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Integrative Medicine
Dr. Nicole specializes in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). This includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage (Tui-na), and food therapy. These services are often thought of as "holistic" or "complementary" to conventional veterinary medicine. However, we encourage pet owners and other veterinarians to think of these services as Integrative Medicine. Meaning, when we "integrate" or combine them with regular veterinary medicine, we can achieve a better overall outcome.

Many people look to holistic medicine as an alternative or a "last resort" when conventional medicine has failed to make their pet better. When people seek out these services in the later stages of disease or illness, it is often a lot harder to achieve success. TCVM is best thought of as "slow medicine." Comparatively, it is a lot gentler on the body with less risk of side effects, but it can take a while to see results so it is always better to seek out a TCVM practitioner sooner than later.

For regular patients, Dr. Nicole will always assess them from a holistic standpoint and recommend TCVM services when appropriate. For referral patients, Dr. Nicole will work alongside their primary care veterinarian to ensure clear communication, accurate diagnostics, and ideal treatment plans for the best possible outcomes.

More information is provided below.
If you believe this is something your pet could benefit from, call to schedule a TCVM consultation today!

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
(TCVM)

TCVM is a complete medical system grounded in Chinese Daoist philosophy that has been used to successfully treat animals for thousands of years. It is evidence-based medicine. A quick internet search will turn up a variety of "opinions" on how effective Traditional Chinese (Veterinary) Medicine can be, but the reality is that these are proven methods with tens of thousands of validated, published scientific studies that can be found with a PubMed or Google Scholar search. Research continues to this day as ancient practices are combined with modern medicine to achieve healing success.

Disease is believed to result when an imbalance exists in the body. TCVM practitioners take into consideration everything from age, sex, temperament, activity level, diet, and environment to determine the pattern of imbalance and to correct it.

Acupuncture:

The insertion of specialized needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture works primarily through the nervous system and its effects are cumulative. Some responses can be seen after just 1 treatment. Most chronic conditions will take at least 4-6 treatments before significant results are seen.

Tui-na:

A combination of therapeutic massage, acupressure, and chiropractic. Various massage and pressure techniques help release tension, decrease pain, improve relaxation, and regulate the body. Some techniques may be taught to owners to be performed on pets between sessions.

Food Therapy:

Diet recommendations based on Chinese principles may help correct imbalances and prevent disease. Recommendations may include changing protein sources, adding whole food "toppers" to current diets, or formulating home-cooked meals based on an animal's current condition.

Herbal Medicine:

Formulas are matched to an individual's condition and have substantially fewer side effects compared to conventional medications. Acute conditions may resolve in as little as a few days, while chronic conditions may require life-long maintenance.

Laser Therapy:

Though not specific to TCVM, laser therapy is a non-invasive technique using specific wavelengths of light to stimulate tissues within the body and speed up the healing process. This technique can also be used to stimulate acupuncture points for pets that are unreceptive to or unable to receive needling..

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