Oriental medicine is a very broad and complete system of holistic healthcare. Acupuncture is the most famous technique, but it also includes other modalities such as herbal medicine, tui na massage, cupping and moxabustion.

Moxibustion is the process of burning the herb Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris), over specific acupuncture points and channels. When treating dogs I use a moxa stick, which resembles a large cigar. It is lit and held about an inch or more away from the dog’s fur above the point or area to be treated.

Moxa is used to warm regions and acupuncture points with the intention of stimulating circulation through the points and inducing a smoother flow of blood and chi. It is especially effective relieving pain made worse by cold damp weather.

Dogs usually respond in a positive way to a moxa session. There are a few who do not like the smell or the smoke. … and sometimes their owners do not either!

The one unfortunate side effect of burning moxa during a house call is that it also smells very similar to an illegal substance once very popular in the sixties! The smell does not last a long time and can be eliminated quickly if there is an air filter in the home or if a few scented candles are lit during or after the session.

The smell of moxa may give this therapy a stinky reputation but the positive results are worth it!
If you would like to learn more about Traditional Chinese therapies used for people visit www.MyAcuDoc.com

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed annually on October 24. It is designed to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine

To learn more about the theories and history of oriental medicine visit www.www.aaaomonline.org

For more information on how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help humans stay healthy visit www.myacudoc.com. Visit the Four Paws Acupuncture website to see how Traditional Chinese Medicine is used for dogs.

Four Paws Acupuncture Clients receive 30% off your first acupuncture visit with Norm Kraft at the Acupuncture Center of Salem. Offer expires November 20, 2009

This E-How Article has some excellent tips for caring for your tripawd. I have included some tips from a TCM perspective.

How to Care for a Three Legged (Tripod) Dog
By Melissa Maroff
eHow Contributing Writer

* Stay close to your dog for a few days after the surgery while he adjusts. After that it’s a good idea to always monitor or assist your dog on stairs and be ready to give a boost in and out of cars (depending on the ease of access).

* Exercise your tripod dog regularly; walking is good, but remember not to push since she’ll be moving a little slower. Swimming (canine hydrotherapy) is the best exercise for a tripod dog.

* Keep your dog’s skin and pads clean and free of infection. If your dog has cracked pads (which tripods are more prone to), apply bag balm, Vaseline or other products that speed up healing.

* Feed your tripod dog a healthy diet and maintain a proper weight. An overweight dog will have to work harder to support himself.

* Keep your tripod dog’s nails trimmed. Long nails can inhibit movement. ”

Four Paws Acupuncture:

* Acupuncture can help your tripawd recovery from surgery. It relieves pain, increases circulation and reduces stress. It is also beneficial for dogs who also suffer from arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia or knee aliments.

* Make sure your dog is not eating any dog foods that contain by-products, fillers, wheat, corn or soy. Organic free range meats are best, especially for those diagnosed with cancer.

* Give your dog a relaxing massage. Take special care to massage the opposite limbs and any area he may be experiencing pain.

* Play calming music while you are away to help your dog relax.

Four Paws Acupuncture makes veterinary acupuncture house-calls on the North Shore of MA. fourpawsacupuncture.com

Here is a wonderful article explaining the use of Chinese herbs.

Understanding Chinese Herbal Medicine
Part 1
By Jingduan Yang, M.D.

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the major clinical healing modalities in the ancient Chinese medical system. It is not as well-known as acupuncture, possibly due to its complexity and lack of immediate effects compared to acupuncture, which can reduce pain quickly.

Chinese herbal medicine is not quite an accurate description of this modality because it employs herbs or plants, minerals, insects (silkworm skin, for example), sea creatures (oyster shells), and animal products.

People who seek help from a practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine are very often confused by what medicines might do to them, how they work, and how they are prepared.

One of the common misperceptions of Chinese herbal medicines is that they are chemical agents like other medications or vitamins. Indeed, there are a lot of chemical agents in each of the individual herbs. Sometimes, they contain extracts, which are particular chemical components that are made into medicines.
To read more of this article Click Here

Four Paws Acupuncture offers nutritional and herbal phone consultations Click here for more info

In my acupuncture practice I come across many pets who suffer from red, itchy or oozy eyes.
Chrysanthemum flower tea is an easy remedy for most of these cases.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chrysanthemum flower is one of the main herbs used to treat eye ailments. It is especially helpful during allergy season. It can be used for pets or humans. Most animals do not like the taste of the tea. Fortunately it can be used externally.

