Holistic Medicine

Holistic Medicine

Conventional Western Medicine (Allopathic medicine) is a Reductionist system, which means a complex system has been reduced to its simplest parts. This results in the organ systems generally being analyzed and treated as separate and, at best, poorly related entities.

Holistic Medicine, on the other hand, looks at the body as intimately interrelated group of organs and functions. Therefore, in Holistic Medicine, the body is treated as a whole. This in no way limits or dictates the methods of treatment, which may be used. Conventional drugs are as much a part of Holistic Medicine as are Complementary therapies.

Holistic Medicine should not be confused with Homeopathy, which is a method of treatment. Although we utilize a few Homeopathic remedies, we do not profess to practice Homeopathy.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)

TCVM is the veterinary component of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) and has been used for several thousand years to treat animal diseases. There are four components to TCVM:
1. Acupuncture
2. Herbal Therapy
3. Food Therapy
4. Tui Na (Massage)

Acupuncture and Herbal therapy are used most commonly in the U.S. although Food Therapy is gaining popularity.

TCVM diagnosis and therapy are based on the Taoist principles of balance in the body and environment and the movement of “Qi” or “Life Force” within the body. Central to Taoist philosophy is Yin/Yang Theory. In the body Yang factors are represented by External, Excess, Hot and Dry. These are opposed by the Yin factors of Interior, Deficient, Cold and Damp. Disease is based on imbalances in these factors and the organ system(s) involved. Treatment is based on returning balance to the body. The TCVM practitioner should also determine what external factors such as cold, dampness or diet and internal factors such as stress or over exercise may have led to these imbalances so that future problems may be avoided.

TCVM is generally considered to be a form of complementary therapy and produces the best results when combined with conventional therapy. TCVM lacks the tools to isolate individual causative factors like bacteria or viruses and is generally not well suited to acute conditions. Conventional medicine, with its state-of-the-art diagnostics and powerful drugs, is better suited for these conditions. TCVM, on the other hand works well for chronic conditions such as kidney or liver failure, which do not always respond to conventional therapies. In addition, conventional drugs often have serious side effects while TCVM herbal therapies have been modified and balanced over hundreds of years to avoid unwanted effects.

Office Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 10am-7pm
Thursday - Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 10am-1pm
Sunday: Closed

Contact

(314) 353-3444
7001 Hampton Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63109

Emergency After Hours

South Metro Area:
(314) 822-7600

St. Charles County Area:
(636) 240-5496
stlouisanimalemergencyclinic.org

7001 Hampton Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63109