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Ralitsa Grancharova, DVM, MRCVS is a trained veterinary acupuncturist and veterinary surgeon, specialising primarily in equine practise, but also attending to other species.
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TCVM - an ancient technique offers new hopes for pets and horses
TCVM - Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is a system of medicinal practices. Even though it is getting comparatively more popular and better understood in the Western world, TCVM has been used in ancient China for thousands of years. TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine for human patients) has been the main method of treatment in the Ancient East for over 3,500 years and continues to be of benefit to patients all over the world today. TCVM has been adapted from TCM and can be used in various animal species - mammals, birds and reptiles. TCVM can be of help to pets, equines, farm and wild animals. TCVM continues to evolve much like conventional medicine today. Scientific research sheds light on the mechanism of action of TCVM and its effectiveness through tests and gathering data on its use in specific conditions.
TCVM includes four fundamental branches, which complement each other:
TCVM is based on Taoism. In the living organisms, similar to their surrounding environment, processes occur, fueled by internal and external forces. Maintaining health is achieved by harmony and balance between the organism and its environment through preventative measures and management e.g. healthy and balanced diet.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of one or a number of specific points on the body leading to a homeostatic effect. The location of these specific points is described and they are known as acupuncture points (or acupoints).
Herbal supplements in TCVM differ from the use of herbs in Western culture. Herbs in TCVM are used in specific combinations (both described in ancient texts and modified contemporary recipes) and serve the purpose of addressing the TCVM pattern of the patient. In Western herbalism herbs are usually selected and used individually or combined based on properties that differ somewhat to Chinese herbs. Herbs in TCVM are fed to the animal in the form of powder, pills, capsules, tablets, etc. or applied topically. The herbal preparation is fed or applied until the pattern of the animal fades or changes.
Diet in TCVM concentrates on the effect of food on the body after it has been consumed. Food according to TCVM has not only nutritional but also energetic qualities. According to TCVM principles, each element of the whole diet has cooling, warming, stimulating qi (life force) or Blood properties as well as tastes that correspond to specific organs or having an effect on particular TCVM patterns.
TCVM is generally safe. Although very low risk involved, TCVM can cause some side effects the most notable one of which is transient lethargy. The latter usually passes in the matter of hours (generally up to a day).
For most patients acupuncture is completely pain-free (including animals that are needle-shy). Seldom the animal could react with low grade pain or sensitivity which usually passes as soon as the needle enters the acupuncture point. The majority of animals relax or fall into deep sleep after application of the first or last needle.
Depending on the cause, the TCVM sessions can take up anywhere between a few days and a few months. In any case a minimum of three acupuncture sessions is required to test the effectiveness for the individual case. The frequency of the sessions is determined by a variety of factors, however the practitioner’s and the owner’s schedule could also be taken into consideration. In some cases the sessions take place every few days while in others they can be spread out to once every few weeks or months. This depends strictly on the individual case.
The initial TCVM examination usually includes discussion, a TCVM scan and acupuncture session. The first session usually takes an hour and a half while every consecutive session takes about an hour. Of course exceptions are possible. If the patient is not being cooperative, is aggressive or scared acupuncture can be avoided and the other methods (herbal or dietary therapy or tui-na) used instead.
The patient may be fed before a session but it is better that no food is offered up to two hours before treatment to reduce the chance of vomiting due to abdominal fullness in small animals (this does not go for equines).
TCVM includes four fundamental branches, which complement each other:
- Acupuncture
- Herbal supplements
- Tui-na (Chinese massage)
- Diet
TCVM is based on Taoism. In the living organisms, similar to their surrounding environment, processes occur, fueled by internal and external forces. Maintaining health is achieved by harmony and balance between the organism and its environment through preventative measures and management e.g. healthy and balanced diet.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of one or a number of specific points on the body leading to a homeostatic effect. The location of these specific points is described and they are known as acupuncture points (or acupoints).
Herbal supplements in TCVM differ from the use of herbs in Western culture. Herbs in TCVM are used in specific combinations (both described in ancient texts and modified contemporary recipes) and serve the purpose of addressing the TCVM pattern of the patient. In Western herbalism herbs are usually selected and used individually or combined based on properties that differ somewhat to Chinese herbs. Herbs in TCVM are fed to the animal in the form of powder, pills, capsules, tablets, etc. or applied topically. The herbal preparation is fed or applied until the pattern of the animal fades or changes.
Diet in TCVM concentrates on the effect of food on the body after it has been consumed. Food according to TCVM has not only nutritional but also energetic qualities. According to TCVM principles, each element of the whole diet has cooling, warming, stimulating qi (life force) or Blood properties as well as tastes that correspond to specific organs or having an effect on particular TCVM patterns.
TCVM is generally safe. Although very low risk involved, TCVM can cause some side effects the most notable one of which is transient lethargy. The latter usually passes in the matter of hours (generally up to a day).
For most patients acupuncture is completely pain-free (including animals that are needle-shy). Seldom the animal could react with low grade pain or sensitivity which usually passes as soon as the needle enters the acupuncture point. The majority of animals relax or fall into deep sleep after application of the first or last needle.
Depending on the cause, the TCVM sessions can take up anywhere between a few days and a few months. In any case a minimum of three acupuncture sessions is required to test the effectiveness for the individual case. The frequency of the sessions is determined by a variety of factors, however the practitioner’s and the owner’s schedule could also be taken into consideration. In some cases the sessions take place every few days while in others they can be spread out to once every few weeks or months. This depends strictly on the individual case.
The initial TCVM examination usually includes discussion, a TCVM scan and acupuncture session. The first session usually takes an hour and a half while every consecutive session takes about an hour. Of course exceptions are possible. If the patient is not being cooperative, is aggressive or scared acupuncture can be avoided and the other methods (herbal or dietary therapy or tui-na) used instead.
The patient may be fed before a session but it is better that no food is offered up to two hours before treatment to reduce the chance of vomiting due to abdominal fullness in small animals (this does not go for equines).
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