The use of complementary and alternative therapies is rapidly growing in both veterinary and human medicine, as people recognize the value of integrated medicine for themselves and their beloved pets. Integrative veterinary medicine blends the use of complementary and alternative therapies with the practice of Western medicine to optimize treatment outcomes. At The Heights Veterinary Clinic, we utilize the best of Western diagnostic tools and approach treatment options from a holistic point of view. These treatment options combine conventional medicine with complementary and alternative therapies. Complementary and alternative therapies include acupuncture, laser therapy, veterinary spinal manipulation, botanical herbs, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, rehabilitation, and other holistic modalities..
Depending on the clinical symptoms and diagnostic findings, our doctors often utilize acupuncture, laser therapy, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals into the treatment protocol for your pet. Types of cases that may benefit from complementary and alternative therapies include chronic internal medicine diseases, orthopedic conditions and osteoarthritis, neurological disorders, and many others. Dr. Mondschein will partner with you to discuss your pet’s medical conditions and decide which diagnostic and treatment options are best suited for them to reach the optimal results.
Acupuncture is one of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). These branches include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-Na (Chinese medical massage). Acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of specific points on the body, acupuncture points, with specialized needles to prevent or treat disease. Research has shown that stimulation of acupuncture points provides pain relief by the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.
Other physiological effects include regulation of gastrointestinal motility, decrease in inflammation, increase in blood flow, immune system regulation, promotion of normal organ function, and nerve stimulation. There are several ways that acupuncture can be administered. Dry needling is the most common and refers to the placement of the needles alone in specific acupuncture points. Electroacupuncture refers to providing an electrical stimulation to the needles, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatments. Aquapuncture is the injection of a solution, commonly vitamin B12, into acupuncture points to achieve prolonged effects.
At The Heights Veterinary Clinic we also offer Class IV laser therapy to produce therapeutic effects, including reduced healing times after surgical or dental procedures, reduced pain, and decreased inflammation. Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths to achieve these effects in a pain free, non-invasive, and rapid manner. Laser therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, some of which include orthopedic diseases, osteoarthritis, neurological disorders, stiffness and muscle soreness, skin wounds, hot spots, and severe ear infections.
