What the heck is Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and isn’t it obsolete?
Modern veterinary medicine is making daily strides and breakthroughs. But sometimes scientists are limited by the way they know to look at things. A different point of view might offer solutions scientists didn’t dream up. An alternative approach can offer answers where they didn’t seem to be any.
My point of view
When making any decisions regarding Jasmine’s health, the experience taught me to always consider a worst-case scenario. What is the worst thing that can happen, and does the benefit outweigh the risk? After my research, I came to the conclusion that TCVM is substantially safer than anything else we could try.
The second reason I was attracted to the idea was the TCVM’s holistic approach. Jasmine had so many things wrong with her, I had a hard time believing they could all be separate issues without a common thread.
I believe that my dogs deserve every bit of effort I might put into researching the best ways of taking care of their health.
An unfamiliar modality
The theory behind the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is going to sound alien to anybody brought up in western culture. It is completely different from what we are used to. But being around for over 3,500 years it has clearly withstood the test of time. Just because the terminology sounds odd, it doesn’t mean that the reasoning behind it isn’t sound.
Without modern technology to rely on, ancient physicians employed their senses and observation to diagnose and treat illness. Identifying the elements and seasons of nature, their interaction, and how it is reflected within the body, is the foundation of the TCVM diagnostic and treatment.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine views the body as an intricate system, where an imbalance in one area affects corresponding organs. Identifying and correcting the imbalance is the key to your dog’s health. It is really quite fascinating.
Four Paws, Five Directions
It is impossible to explain the TCVM principles in a short article. If you would like to learn about the theory behind the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, I recommend you read Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM. This book was recommended to me when I was researching the TCVM approach, and it provided me with a good understanding of what the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is all about.
It explains what the theory behind the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is and how it translates to diagnostics and treatment.
Of course, you don’t need to understand it in order for your dog to benefit from it. Finding a practitioner and following through with the treatment does not require knowledge of the theory. Me, I like to understand things.
Dr. Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, CVT is a faculty member of the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Their website is where you can find a TCVM vet in your area.
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