Benefits of Alternative Medicine for Pets
Integrative Complementary Medicine for Pets
Alternative medicine also called integrative, natural and complementary medicine, holistic medicine takes a broader approach to health than allopathic.
The conventional medical model focuses on x-rays, blood panel results, and other lab test. Allopathic veterinarians look for path ology – a detectable physical change in the tissues that signals disease and forms the basis for a diagnosis. But this approach looks at only a very small part of the picture.
Holistic treatment methods, also known as modalities include homeopathy, chiropractic, nutritional consulting, massage, flower essences, traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, herbs)
A holistic practitioner studies the whole patient, taking into account not just pathological symptoms (say changes in blood chemistry) but also alterations in normal function (such as bowel changes), emotional state, sensation, prior illness and more.
Holistic vets consider the whole body. Holistic vets incorporate more than one type of treatment, including the best of conventional medicine, to make a more inclusive ‘whole’ system of wellness. Holistic medicine puts a bigger emphasis on having the body heal itself.
For example an allopathic veterinarian would likely prescribe an antibiotic to fight a bacterial infection, while a holistic vet might prescribe nutritional supplements to boost the body’s natural defenses.
With a holistic vet you get the best of both worlds, knowledge of conventional medicine but also possible alternatives to convention that are less harmful to your pet.
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