Integrative Care FAQ

 Integrative Medicine (IM) is a healing-oriented style of medicine that takes into account of the whole animal, including all aspects of animal-caregiving.  It emphasizes the relationship between veterinarian and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all available and appropriate therapies. 

This definition is adapted from the University of Arizona's Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

The Defining Principles of Integrative Medicine

1. Patient and veterinarian are partners in the healing process.  This means that we use a force-free and patient-centered approach to care and strive for a consistently positive relationship with our patients. 
2. All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including an animal's behavior, environment and interactions with their caregiver(s). 
3. Appropriate use of both conventional and alternative methods facilitates the animal's innate biological healing response.
4. Effective interventions that are natural and less invasive are used whenever possible.
5. Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically.
6. Good medicine is based in good science. It is inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms.

These principles are adapted from the University of Arizona's Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

We use acupuncture, electroacupuncture (also called e-stim or PENS), laser and red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation), massage, botanical medicine, and physical exercises. We integrate these modalities with your animal's traditional medical and/or surgical plan.

Any chronic condition is a candidate for treatment using integrative medicine.  The integrative medicine advantage is that it expands the therapeutic opportunities available to treat common diseases, thereby expanding the potential for healing. 

Yes.  All of the modalities used in integrative care are evidence-based, meaning there is a large and growing body of scientific research concerning each one.  To read more about this science, please consult our Resources page. 

Many pet insurances cover integrative care.  We are happy to provide you with an invoice or fill out your pet insurance's paperwork in order to get your visit covered.  Please check with your insurance provider regarding whether or not they cover acupuncture and laser treatment.