Holistic Pet Care - An Overview
As many more people embrace holistic medicine for themselves, they also realize how helpful it can be for their pets. Over the years, there has been an explosion of interest in the natural healing arts for dogs, cats, horses and even rabbits!
Holistic medicine is an umbrella that encompasses many disciplines. There are the formal branches of alternative medicine such as chiropractic, acupuncture , homeopathy and herbal therapy. There are also many related fields such as massage therapy, Sshiatsu, Reiki and dozens of other more esoteric fields. We will concentrate on the main four areas, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal.
All of these disciplines believe that the body contains a central force that keeps it in balance, protects it from disease and allows it to heal. When an animal is injured, gets sick or starts to age, this force can become weakened and the body becomes imbalanced. Think about the number of things that can happen to our animal companions in everyday life. We carry our dogs and cats around, they jump from heights, they run and twist. We feed them commercial food that may contain byproducts and preservatives. We ask our horses to jump and perform incredible feats, usually with someone on their back.
Acupuncture began almost 4000 years ago in China and has survived to this day. In Chinese acupuncture, specific points through out the body are stimulated or sedated to produce a local or generalized effect. These points are treated by needles, massage, heat and even lasers to balance the body's energy and promote healing. Modern scientists have studied acupuncture and feel that it causes the release of hormones, cortisone, natural pain killers, endorphins and many other substances that account for its incredible effects. It also stimulates the local tissues to respond and the blood supply to increase. It is nice to have a "conventional" explanation to help understand how acupuncture may work but it is important to remember that traditional acupuncture deals with energy and balance.
Chiropractic has long been used to help people but it has recently been accepted for use in animals. You can well imagine the number of traumatic and repetitive injuries an animal can suffer, as well as, the normal wear and tear. Many of the problems that our animal companions show can be attributed to the vertebral subluxations that can impede the flow of their vital energy through the spinal cord and nerves. These subluxations can cause constant pain, muscle spasms and organ problems. We all know how stress can contribute to our ill health and chiropractic problems. We tend to forget that our pets often take on a great deal of our problems and stress, as well as their own. When we have a bad day at work or with the kids, we have less time and tolerance for our pets and they definitely can sense our tension and unhappiness. This is why it is helpful for the owner to be under chiropractic care so they can be in balance and place less of a burden on their ill pet.
Herbal therapy is probably one of our better known alternative therapies. We all are familiar with the benefits or reputation of some herbs. Chamomile in tea is calming, garlic can help fight colds, eucalyptus for a stuffy nose or in our vaporizers. These are just some of the thousands of herbal treatments that have been passed down from the ancient healers. Herbs can affect the body in many ways and should be used cautiously and with the advice of someone familiar with both their good and bad effects
Homeopathy is the treatment of disease with minute quantities of substances to trigger the body's intelligence to fight that disease on its own. Homeopathic physicians have discovered over the centuries that the body can recognize microscopic amounts of different materials. These materials or "remedies" are matched to the symptoms and can have remarkable effects. True homeopathy is a very pure science and is practiced on animal by veterinarians trained in the classical approach. It is one of the most powerful of the alternative therapies and has successfully treated everything from fears to cancer. It also effects the body's vital force and help balance and adjust it. It is important to have a consultation with someone trained in this discipline to realize the full benefit of homeopathic treatment.
As we can see, many of the alternative forms of medicine were, actually, the main types of medicine until recent times. They were practiced by medicine men, wise women and healers for many thousands of years and have only recently become "alternatives".
In conclusion, remember that holistic really means WHOLE and that your pet care should include all aspects of your pet's life. It should include good natural nutrition, close observation, attention, love, consideration and proper medical care. That is the meaning of holistic and you will find that holistic medical care can help both you and your pet live a fuller, healthier and happier life.
© Natural Holistic Pet Care - Larry A. Bernstein, VMD
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