What We Do

Acupuncture is a treatment modality that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. Simply, it is the insertion of sterile needles into specific points in the body to cause a desired healing effect. Acupuncture points are neurovascular bundles (nerve endings, an artery and a vein, a lymphatic channel, and numerous mast cells). Insertion of needles causes micro-trauma of the tissues, which starts a healing cascade. We see increased blood flow, an influx of healing cells, and relaxation of the muscles and tissues in that area. There is also a release of natural endorphins for pain relief. Acupuncture points flow as meridians, which closely follow a map of our nervous system. Certain organs are related to specific acupuncture points (for example, the kidney association point is in the lower lumbar area in close proximity to where the kidneys are located). Points are selected based on the patient’s presenting problem, and the root cause of the issue we are trying to correct. 

What if my pet cannot tolerate AP?

That's OK!  Although 90% of my patients do well with needles, there are some that are quite sensitive.  The beauty of TCVM is that there are 3 other pillars that we can use, in addition to allopathic treatments.  We will talk about diet and exercise, environmental enrichment, laser, bodywork, and many at home treatment protocols.  

Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is a major branch of Chinese Medicine. Although most associate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with acupuncture, the majority of cases in TCM clinics in China are treated with herbs, either with acupuncture or alone, rather than with just acupuncture. Now more and more TVCM practitioners are following suit by incorporating herbs in their veterinary practice. CHM therapies have their historical origins with TCM and date back 4,000 years. Herbs today are prepared with the benefits of modern technology but are still guided by the historical wisdom underlying TCM. In CHM practice, herbs are used to correct imbalance underlying a disease pattern and to promote the body's ability to heal itself. Each herb has a different effect on the body and can fall under a number of classifications such as warming, cooling, sour, or bitter and can affect a variety of organs, including the liver, lungs, or heart. TCVM utilizes herbal formulas that are a combination of single-herb ingredients to treat a specific pattern of disease.

The increasing popularity of CHM lies in the fact that it is an all-natural treatment option that is generally safe and effective when prescribed correctly. An extensive body of clinical research has shown CHM to be extremely effective in treating chronic veterinary medical issues in the fields of gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, reproduction, oncology, and animal behavior. CHM is also commonly used to treat respiratory issues and sports injuries. In addition, CHM increases the quality of life for geriatric patients, especially those diagnosed with terminal cancer, as it assists the body's ability to reduce tumor size when chemotherapy may not an option. CHM can be combined with acupuncture and/or Western Medicine to enhance clinical results.

Tui-Na translates to “push-pull or lift”. It is Chinese Medical Manipulation or body work/massage. This treatment modality focuses on the whole body using acupoints and meridians to relieve pain, strengthen and restore balance to the body. 

Tui-na is a manual therapy that is one of the four branches of TCVM and uses Chinese medical theory as the basis for its application and actions. It was first used in the 16th-11th centuries BC and references to this treatment can be found in the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperors Inner Classic, written in 475-221 BC). From a conventional medicine perspective, Tui-na can be thought of as corresponding to a combination of acupressure, conventional massage, and chiropractic techniques. It can be used to regulate the Channels, soothe joints and sinews, promote circulation of Qi and Blood, strengthen the immune system, and promote normal function of the Zang-Fu organs.

Tui-na is most commonly used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and is also useful as a preventative medicine therapy because it promotes balance in the body. It can also be used in conjunction with and to enhance acupuncture and herbal treatments. Small animals, large animals, and exotic species all respond well to Tui-na, and it can be administered on animals that will not allow the insertion of acupuncture needles. It is safe and effective with no known side effects. Although veterinarians must receive specialized training in the techniques and applications of Tui-na, once mastered, several Tui-na techniques can be taught to caretakers for home treatments. Mo-fa (touching skin and muscle), Rou-fa (rotary kneading), Ca-fa (rubbing), Tui-fa (pushing), An-fa (pressing), Nie-fa (pinching), Dou-fa (shaking), Ba-shen-fa (stretching) and Cuo-fa (kneading) are techniques that caretakers can learn and use to accelerate the healing process and deepen the connection with their animals.

We are what we eat after all.  Food provides the building blocks of our overall health, so it’s no surprise that feeding the right foods cause a profound improvement in overall health.

Dr. Kline is trained in food therapy as an arm of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.  This modality focuses on individual constitution following 5 Element Theory and Food Energetics.  

