The Role Of Chinese Medicine And Canine Chronic Pain

Traditional Chinese medicine views chronic joint and muscle pain much differently than western medicine. Most of the time the western docs will  group canine pain into the well known category  "arthritis", whereas Chinese medicine will call pain of any sort   "bi zheng" and which translates to the Chinese medicine pattern known as painful obstruction syndrome.

For severe and chronic pain (bi zheng) we use what are called wind-damp dispelling herbs to help  eliminate pathogens from muscles and joints. These herbs may be used to treat the symptoms for western diseases such as arthritis, arthralgia, sciatica, bone spurs, and even post stroke complications.

Traditional Chinese medicine classic texts don't mention the diseases you know as arthritis etc., but instead they  provided us with a long and rich history of the various patterns that are associated with bodily aches and pains as well as what particular herbs should be used for each type of pattern. A pattern according to Chinese medicine is characterized as a bodily disharmony. A pattern of disharmony can be brought back into balance by food, herbs, massage etc.

Please be aware that we do not make claims that we cure or treat western diseases and example such as arthritis...You already have your veterinarian to provide your dog with all necessary medicines for that issue,  however we do proudly offer remedies that help to treat aches and pain associated with various pattern due to environmental factors such as wind, cold, damp, as well as conditions of excess or deficiencies that we say may cause internals obstructions that results in aches and pains. ... it's a whole new way of approaching a system that is out of balance...!

Chinese Herbal Medicine And What They Can Do For Your Dog

1) Dispel wind and damp in order to relieve pain: These herbs strongly dispel exterior pathogenic factors of wind, cold and damp in order to help relieve pain.

2) Open peripheral channels and col laterals: these herbs eliminate stagnation as to address chronic and stubborn bi zheng (painful obstructions syndrome) which presents with decreased   range of movement of the joints, decreased mobility of the extremities, bodily numbness, hemiplegia and paralysis.

3) Dispel wind and damp by strengthening the tendons and bones: these herbs enter the Liver and Kidney channels to tonify the tendons and bones. These herbs are used when the dog presents with pain, soreness and weakness which is of a deficiency nature as well as possible atrophy of soft tissue.

What Type of Pain Pattern Does Your Dog Experience?

Bi Zheng (painful Obstruction) is attributed to exterior factors...this is a very easy concept to understand; Think about it this way; How many people do you know that will tell you that their joints hurt more when its cold or when its damp outside?

TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) is based  firmly and fundamentally  believes that the environment and the physical body have a very direct relationship to each other and  says one effects the other and thus  bi zheng (painful obstruction) is in most instances is caused by exterior pathogenic factors namely Wind, Cold and Dampness.

Since there are many different external factors that can cause painful obstruction syndrome,  we must use many different formulas to treat the various types of bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) as listed below:

* Xing bi (mobil painful obstruction): Characterized by pain in the upper body, and the pain moves around and is not fixed,

* Tong bi (extremely painful obstruction) presents with noticeable cold signs and symptoms, and you will notice that the pain becomes worse when the weather is cold. The pain is fixed and localized to one area and is extremely painful.

* Zhuo bi (fixed painful obstruction) is pain that worsens when the weather becomes more damp, the pain is a feeling of heavyness and sinking, and the area of pain is fixed and located on the lower extremities

* Red bi (painful obstructions) which is characterized by a sensation of heat, redness, swelling as well as pain. This pattern is due to long term obstruction of channels by wind, cold or damp.

* Wan bi (painful obstruction) is caused by repetitive injuries to the same areas, causing stiffness, numbness, and lack of mobility.

* Wei bi (atrophic painful obstruction) is caused by deficiency of the TCM Liver and Kidney, with such presentations as atrophy, weakness, and pain of the muscles and bones.

* Xue bi: (blood painful obstruction) is due to the condition of the blood, and is characterized by dull achey pain due to blood failing to nourish the tendons and bones.

* Zhou bi (generalized painful obstruction) is characterized by generalized pain that also affects the bones and joints.

So as you see, we have many different patterns that will encompass pain, but don't worry we take the worry of selection out of your hands. At the time of purchase we prompt you to fill out a information form and from that we pick the right herbs for your dog!