To make a soothing eye wash from chrysanthemum tea for you or your pets, place the tea bags in luke-warm water for about 3 minutes. Then gently place the tea bags on your pets eyes for a minute or as long as they will allow it. You can do this twice a day.

If you are not able to find the tea bags and are using loose dried flowers, allow them to soak in lukewarm water for the same amount of time. Dip a cotton ball in the bowl and gently place on the eyes.

You can find chrysanthemum tea at most Asian food or herb shops. For more information on
how to use chrysanthemum tea visit the Wikipedia

It is beginning to get a little chilly here in New England. If your dog suffers from arthritis symptoms made worse with the cold damp weather proper nutrition can make a big difference in your dog’s health, along with Traditional Chinese medicinals and acupuncture.

My dog patients all seem to love the Cinna-bone treats made by Solid Gold. I love that they are organic and that they contain no wheat. Wheat has been proven to exacerbate arthritic pain and also aggravate allergies. Cinnamon is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve the painful symptoms of arthritis.

Ingredients:
New and improved formulation – Barley, Spelt Canola Oil, Rolled Oats, Cinnamon, Lamb, Fish, Flax Meal, Garlic and Sea Vegetation

To find a local store that carries Solid Gold please visit their website.
solidgoldhealth.com If you are in the Salem MA area you can find them at The Barking Cat.

Meet one of my dearest patients, Belle, a 12 year old German Shepherd diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM)and arthritis.

This sweet dog is a pleasure to be around. She is intelligent, gentle and responds very well to her acupuncture sessions. After each session I do a form of Chinese massage called Tui Na with an herbal Chinese liniment on her back, hips, knees and elbows. Most dogs like the massage with the herbs, but some hate the smell! Belle is very tolerant and knows it makes her feel good.

Belle is fortunate to have such a loving owner who feeds her cooked chicken or lamb along with a high quality organic dog food, which is free of wheat, corn, soy and fillers. Wheat is known to exacerbate arthritis and auto-immune disorders.

Belle will begin aqua-therapy this week in hopes that it will help her get some exercise and build muscle mass.

We will keep you posted on Belle’s progress. Please keep her in your good thoughts.

To learn more about DM please visit the Four Paws Acupuncture lens www.squidoo.com/canine-DM-acupuncture

www.MyAcuDoc.com

www.4pawsacupuncture.com

This is one of my patients, Nikki a feisty nine year old Schnauzer who just recently celebrated her ninth birthday. During the summer of 2005, Nikki somehow man-aged to injure her rear cruciate ligament.

You can read all about how traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, a change of diet and a whole lot of love helped Nikki on www.squidoo.com/canine-cruciate-ligament

To read about more dogs who had positive results with acupuncture and TCM please visit the Four Paws Acupuncture Happy Dogs page.

Max, is a 7 year old Briard who was injured last year during an agility training session. Working with Max was so much fun. He is full of personality and is larger than life. Although his owners claim he is a full bred Braird, I am certain he is part Wookie (from Star Wars).

The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds. They are very intelligent and quite stunning to see in person. For more information on Briards visit wikepedia.com

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes incorporating good nutrition, acupuncture, herbs and change of lifestyle. Fortunately Max’s owners feed him a well balanced and healthy diet. I was very happy that I did not have to give them my usual lecture on the importance of good nutrition for dogs. Max was treated by using a combination of acupuncture, tui na ( a form of Chinese massage), laser acupuncture and Chinese herbal liniments. His owners made sure he was completely recovered before allowing him to resume agility training.

After several treatments and lots of extra love from his owners, Max is now able to jump and attend classes again.

Below is his story told by his owner.

“About 4 months ago our 7-year-old Briard Max slipped off a 4-foot high dog walk during an agility training session. The next morning he could not walk on his front left leg. The verdict from the vet was ‘this might require surgery.’

Fortunately we heard about the possibility treat the torn ligaments using the Chinese Medicine. After consulting with Jeanie Marie Kraft of Four Paws Acupuncture we started Max on a regimen of acupuncture and massages with a Chinese liniment. Needless to say there wouldn’t be any jumping in the foreseeable future for Max, a tough task for the highest titled obedience performance Briard in North America
(11 US and Canadian titles).
Now it is 3 1/2 months later and CH Glendrovers Sir Maxwell UDX, CanOTCH is back to doing what he likes best – obedience and agility performance.

Thank you Jeanie Marie for getting our baby back in the performance competition arena!”
Marion and Team Briard