More and more people are understanding that well-being encompasses body, mind and spirit, and as a result, are turning to alternative healing modalties. And, as they are experiencing the benefits of alternative therapies for themselves, they also look for alternative ways of caring for their cats.
Illness and even the normal aging process can manifest in signs of pain and reduced energy in cats as well as in humans. Your personal stress can be reflected in your cats and create illness for them. Conventional medical treatments often cause side effects that can be alleviated by alternative therapies.
Many alternative therapies are energy based. Since cats are naturally sensitive to energy, they tend to respond well to these modalities.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a medical stystem that has been used to treat animals in China for thousands of years. Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into the acupuncture points. Veterinary acupuncturist may also use aquapuncture (injecting small amounts of vitamin B12 or saline into the acupuncture points), Moxa (an herb that is lit to heat the acupuncture needles), or electrical stimulation of the needles.
Acupuncture can be beneficial for muskuloskeletal problems such as arthritis, neurological problems, gastrointestinal problems, any chronic or acute condition, stress relief, prevention of disease, strengthening of the immune system, regulation of blood pressure, endocrine conditions, cardiac conditions, and respiratory problems such as asthma.
Acupuncture is a medical procedure and should be performed by a veterinarian.
Reiki
Reiki is a hands-on healing method that originated in Japan. The practitioner channels healing energy through her hands to the animal through a light touch either directly on the body or from a distance. The word Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese composite word usually translated as “universal life energy”. It is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, your pets are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, they’ll often be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki is a safe complement to conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy and all other forms of healing.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy was initiated in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It stimulates the natural healing process via the use of extreme dilutions of substances that in undiluted form might cause symptoms of a disease. While simple in theory, the process requires skill and experience, especially when treating chronic illnesses. It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian who is trained in homeopathy.
Flower Essences
Flower essences have been used since ancient times to provide vibrational healing for mind, body and spirit for people. Hildegard von Bingen (12th century) and Paracelsus (15th century) both wrote about the use of flowering plants to treat health imbalances. The healing method became better know in the 1930’s when Dr. Edward Bach, a British practitioner of homeopathy and bacteriology, developed his range of 38 essences known as the Bach Flower Essences.
This article was first published on Answers.com and is republished with permission.
