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A message from our Director of Program Development

Many of our sponsors have human and animal clientele; consequently we have included modalities and therapies for humans in this list, as we believe they will be of interest. Most holistic practitioners seek more natural healthcare for themselves and practice more holistic life styles. Therefore, it is practical that we be aware of the availability of our diverse and valuable resources.  Practicing a more natural lifestyle, consuming healthier diets, feeding our animals with that same mentality, being a proactive consumer, enhancing our awareness and always sharing our knowledge will enhance our earth mother’s ability to stay in balance.

The fact that many animal therapies are based on human therapies with adaptations to accommodate anatomy, form and function, make it crucial that as therapists, we are always informed and stay educated on the latest updates and therapies.

This section offers definitions and information about the complementary treatments and therapies offered by IAATH sponsors. It is not an exhaustive list of therapies, as there are many available, often with strong overlaps. We expand the items in this section as sponsors who practice in new areas come on board.

Bennie Jean Kuehnle


If you have any animal therapy questions, please post them to our Yahoo! message board so that all our sponsors may be able to address them or

Visit our new blog at and post your questions, concerns or comments.

If you are a current IAATH sponsor wishing to add a treatment or therapy definition to this list, please use the following format and e-mail to the IAATH webmaster.

Suggested Format for Modality Descriptions

NOTE:  This page is under continual construction.  Be sure to check back regularly for more treatments and therapies.

 

Treatments and Therapies

Acupressure

Applies the same theory, principles and practice as acupuncture, by using finger pressure instead of needles.  (more...)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into the body to activate a change in its state of functioning. This ancient Eastern practice is based on the belief that health is determined by chi, the vital life force that (more...)

Akashic Records

The Akashic Records is a term from Theosophy denoting a collection of mystical knowledge encoded in a non-physical plane of existence. The Records are supposed to contain all knowledge, including all human experience, held in the Universe. The Akashic Records are metaphorically described as a library and are also likened to a universal computer (more...)

The Alexander Technique
Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) created a series of lessons to improve posture, increase freedom of movement, and reduce physical tension. An actor, he originally taught fellow actors his methods to make them feel more comfortable in their own bodies and to overcome (more...)

Animal Communication

Animals do not speak our language, but their thoughts and feelings can be interpreted by a sensing process allowing the human to "share awareness" with the animal. The human then makes an interpretation of the (more...)

Animal Therapy for Aging or Terminally Ill Pets
Many people with elderly or extremely and terminally ill pets will go to tremendous lengths to improve the quality of their life. Alternative (more...)

Apitherapy
The medical use of honeybee products. This can include the use of honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom. Claims of apitherapy (more...)


Aromatherapy

The term aromatherapy was named by the Frenchman Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a chemist in a perfume factory, who sustained a serious burn to his hand in a laboratory accident. He immediately plunged (more...)

Aston-Patterning
Technique tailoring guided movement and postural retraining to the particular characteristics of each individual’s body. Judith Aston came to Ida Rolf for treatment after several automobile accidents. Originally trained as a dancer, she was told she should give up her career. (more...)

Astrology
The astrological signs have many practical applications in animal therapy. Knowing an animal’s astrological sign can many times give (more...)

Auriculotherapy
The ear is a localized reflex system connected to the central nervous system (whereas ear acupuncture focuses on empirical acupoints known for their specific functions. According to the principles of (more...)

Auricular Medicine
Auricular medicine is a highly effective system for analyzing areas of problems, and treating the entire body from the external ear. It originated in China, but has been redeveloped in Europe (primarily France and Germany) over (more...)

Autogenic Training
Restores the balance between the activity of the sympathetic (flight or fight) and the parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches of the autonomic nervous system. This has important health benefits, as the (more...)

Ayurveda
Literally translated means "the science or knowledge of life," is the traditional holistic medical system of India. Although Ayurveda is practiced in India as a comprehensive health care system with eight branches, including pediatrics and gynecology, it has only recently become known in the (more...)

Bach Flower Remedies
Dr. Edward Bach was a medical consultant, bacteriologist and homeopath who formulated the Bach flower remedies in the 1930s. All the remedies are prepared from wild flowers, shrubs and trees and preserved (more...)


Behavioral Therapy

The field of animal psychology and behavior is the science of studying how animals think, feel and behave. This study has mostly targeted the understanding of either “wild animals” or “pest species” for obvious (more...)

Bioenergetics
Bioenergetics seeks to release the energy in tense or "blocked" areas of the body and alleviate chronic stresses and chronic muscular tensions. Biogenetics therapists study muscular patterns developed through physical (more...)

Biofeedback
Therapy using computerized machines to measure and display body functions and states. By monitoring these mental and physical functions through stages of rest and activity, they can be controlled. Biofeedback helps patients improve their health by understanding signals from their own bodies (more...)

Bioptron Light Therapy
See Bioptron Animal Health Web Site

Body Logic
Body Logic is a system of bodywork and body understanding developed by Yamuna Zake. It uses the principle of "space making" whereby (more...)

Bowen Technique (NST)
Version of a group of technical interpretations of the work of Australian self proclaimed osteopath Tom Bowen 1916 - 1982 known as Bowen Therapy which is a holistic system of healing. The Bowen Technique was limited to Australia until 1986, four years after Bowen's death in 1982, when it (more...)

Breathwork
Usually refers to controlled breathing techniques or deliberate hyperventilation, when used within psychotherapy or meditation. Proponents believe the technique may be used to attain alternate states of consciousness, and that sustained practice of breathwork may result in spiritual or psychological benefits.

