Non-Invasive Therapies

What Are Some Non-Invasive Therapies for Dog ACL Injures?

There are a number of holistic, natural options available for your pet’s care. Within the past decade it seems more research and work has been done in the field of alternative medicine for dogs. Some treatments available to your pet include chiropractic care, acupuncture/acupressure, massage, nutritional therapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine and more.

One of the main driving forces behind a more natural, non-invasive healthcare model for our pets is that illness or dis-ease is not confined to one area of the body. In the case of an ACL injury, this means that more than just your dog’s injured knee joint needs to be focused upon and healed.

Veterinary Chiropractic

The philosophy behind chiropractic care for animals is analogous to that of humans. Veterinary Chiropractors treat and correct subluxations (i.e. bones “out of position” or not moving in a correct manner) in an effort to re-establish the connection between the spine and nervous system. While chiropractice care may not be directly applicable to dogs with cruciate ligament injuries, it is important to mention as a non-invasive approach to achieving health and balance within your pet.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure both rely on the placement of either needles (acupuncture) or focused pressure (acupressure) along certain meridians of the body to restore the energy path. Acupuncture and/or acupressure can be a great way for your pet to gain relief from pain and obtain immune system benefits while healing from a cruciate ligament injury.

Massage

A gentle and non-invasive therapy, massage can help to reduce stress and relieve pain. More specifically with regard to cruciate ligament recovery, massage therapy can help your dog’s muscle tone, decrease their healing time and increase their range of motion as they recover.

Nutritional Therapy

We all know diet is a key part in maintaining health. There are a variety of nutritional therapies that may help your pet to be more comfortable during the recovery process. Nutritional therapy is also helpful to dogs with cruciate ligament injury as it can be used as a way to both decrease and control their weight; less weight means less stress on the knee joint.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on the thought that every being (dogs included) has the ability to heal themselves. Heath problems, therefore, occur when our body’s innate ability to heal is somehow hindered. The main goal of homeopathy is the encourage the body to heal itself. This stimulation to heal is accomplished through the use of diluted herbs, minerals and other natural substances. There are veterinarians worldwide that specialize in veterinary homeopathy.

Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used for over 3,000 years in China and worldwide. Before pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies were used to heal and balance the human body. Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used to support your dog’s health in a variety of ways – there are even specific herbs for joint support and healing.