Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, or TVCM, includes acupuncture, food therapy, herbal medicine, and Tui-na (a form of therapeutic massage). It is an ancient and complex system of medicine, which has been in continuous use for thousands of years.The basic concepts of TCVM are:

• Yin-yang theory—the concept of two opposing, yet complementary, forces that must be in balance in the body
• In the TCVM view, a vital energy or life force called Qi (also spelled “Chi”) circulates in the body through a system of pathways called meridians. Health is an ongoing process of maintaining balance and harmony in the circulation of Qi.
• The TCVM approach uses eight principles to analyze symptoms and categorize conditions: cold/heat, interior/exterior, excess/deficiency, and yin/yang.
• TCVM also uses the theory of five elements—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood—to explain how the body works; these elements correspond to particular organs and tissues in the body.

TCM diagnosis and treatment should be performed only by a licensed practitioner who has had advanced training. The patient is given a physical examination, and a detailed history is taken to determine the nature of the patient’s constitution, and the forces at work causing disease.

Acupuncture

According to TCM, energy called Qi travels through the body on pathways called meridians. Acupuncture points are small areas on these pathways which have high numbers of nerve endings, lymphatics, inflammatory cells and small blood vessels. Treatment of these areas can be done by insertion of fine needles, finger pressure, application of heat or therapeutic laser, electro-stimulation or injection of sterile saline. Treatment causes release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, leading to pain relief, increased circulation and other beneficial effects.

A typical acupuncture session lasts from 20-60 minutes. Some patients may show improvement after one session, but chronic problems often require several treatments. Most animals are comfortable and relaxed during treatment; some will become drowsy or fall asleep. Sedation is not recommended, as it may interfere with the beneficial physiologic effects of treatment.

Chinese herbal medicine

Chinese herbals generally consist of formulas containing from four to twelve herbs. Pills, powders and tinctures are the most common forms used to treat animal patients. Herbals may be used in addition to acupuncture in order to support and prolong the therapeutic effect, or they may be used by themselves to treat the disease pattern diagnosed by the practitioner. Problems that can be treated with herbals range from skin inflammation to joint pain to internal medical problems, like chronic vomiting and liver disease. Behavioral issues can also be addressed with herbals. Duration of treatment may be from several days to several months. Herbal formulas are designed to treat the underlying deficiency or excess condition in the animal’s body which led to imbalance and disease, and thus their effects may be slower in onset than those of typical Western medications.

Food therapy

“Let your food be your medicine” — Hippocrates

Just as herbs can cool where there is excess heat, or add moisture where there is too much dryness, food itself can help to correct imbalances in the body. This can be as simple as adding Ginger, lamb and other warming foods to the diet to treat a cold condition in the winter. Foods have different energies and Yin/Yang properties, and can be used therapeutically as part of the TCM plan for overall health.

Tui-na

Tui-na is a hands-on therapy, which combines elements of acupressure and chiropractic to move Qi, relieve pain, restore the balance of Yin and Yang and regulate organ function. Animals generally enjoy this sort of treatment, which can often be performed by their owners at home, to enhance the effects of acupuncture and herbals. It is especially helpful in musculoskeletal conditions where there is pain and stiffness.

Dr. Stephanie Torlone, D.V.M., C.V.A.

Dr. Torlone is a 1995 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and a 2001 graduate of the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Reddick, Florida. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist who currently practices in East Lyme, Connecticut, and at other locations in Connecticut. More information is available at her website, acupuncturedog.com or by phone: 781-771-8055.