not replace conventional veterinary medicine; however, it does enhance traditional medicine therapy for spinal and internal organ dysfunction.  It is also an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain caused by biochemical problems.

Most animals show visible improvement after one to four treatments.  Acute problems often respond quickly to the therapy, while chronic problems usually require more extensive treatments.

Patients with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, hip dysplasia or spondylitis), where restricted joint movement apprears as a result of the disease, respond very well to regular supportive treatments every 2 - 6 months.

What is a Subluxation?

A subluxation is  an area of limited mobility of adjoining vertebrae, and occasionally their functional misalignment.

What are the symptoms of a Subluxation?

In small animals, there are various symptoms of subluxations.  The most common include pain, dysfunction and abnormality in mobility or posture.

• Acute neck and back pain
• Limited performance
• Reluctance to; move, climb stairs or jump onto raised areas
• Undefined lameness, ambling or slow gait, worn down nails on one or more paws
• Hypersensitivity to touch
• Lick granuloma on legs or paws