COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient method of healthcare that has been successfully
applied to treat illness for 5,000 years.  Veterinary acupuncture is likely as old as
acupuncture itself.  It represents a sophisticated and vast body of knowledge with
philosophical principles for the balance of the mind, body, and spirit.  T.C.M. combines
the use of acupuncture, medicinal herbs, diet, massage, moxa, and exercise.  The World
Health Organization states that acupuncture is suitable for the treatment of Ear, Nose, and
Throat disorders, Respiratory disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, Eye disorders, and
Nervous and Muscular System disorders.  Previous studies on the uses of acupuncture on
animals have shown it to be effective for intervetebral disk disease, hip dysplasia,
osteroarthritis, other arthritic pain syndromes, and miscellaneous conditions which are not
responding to conventional therapies such as gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory
ailments, epilepsy, peripheral nerve injuries and certain allergic skin diseases such as
dermatitis and  lick granulomas. 

Back

Chiropractic

Chiropractic medicine is the preferred and most effective treatment for correcting
structural abnormalities resulting from past injuries, poor posture, and/or chronic stress
and muscle tension.  It is a proven therapy for relieving headaches, neck pain, and lower
back pain.  The 'adjustment' is a chiropractor’s main form of treatment.  It involves a
precise, hands-on technique for releasing joint pressure and freeing joint fixation.  An
adjustment restores proper joint alignment and range of motion, and allows for proper
nerve flow to muscles and vital organs.

Back

Herbology

Herbs have been utilized in treatment of health ailments for at least as long as Chinese
Medicine has been in existence.  The classification of herbs are broken down into several
categories.  Each herb possess certain properties that determine its' treatment use.  Rou
Gui (Cinnamon Bark), for example, is considered a warming herb.  Therefore, Rou Gui
may be used to treat cases in which the patient presents with cold symptoms.  Herbs are
also categorized by taste (pungent/acid), by movement (ascending/descending), and by
which organ they are attracted or drawn towards.  It is important to have someone
knowledgeable in Herbology evaluate your pets condition before any herbal treatment is
started.  Similar to an incorrect dose of medication, an incorrect herbal treatment may
produce ill effects for the pet.

Back

Homeopathy

The basis of how homeopathy works is based on the principle of "like cures like" Homeo
meaning "similar" and pathos meaning "suffering".  An illness can be treated by a
substance capable of producing similar symptoms to those being suffered by the patient. 
Homeopathy was founded by Samuel Hahnemann in 1810 when he developed the method
of preparing Homeopathic substances by means of succussion (vigorous shaking).  With
this method, the energy of the substance is released and results in energetically "Potentized"
remedy.  Potentization is used to describe the dilution or strength of a remedy.  In acute
conditions, the homeopathic remedy is taken as often as every few hours.  In chronic
conditions, the remedy is taken 2 to 3 times per day.  Homeopathy is a true holistic
therapy capable of assisting your pet in their return to optimal health.

Back

Laser Therapy

Lasers play an important role in medicine today being used either for surgery or as a
therapeutic modality.  Their use in rehabilitative therapy stems from their ability to
generate antiinflammatory and analgesic effects as well as their effects on collagen
formation.  As local therapy they can be used over painful joints and muscles. 
Lasers can also be used to treat systemic, internal, and certain generalized disorders by
irradiating trigger points, tender ashi points, and acupuncture points.

Back

Bach Flowers

A natural healing modality introduced and discovered by Dr. Edward Bach, a British bacteriologist and homeopath. This system of healing deals with the mind and emotions and the subsequent development of illness and disease which can occur when anxiety, trauma and depression become an issue.

Bach Flower remedies ( 38 in total ) work just as well in animals as they do in humans. Animals grieve, get depressed and suffer from anxiety issues as often as we do. These issues although mental-emotional in character need to be addressed in order to achieve better balance and allow for physical conditions to heal faster.

Back

Biopuncture

Biopuncture involves the use of specific bio-therapeutic injections into specified areas of the body to achieve bio-regulation. These injections are homeopathic combinations which have an antihomotoxic effect when injected correctly. These injections help to regulate the body's natural defense mechanisms without causing suppression but rather an activation and/or modulation of the immune system. Uses for this therapy are many and can include injuries to the stifle, hip, neck,elbow and issues involving chronic pain such as seen with degenerative joint disease,chronic stifle injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. Areas injected can include trigger points, origin points or specific areas such as reflex and pain zones.

Back

Gold Bead Implants

INTRODUCTION

Gold bead implants are an extension of an acupuncture procedure. They provide acupuncture and long term stimulation of acupuncture points on a permanent basis. The gold beads which are smaller in diameter than 1/16'' are implanted at various sites either subcutaneously or in the muscle bellies. These sites of implantation are acupuncture points and in some cases reactive points which merit the implant. The implant procedure was developed in the 1970's . The first implants performed in the U.S. were done by Dr. Grady Young and have since then been modified and extensively tested by Dr. Terry Durkes.

The procedure involves the implantation of either gold beads or 24kt. gold wire into specified areas with a 14 gauge 1 & 1/2" needle and a 3ml. syringe ( in the case of the gold beads). The implants are performed under general anesthesia after the patient has been clipped and the area surgically scrubbed and prepared. The decision whether to use gold wire or gold beads is simply one of cost, the gold wire being a more expensive proposition. At the present moment at this facility we use magrain gold beads which are very small gold plated magnets with a very low magnetic charge. Since implantation is with a needle and syringe no sutures are placed at these sites.

The uses which merit implants are many but the two most common are:

1. Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) ej. Hip Dysplasia and
2. Seizures ( epilepsy)

It is important to note that age at implantation does have an impact on the success rate of the procedure( especially with degenerative joint disease ). The younger and the earlier after diagnosis that implants are done the better the success rate.
Seizures which from a Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) point of view can be due to an excess condition have been shown to respond well to gold bead implants.
According to Terry Durkes D.V.M. approximately 60% of epileptic pets are cured. They no longer have seizures and will no longer need phenobarbital. If on potassium bromide(KBr) they will have to continue its use. Another 20% will no longer have seizures but they are required to take phenobarbital at a reduced dose. The final 20% will continue to have seizures, in some cases fewer and less severe and some of course will not be helped at all.

Gold beading is an important treatment modality for seizure control since not many treatment options are available for which owners can choose for this disease entity. Other conditions which may benefit from the use of gold beads are:

1. Chronic cruciate injury
2. Certain types of paralysis
3. Cauda Equina
4. Wrist and elbow arthritis
5. Intervertebral disk disease
6. Spondylosis
7. Traumatic nerve injury ej. Brachial plexus injury
8. Allergic dermatitis
9. Asthma and
10. Incontinence

Thorough workups are essential when opting to treat your pets with Gold bead implants. Full blood panels, neurologic exams (seizures) urinalysis, radiographs and sometimes (CAT) catscans, (CSF) exams and (MRI's) are advisable to rule out other potential problems which may obscure the diagnosis.

It is of paramount importance to keep all channels of communication open with your regular veterinarian so as everyone will be informed on the treatment and progress of your pet.
Gold Bead Implants should be performed by someone with advanced training and certification in Veterinary acupuncture and experience with Implant procedures.

Questions relating to the theory and basis for gold bead implants can be addressed to myself.. 

Back

Permanent Acupuncture with Gold Bead Implants

Success Stories

Quaid - Gold Beads

Gold Bead Implants

Preston's Gold Bead Implants

Korie and Gold Bead Implants