Alternative medicine for dogs is an important topic of study, considering all the information currently available on disease, natural healing and unwanted side effects of traditional medication. Alternative methods of healing such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, chiropractic and homeopathy can be used to replace traditional medicine, or can be used in conjunction to enhance its effects. Since the majority of alternative healing techniques are all natural, organic or require only mental or hands-on healing, they are safe to try for effectiveness on your dog, without fear of negative interaction with traditional drugs.
Vitamins and Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are increasing in popularity and are therefore now readily available at local pet stores, online and even in your neighborhood grocery store. Vitamins, herbs and essential oils use natural and organic plants and substances that have a successful history of healing certain ailments, or preventing them entirely. While herbs and vitamins are very important to the overall health and well-being of your dog, you should be careful to research each substance before introducing it into your dog's routine or diet. The natural chemicals of certain herbs or oils may be toxic to dogs, as they have their own unique physical and physiological makeup.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an Eastern philosophy that uses manipulation of life force energy to open up healing pathways. Acupuncture couples hands-on treatment with needles, laser or infrared lighting to identify blocked or clogged areas of the body. These blockages are then cleared using treatment to allow healing energy to regain normal flow, thus healing the pain, freeing the blockage or healing the disease. Practitioners believe that enhancing the flow of this energy will often surpass the simple healing of pain to reintroduce vibrancy, vitality and a sense of playfulness back into your dog's life.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that has become more mainstream, but not necessarily for dogs. Going to the chiropractor can be effective to realign your dog's spine, in turn alleviating pain and often re-strengthening muscles and reversing degeneration. Using chiropractic medicine can also enhance the nervous system by unblocking energy flow that sends communication between the dog's body and brain. Chiropractic therapy can be successful at relieving localized pain, as well as enhancing the entire well-being of your dog.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that was discovered in the late 1700s. It encompasses the idea that 'like heals like.' In other words, natural substances that cause symptoms can also heal them by stimulating the immune system, suggesting that it produces the proper reaction to fight off disease and infection. With homeopathy, less focus is put upon the problem or diagnosis, and more upon the symptoms themselves. These symptoms are then stimulated by tiny amounts of a natural substance causing a similar reaction. The natural substance then replaces the disease, providing the immune system the strength to begin healing itself. Homeopathy is becoming an increasingly popular method of alternative medicine for dogs.