Alternative Medicine

Stimulating the immune system. Reducing inflammation. Accelerating healing.

Laser Therapy
Massage Therapy
Acupuncture
Laser Therapy
Massage Therapy
Acupuncture

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is beneficial for treating inflammatory processes in the body and is often utilized for many various injuries or conditions including, but not limited to, post-surgical procedures on incision sites, ear infections and even osteoarthritis.

Laser Therapy can be used to treat many conditions including:

Acute Conditions:

  • Ear infections
  • Infections
  • Cuts/ Bites
  • Inflammations
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Pain Relief Sprains
  • Strains & Fractures
  • Post-Surgical Healing

Pain Relief Chronic Conditions:

  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Periodontal Disease
  • Lick Granulomas
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Feline Acne Tendonitis
  • Arthritis

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is beneficial for treating inflammatory processes in the body and is often utilized for many various injuries or conditions including, but not limited to, post-surgical procedures on incision sites, ear infections and even osteoarthritis.

Laser Therapy can be used to treat many conditions including:

Acute Conditions:

  • Ear infections
  • Infections
  • Cuts/ Bites
  • Inflammations
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Pain Relief Sprains
  • Strains & Fractures
  • Post-Surgical Healing

Pain Relief Chronic Conditions:

  • Degenerative Joint Disease
  • Periodontal Disease
  • Lick Granulomas
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Feline Acne Tendonitis
  • Arthritis

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is “the use of fingers, hands, and machines to manipulate the soft tissues, or stimulate at the cellular or neurological level of the body to improve healing and recovery” – IVC Journal.

Massage is a form of holistic care as it restores balance and increases the individual’s overall wellness. Massage therapy is a great way to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, reduce swelling, improve joint flexibility, promote tissue healing and increase circulation. It is still important to get a veterinarian’s consent before trying massage therapy. This is because massage therapy is contraindicated in patients with fevers, internal organ problems, undiagnosed masses, bacterial or fungal diseases and fracture disease.

Myofascial Release- This technique is used to release tension in the fascia due to conformation issues, trauma, or inflammation. Fascia is the tissue that surrounds the muscles, bones, and organs in the body. 

Acupressure- Acupressure replenishes and maintains the health of animals using non-invasive touch techniques to move and balance life force energy. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the hands are used to stimulate points. 

Friction Massage- This is used to decrease the inflammatory response. Particulary in tendonitis cases, the technique is performed by making small circular movements, in which facilitates more circulation.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is “the use of fingers, hands, and machines to manipulate the soft tissues, or stimulate at the cellular or neurological level of the body to improve healing and recovery” – IVC Journal.

Massage is a form of holistic care as it restores balance and increases the individual’s overall wellness. Massage therapy is a great way to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, reduce swelling, improve joint flexibility, promote tissue healing and increase circulation. It is still important to get a veterinarian’s consent before trying massage therapy. This is because massage therapy is contraindicated in patients with fevers, internal organ problems, undiagnosed masses, bacterial or fungal diseases and fracture disease.

Myofascial Release- This technique is used to release tension in the fascia due to conformation issues, trauma, or inflammation. Fascia is the tissue that surrounds the muscles, bones, and organs in the body. 

Acupressure- Acupressure replenishes and maintains the health of animals using non-invasive touch techniques to move and balance life force energy. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the hands are used to stimulate points. 

Friction Massage- This is used to decrease the inflammatory response. Particulary in tendonitis cases, the technique is performed by making small circular movements, in which facilitates more circulation.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be used to help treat numerous conditions. These conditions include but are not limited to:

  • Post surgery recovery
  • Trauma recovery
  • Muscle and ligament injuries
  • Recurrent inflammatory conditions
  • Inflammed and contracted tendons
  • Development and maintenance of muscles
  • Stiffness and joint discomfort
  • Stress relief
  • Building self confidence, sociability, and trust
  • End of life care transitions

Acupuncture

“Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. This condition of holistic health is defined as the unlimited and unimpeded free flow of life force energy through body, mind, and spirit.”
~American Holistic Health Association

The term “holistic medicine” has evolved so much in our common dialect that few people understand its actual meaning. Although holistic medicine embraces both traditional and alternative therapies, it is often misused to describe only nonconventional medicine. In an effort to continue providing the best care and medicine to our patients, the Burlington Veterinary Center has introduced new therapies to complement our strong foundation of conventional western medicine. Despite common perception, traditional western medicine and alternative therapies have been known to work synergistically rather than conflict with each other. It is our goal to take advantage of this relationship in a way that will provide the greatest benefit to our patients.