There is truth to the old saying: “food is the medicine you take every day.” The healing power of food is a central belief Chinese Medicine, as food therapy is one of the four major branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Like other TCVM modalities, the ultimate goal of food therapy is to restore and maintain balance in the body. Diet plans are tailored to individual patients based on their unique tendencies, age, species, geographical location, personality, and current disharmony or disease process. Food ingredients are chosen based on their energetic properties, which include both thermal energetic property and taste. Although the effects are slower compared to other modalities, there are virtually no side effects when food ingredients are chosen correctly. Food therapy is also very popular amongst owners as it empowers them to take part in their animal's TCVM therapy and can be used safely throughout the pet’s lifetime.

It is similar to chiropractic adjustments in humans; VMM involves manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints in animals that which is very safe when performed by a trained Doctor or Veterinary Medicine. The health of cartilage, muscles and nerves are dependent upon normal motion. If a joint becomes restricted we see abnormal mobility with muscle tension, pain, weakened muscles, cartilage degradation and lameness. Restrictions in the spinal vertebrae can results in impingement of spinal nerves which can cause, back pain, organ dysfunction, poor immune function and abnormal mobility. 

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, is a painless treatment that uses clinically tested wavelengths of light to stimulate natural biological processes leading to faster healing and pain relief.  Like plants absorbing sunlight through photosynthesis, cells in the body absorb laser energy that stimulates the body to release pain relieving compounds, increases circulation and energizes the cells to participate in the healing process.  There are no side effects and many times laser therapy can take the place of pharmaceuticals and surgery to treat long-term, degenerative diseases.

Magnetism is a fundamental force that is essential for life on Earth. PEMF uses pulsing electromagnetic fields to jumpstart and accelerate normal biological cellular reactions.

Very simply, cells contain electrically charged particles called ions that govern all cellular processes. When the body is stressed by illness, competition, environmental factors or age, the cellular membrane that conducts the essential ions in to and out of the cell becomes comprised and is unable to efficiently do its job of managing the transport of these ions. When the PEMF generated by the Respond Systems bed penetrates the body, a magnetic field in motion is created that immediately and positively directly impacts these ions and membrane potential to stimulate them into action. The result is an increase in cellular communication and circulation, a decrease in inflammation and pain and a resulting acceleration of healing.

There are no side effects and many times PEMF can be used in place of pharmaceuticals to treat long-term, degenerative conditions.

* from Respond Systems

YES! TCVM is often considered as a form of complementary therapy and is best when used in conjunction with Western Veterinary Medicine (WVM). Both TCVM and WVM have their own strengths and weaknesses. TCVM is a holistic approach that is suited to assessing the well-being of the whole patient, and treatments are generally non-invasive with few side effects. However, TCVM lacks the tools necessary to pinpoint illness to specific disease-causing agents like pathogenic bacteria or viruses, and treatments are better suited for chronic conditions than acute ones. On the other hand, WVM utilizes the tools of modern science to diagnose disease with great precision, and Western drugs and procedures are powerful and fast-acting. However, its insistence on detailed diagnosis may come at the expense of getting the larger picture. Furthermore, while modern medicine can perform miracles for trauma and acute injuries, it has limited offerings for chronic conditions like liver disease  and atopy which can be treated effectively with acupuncture and herbal medicine. In many ways, TCVM and WVM each has what the other lacks. Thus, the best medical system involves the integration of the two systems, so that the strengths of one can compensate for the weaknesses of the other.

Prevention of and slowing down disease is another strength that TCVM offers.

Service Fee Schedule

Initial Consultation and Treatment (Customized treatment plan may  include AP, VMM, PEMF Therapy, Cold Laser, Food and Herbal Therapy*)

$295 for up to 90 minutes

*Herbs, Supplements and Injections are charged separately

Follow up Treatment

$195 for up to 60 minutes

Extended consultations may be charged by the half hour

$75

Extended email consultations without in person follow up

sessions may be charged by the half hour

$50

Injection service (Librela, Ketamine, Adequan, etc) only with no follow up appointment

$35 plus cost of medication

Frequency of recommended treatment depends on the case.  An acutely paralyzed patient will need to come more often than one who is seeking treatment for chronic behavioral issues.  But a rule good rule of thumb is once every 1-2 weeks for 3 treatments, then we can reassess.  The goal is to come as infrequently as possible.  Once every 2-4 weeks is average, but many do well once every 3 months for a touch up.