Holistic Care
Acupuncture:
I graduated veterinary school in 2002, and I did not have any exposure to holistic therapies while in school. Thankfully I observed the benefits of acupuncture in 2004 while working at a referral hospital. I witnessed a whimpering post-operative patient fall asleep after an acupuncture session. The veterinarian who had helped the dog gave me a packet of acupuncture needles, and she taught me about one of the points she had used on that little dachshund. When I was driving home full of tension due to a busy day working as an emergency veterinarian I would place a needle into that magical spot when I had about 15 minutes left in my drive. I could physically feel the tension draining from my neck and shoulders – it was amazing. I was even able to put my restless kiddo to sleep by applying gentle pressure to the spot.
I took my acupuncture classes between 2008-2009. One of the most monumental cases involved a dog that was in extreme distress. He had vestibular disease. He likely felt like he was riding on a boat in very choppy water. He was alligator rolling in the room, and he was in severe distress. I placed him in a quiet spot in the clinic, and I gave him a little bit of sedation. I placed acupuncture needles in locations known to help vestibular disease. I showed the technicians where to take the needles out, and I went to lunch. When I came back the dog was standing up and staring at me – all of his symptoms had resolved. Typically dogs would get better on their own, but it generally would take 3+ days. I was so thankful to be able to help the dog feel better – almost immediately.
Assisi Loop:
I really like being able to give clients tools that they can use at home in between my visits. Not only do I teach owners spots to massage/ apply acupressure, but I also teach owners how to use an Assisi loop. This device uses Targeted Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy (tPEMF) to reduce pain an inflammation in animals. It sends gentle microcurrent waves into soft and hard tissues. This stimulates the body to produce more nitric oxide, which speeds up natural healing and lowers swelling. When owners purchase this device the number of acupuncture visits can typically be reduced. I see patients less frequently for treatments, and I give owners that power to help their pets on their own.
Alpha Stim M:
This treatment modality is used in people experiencing pain. This device utilizes microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) to manage and relieve pain. The device sends gentle electrical currents into the body using handheld probes. The microcurrents help normalize the electrical signaling in the nervous system which blocks or dampens the ‘pain messages’ traveling to the brain. It helps acute, chronic, and post-traumatic pain. I typically will use this device before I start acupuncture because it can help decrease pain on its own.
I was called to help a miniature horse who was dealing with a painful muscle in one of its muscles. I started with treating the muscles on either side of her spine – starting at the base of her tail & moving points along her entire spine. I then worked in points all around the painful spot. When I was done her acute pain in the muscle I was treating was 100% gone. https://alpha-stim.com
VOM chiropractic therapy:
This therapy is used to restore body function through the reduction of ‘subluxations’. This treatment reduces subluxations to re-establish nerve pathway communication. This allows the body to heal and normalize its function. VOM is performed with the use of a hand-held device called an activator. The activator provides a gentle amount of force to a joint which is needed to accomplish fixation/ reduction without inducing excess motion. Some diseases that can respond to VOM: lameness, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, agility issues, and performance enhancement