Acupuncture

“Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. This condition of holistic health is defined as the unlimited and unimpeded free flow of life force energy through body, mind, and spirit.”
~American Holistic Health Association


The term “holistic medicine” has evolved so much in our common dialect that few people understand its actual meaning. Although holistic medicine embraces both traditional and alternative therapies, it is often misused to describe only nonconventional medicine. In an effort to continue providing the best care and medicine to our patients, the Burlington Veterinary Center has introduced new therapies to complement our strong foundation of conventional western medicine. Despite common perception, traditional western medicine and alternative therapies have been known to work synergistically rather than conflict with each other. It is our goal to take advantage of this relationship in a way that will provide the greatest benefit to our patients.

Acupuncture Benefits

Acupuncture is different from traditional western medicine. Profound therapeutic effects can be achieved without the adverse effects often associated with conventional medicine. Acupuncture is particularly valuable when medications are poorly tolerated or contraindicated in a patient.

Acupuncture can also compliment the effects of western medicine, especially in the treatment of chronic conditions. The addition of acupuncture to an established treatment regimen can improve clinical outcome. Acupuncture can potentiate the positive effects of western medicine in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and osteoarthritis. It can also be used to palliate the adverse effects of western medications, such as antibiotic-induced diarrhea or side effects from chemotherapy.

Acupuncture is also a great option for patients with more than one condition. A single acupuncture session can be used to treat musculoskeletal pain in multiple areas, as well as concurrent systemic diseases.

Here are just some of the diseases acupuncture can help:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Sinusitis
  • Asthma
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Lymphoma
  • Allergies
  • Renal Failure

Acupuncture Benefits

Acupuncture is different from traditional western medicine. Profound therapeutic effects can be achieved without the adverse effects often associated with conventional medicine. Acupuncture is particularly valuable when medications are poorly tolerated or contraindicated in a patient.


Acupuncture can also compliment the effects of western medicine, especially in the treatment of chronic conditions. The addition of acupuncture to an established treatment regimen can improve clinical outcome. Acupuncture can potentiate the positive effects of western medicine in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and osteoarthritis. It can also be used to palliate the adverse effects of western medications, such as antibiotic-induced diarrhea or side effects from chemotherapy.

Acupuncture is also a great option for patients with more than one condition. A single acupuncture session can be used to treat musculoskeletal pain in multiple areas, as well as concurrent systemic diseases.

Here are just some of the diseases acupuncture can help:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Sinusitis
  • Asthma
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Lymphoma
  • Allergies
  • Renal Failure

Acupuncture FAQ

Veterinary acupuncture has been practiced for over 3000 years in China! Broadly, acupuncture is the practice of using fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. In eastern medicine, it is believed that a life force energy or “Qi” flows through the body along specific pathways known as meridians. Pathology occurs when there is an imbalance caused by an excess, deficiency, or stagnation of Qi. Stimulation of specific points along these meridians is used to correct the imbalance. In western medicine, doctors have recognized that these designated points have an abundance of nerve endings, lymphatics, and blood vessels, likely facilitating their actions.

Most dogs and cats are extremely tolerant of acupuncture therapy. In fact, many patients enjoy their sessions as they associate them with relaxation and pain relief. The needles used for acupuncture are very fine and we work with the patient to create the most comfortable experience possible. It is common for owners to notice that their pets are more relaxed and even enthusiastic about coming into the hospital because of their positive experience with acupuncture.

The treatment schedule for acupuncture usually depends on the patient and pathology that we are treating. In general, most patients start with 1-2 treatments per week for 3-4 weeks. Then treatment intervals are gradually increased to once per month or once every few months.

People usually associate acupuncture with the treatment of orthopedic and neurologic conditions. However, acupuncture can be used for so much more!

Herbal therapy is the use of a plant or plant extract to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease. Herbal therapy is often used in combination with acupuncture or even western pharmaceuticals. The major difference between herbal medicines and western pharmaceuticals is the lack of significant alteration from its natural form. For example, consider the effects of drinking a cup of coffee in the morning versus taking a caffeine pill. Your cup of coffee is more like herbal therapy, while a caffeine pill is more like a pharmaceutical medication. Supporters of herbal therapy argue that the cup of coffee has less adverse effects because it is in its naturally occurring state. Herbal therapy is often necessary to compliment the effects of acupuncture, especially for internal conditions.