CHI INSTITUTE Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

A closer look to TCVM

The Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has been practiced in China for over 2,000 years. TCVM includes acupuncture and herbal medicine. Today, more than half of China's veterinary clinics offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines on a routine basis

Yet in the United States and Europe such modalities are often viewed as "alternatives" to Western Veterinary Medicine (WVM). Many people automatically think of acupuncture when they consider Chinese medicine. Indeed, in our Western Society, acupuncture has made a name for itself as an effective modality for pain relief and relaxation. Yet in China, acupuncture is but one part of TCVM. In actuality, there are five branches of TCVM: Acupuncture, Chinese herbal Medicine, tui-na (a form of chiropractic massage and acupressure which uses the same points as acupuncture, but no needles), diet/nutrition, and Qi Gong (a form of energy exercise). Each branch is a specialized area requiring expertise to perform effectively.

TCVM is gaining more and more recognition by traditional veterinary professionals. A number of veterinary schools in Europe offer acupuncture courses, as well as other TCVM modality tracks. In some veterinary medical hospitals and private clinics TCVM is a clinical service available to clients and their pets or livestock.

Both TCVM and WVM rely on medical history and physical examination in order to make a diagnosis or identify a pattern. Western medicine utilizes diagnostic exams such as blood tests or radiographs, while TCVM carefully examines the arterial pulses and the shu points located at various areas of the body. Experienced clinicians in both systems interpret the findings and decide on appropriate therapeutic regimens. The Western veterinarian commonly prescribes antibiotics, steroids or other pharmaceuticals and may recommend surgery. The TCVM practitioner may use herbs, acupuncture and/or special management practices as the therapeutic modality (ies).

Due to the more individual nature of TCVM, Western medicine can better handle herd health problems. Although Western veterinarians promote disease prevention through yearly physical exams and vaccines, TCVM is highly beneficial for identification of potential problems and preventing disease through dietary modifications or preventative therapies. The therapeutics of TCVM can avoid some of the deleterious side effects of Western drugs, however Western drugs act much more quickly.

Therefore, through integration of the two systems, one may take advantage of the strengths of each, while minimizing the weaknesses. Practitioners who are able to bridge the mental gap between Eastern and Western medicine may find that this combination brings better results than either one alone.

In addition, when veterinarians practice traditional Chinese meditational exercises, such as Tai Qi Quan or Qi Gong, they are able to remain centered and better able to assist their patients." This is because these methods reduce stress (typical of Western veterinary practices) and promote available physical and mental energy.

Those who practice and understand TCVM believe in helping an animal to heal by correcting imbalances in the body. The practitioner seeks to discover the true basis of the disorder that is affecting an animal, not just how to suppress the symptoms. Eliminating the symptoms is the goal of WVM when a definitive, causative agent or problem cannot be identified.

Correcting the inbalances of the body allows the animal to heal itself. A knowledge and understanding of the Five Elemental relationships, the Zang/Fu organ systems, and the systematic classification of disease patterns based on clinical symptoms are key diagnostic assessments to identify the underlying basis of disease.