Alternative Medicine
Many eastern cultures believe that all living creatures possess an inner energy and that imbalance in that energy flow results in illness and disease. From a western perspective, this sounds like hocus pocus, westerners are taught to appreciate only that which can be touched and seen. However, if one considers the electrocardiogram, a diagnostic device used in conventional medicine, this machine directly measures the electrical impulses of the heart, proof that living beings possess a measurable form of inner energy. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathic medicines rebalance the body’s energy so that healing can occur.
Village Veterinary, Inc in York, Maine is unique in providing alternative thereapies, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, Bach Flower remedies, VOM, and homeopathic analysis and medications, in addition to traditional western diagnosis (in house laboratory, radiology, ultrasound), conventional medications, and surgery. Dr. Julie Matthews is board certified in veterinary acupuncture (CVA), having successfully completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) course in 1995. Since then Dr. Matthews has helped hundreds of animals recover from disease and maintain quality of life. In 2013 Dr. Matthews also became certified in veterinary homeopathy by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. This gentle but effective medication has helped animals with serious illness recover when conventional medication has failed. The video of Kodiak, a paralyzed Rottweiler who recovered the ability to walk within 5 days on a remedy illustrates this amazing form of medicine. Click on the video section of our website to view.
Homeopathic medicines, or remedies, are based on the principle that like cures like. Unlike conventional medications which treat or counteract a particular symptom, homeopathy uses the entire symptom picture in a patient to identify the particular remedy which will stimulate the patient to heal themselves on an energetic level. Since other medications and treatments can interfere with this healing process, homeopathic medicine is best given by itself.
Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbs) can be used alone or in combination with conventional therapies if needed. Unlike conventional treatments such as antibiotics, steroids, hormones, NSAIDS and other drugs which treat the symptoms of disease, as with homeopathy, Chinese medicine addresses the constitutional weakness causing the symptom or disease. This results in eventual cure of the condition and an overall healthier pet, although taking longer to effect, often weeks to months. Side effects are minimal and most animals enjoy acupuncture and take powdered herbs readily.