A Parade Magazine article a few Sundays ago contained an article on alternative medical procedures that worked. One entity mentioned was acupuncture.

Acupuncture is one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, or TCVM.

TCM was developed more than 3,000 years ago through observation of people and their surroundings. The observations and techniques were applied to animals and TCVM developed.

In China, some hospitals have Western medicine on one side and traditional Chinese medicine on the other. Traditional Chinese medicine has been gaining recognition as another modality to treat people and animals and are gaining in popularity in the United States.

Any species of animal can be acupunctured. The main drawback will be whether the acupoints have been plotted. One way of stimulating acupoints is using Tui-Na, where through massage the acupoints are stimulated. Many times the owners are taught Tui-Na, and they follow-up at home. Many pets love Tui-Na and it can increase the owner-animal bond.

Acupuncture has gained much publicity for its benefits in arthritis in humans and animals. Acupuncture has also been shown to be useful for treating dermatology problems, liver problems, tumors, endocrine problems such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease, kidney problems, heart problems, behavioral problems, seizures and many other problems. A common observation seen with acupuncture is how the pet’s quality of life improves.

Chinese herbs are commonly used with acupuncture to treat or balance the pet. The Chinese herbs (with or without acupuncture) are used to treat patterns identified through a Chinese examination.

In most cases, Chinese herbs and acupuncture can be used at the same time that Western or conventional medications are used.

Food therapy is very important in balancing the patient in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. Owners are counseled on what to feed the pet according to a pattern identified on the exam. Counseling is given on how to evaluate commercial dog food and home cooking.

Qi-gong or Tai chi is a form of exercise which helps to balance people and give them energy. Some people even have their pets participate with them. DVDs and books can be found in some bookstores and internet searches to learn Qi-gong. Most traditional Chinese medicine experts practice Qi-Gong in order to replenish their own Qi.