Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy in Pain Management

Complementary or alternative medicine pain management techniques, used alone or integrated into Western medicine-based protocols, include, but are not limited to acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathic remedies, chiropractic, and massage. The mechanisms underlying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, can be approached from many angles. The TCM and homeopathy offer veterinarians complementary or alternative options for managing pain in their patients. These tools may allow for better clinical control with fewer adverse effects than Western pharmaceuticals. As the use of these complementary methods grows among human patients, it is likely that there will be a greater demand for such therapies in veterinary patients.