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Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

What is TCVM and Veterinary Acupuncture?

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has four main components: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (medical manipulation).

“TCVM is often viewed as a form of complementary therapy and is best when used in conjunction with Western Veterinary Medicine (WVM). Both TCVM and WVM have their own strengths and weaknesses. TCVM is a holistic approach that is suited to assessing the well-being of the whole patient, and treatments are generally non-invasive with few side effects.

In Chinese Medicine theory, disease is understood as an imbalance in the body, and diagnosis proceeds through identifying the underlying “pattern” of disharmony. Pattern diagnosis differs from conventional Western medical diagnosis in that it takes into account not only disease signs but how these signs relate to the individual patient. Thus, TCVM practitioners will consider the temperament, sex, age, activity, and environment of an animal along with the animal’s particular disease signs. This approach stems from the belief that the body is an interconnected system of forces and functions so that disease and disharmony must be examined with respect to the whole patient. For this reason, Chinese Medicine is often regarded as more holistic than conventional Western Medicine.”

-Chi University

Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into discrete and specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect. The ancient Chinese discovered 361 acupoints in humans and 173 acupoints in animals.

Acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic pain and mobility concerns it can also be used very successfully to treat a variety of other chronic conditions. Internal medicine, dermatology, neurology, and behavioral problems and many more issues can all be successfully managed through an integrative TCVM approach.

Who is qualified to perform acupuncture on my pet?

First and foremost your practitioner must be a DVM-a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After obtaining this degree and sometimes alongside, your practitioner could pursue an acupuncture certification in one of three ways.

While there is overlap, the approaches vary to some degree. Note that there is no board certification recognized by the AVMA. The first two acupuncture certification courses are through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society or through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Assosciation. The third route is the way that Dr. Molter of LVH went which is through the Chi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some say the course offered by Chi University most closely aligns with the thinking of TCVM practitioners as opposed to those who seek a western view of the best ways to integrate (or not integrate) various acupuncture techniques. Still, says a spokesperson for the organization, the Chi University is very pro integrative using both Eastern and Western systems to accomplish goals and fill in gaps where one approach falls short. Course work consists of a mix of online and onsite learning practicums. Students sit for a final exam, complete an internship, and submit a case report to document their understanding. Veterinarians can become certified in small animal, equine, or mixed veterinary acupuncture.