How a Naturopawthic Approach Heals

Using Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Body Work

Here we present cases which highlight how a naturopathic, holistic, integrative approach helps patients with internal medicine and orthopedic conditions.

Inflammatory Bowel disease with H. Pylori

•Raven, a 3 year old, female spayed mixed breed suffering with chronic vomiting and weight loss since a year of age​. In 2016 Canine Microbiota Dysbiosis panel concluded she had Inflammatory Bowel disease and protein loosing enteropathy. Unfortunately she continued to loose weight and vomit up undigested food. She weighed only 13 lbs now. Biopsies of her stomach and small intestine revealed H. pylori in her stomach (a cause of ulcers) and severe inflammatory bowel disease. She was started on B vitamin supplementations (cobalamin and folate) and a hydrolyzed diet and antibiotics. But she continued to loose weight and vomit.

Raven presented to me very very thin and emaciated in July of 2017. I treated her with acupuncture and sent her home with supplements and herbal formulas.

My goals for her were  

1. decrease inflammation

2. Address leaky gut syndrome

3. Provide immune support

4. Heal gut mucosa & improve absorption

5. Improve digestion

By November of 2017, Raven was doing great! She was gaining weight, not vomiting and a super happy pup!! She has continued to thrive afterwards, as this approach gets to the root causes of her problems and supported her body so that it could be in balance again.

Fibrocartilagenous Embolism (FCE)

Yogi experienced sudden onset of paralysis, due to fibrocartilagenous emboli at T11-L1. He was referred from his physical therapist for acupuncture and laser to speed up the healing process.

On his first visit he was unable to walk with his back legs, but was in great spirits! He was treated with laser therapy (see picture to the right) and acupuncture. He was sent home with herbal formulas for inflammation, and circulation. By his second treatment he was walking on his own, wobbly, but on his own. By his fourth treatment, he was able to have a full body shake without falling over, and was moving around with more hind end strength. After 2 months, he was moving around back to his old self.

Here is a great case of collaboration. By being treated with acupuncture and laser as well as seeing a physical therapist, Yogi was able to have a smooth speedy recovery.

Masticatory Myositis

Morgan came in after months of unsuccessful treatments with multiple medications. She had been diagnosed with masticatory myositis, after presenting to the specialty hospital with a fever of unknown origin, anorexia and severe muscle loss of the head (see the picture on the left). She came in for a holistic approach to integrate in with her current medications, as she had been on a high dose of steroids for several months and there was no change to her muscling, energy, or appetite.

She did fantastic for her first acupuncture treatment and went home with herbal formulations for her immune system, thyroid, musculoskeletal system, connective, stress, liver, and gut. We were able to taper her off of her prednisone over the next four weeks as her energy, appetite and muscling increased. It was vital to see Morgan ever few weeks for acupuncture and to monitor her as she took her herbs and weaned off of her prednisone.

She continues to come in for maintenance acupuncture to keep her body in balance.