Breema
A comprehensive system of bodywork, done on the floor, with a variety of techniques ranging from simple holding points on the body to techniques requiring flexibility and dexterity. Breema practitioners release (more...)

Chakra Energy Balancing
Subtle energy centers located near the spine in the body. A chakra is a wheel (literal Sanskrit meaning) of energy. There are 7 major chakras (energy centers); Root, Navel, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, (more...)

Chelation Therapy
A process involving the use of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication, those involving lead, arsenic or mercury, the standard of care (more...)

Chinese Herbology
The Chinese art of combining medicinal herbs. Herbology is traditionally one of the more important modalities utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Each herbal medicine prescription is a cocktail of many herbs tailored to the individual patient. One batch of herbs is typically decocted twice over the course of one hour. The practitioner usually designs a remedy (more..)

Chinese Medicine (Traditional)
(Also known as TCM or T.C.M., Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese; pinyin: Zhongyi xué) is a range of traditional medical practices used in China that developed over several thousand years. These practices include herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage. TCM is a form of Oriental (more...)


Chiropractic For Animals
A complementary and alternative health care profession with the purpose of diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system with the intention of affecting the nervous system and improving health. It is based on the premise that a spinal joint misalignment, (more...)

Chromotherapy ( Color Therapy or Colorology)
An alternative medicine method. It is claimed that a therapist trained in chromotherapy can use color and light to balance energy wherever our bodies are lacking, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. (more...)

Colon Therapy
Colon therapy cleanses and detoxifies the colon through gentle infusions of purified water at a controlled temperature and controlled pressure Colon hydrotherapy is also called colonic irrigation and offers an excellent opportunity to restore and maintain optimum colon health  (more...)

Connective Tissue Massage (CTM)
These techniques are designed to specifically affect the connective tissue of the body. Various schools of CMT may focus on either the superficial connective tissue of the skin and muscles or the deeper connective (more...)

Craniosacral Therapy
The therapy focuses on reducing tension and stress in the meningeal membrane and its fascial connections to enhance the functioning of the Craniosacral system, a fluid circulatory system that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. The Craniosacral therapist subtly (more...)

Crystal Therapy
Each living organism has a "vibrational energy system," which includes chakras, electromagnetic fields around the body known as auras, subtle bodies and meridians. Crystals are used in healing to tune an energy system (more...)


Dentistry — Equine
The importance of regular oral examinations and floating is difficult to overstate. Minor problems, which could evolve into significant dental abnormalities, can be detected and corrected. Additionally, performance problems caused by soft tissue paid from contact with sharp (more...)

Do-In
A system of self-massage promoted most recently by Michio Kushi. More than 5,000 years ago, Chinese Taoist monks observed that it was instinctive for a person to touch or hold an injured or painful body part, a form of self-healing. They developed a system called Tao-Yinn, Tao meaning "the way"  (more...)

Dorn Method
Based on the correction of uneven leg length, which, according to Dorn, can be diagnosed in almost every human. Because of that, the pelvis is said to become twisted, and this can supposedly result in an asymmetrical, crooked or displaced spinal column. Dorn uses a non-manipulative approach to (more...)

Drumming
Many cultures use the drumbeat as a way to enter the trance state, meditate or pray. Drums or percussion instruments generally may be the oldest forms of musical instruments. People often sense that there is a very deep (more...)

Dynamic Spinal Therapy
Developed by Rolf Ott in Rapperswil, Switzerland in the 1980's. The technique works with body posture and energetic (acupuncture) system. It consists of three parts: ear reflexology test, (more...)

Ear Candling (Ear Coning)
Involves placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear canal, while the opposite end is lit. Primarily used for (more...)

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

EFT is a psychotherapeutic tool that intends to relieve many psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, general stress, addictions and phobias. The basic EFT technique involves holding a disturbing memory or emotion in mental focus (more...)

Energy Work
Therapies in which practitioners seek to restore proper circulation and a balance of the energy field in and around the client's body, to relieve stress and promote healing. Treatment may involve physical laying-on (more...)

Environmental Medicine
Chemicals are increasingly present in our homes, cars and even our food. Thousands of new synthetic chemicals come into manufactured consumer products every year with no safety testing or public approval process. Since the beginning of the petrochemical industry more than 80,000 new chemicals have come to circulate in consumer products. Through our lungs, (more...)


Equine Therapy

Equine Therapy is the practice of rehabilitation and injury prevention for the horse through the use of any of the following: electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, therapeutic laser and other photon emitting devices, magnetic field devices, massage, acupressure and other manual (more...)

Equine Sports Massage
Massage or other bodywork can be adapted to horses for the purpose of enhancing performance and preventing injuries. This field has recently been developed and shows signs of gaining rapidly in popularity, as breeders are interested in any techniques that can give them a competitive (more...)

Esogetic Colorpuncture
An advanced healing technique in which gentle, non-invasive vibrations of light are introduced to the body via acupuncture (and other) points on the skin to energize powerful healing impulses in the body. German scientist and naturopath Peter Mandel developed it. He has conducted over (more...)

Ethnobotany
The study of the relationship between plants and people: From"ethno" - study of people and "botany" - study of plants. Ethnobotany is considered a branch of ethnobiology. Ethnobotany studies the complex relationships (more...)

Eutony
Developed by Gerda Alexander of Germany. "Eu" meaning good, exact. "Tonus" meaning tone tension. Based on the theory that there is a constant interaction between muscular tone and physical (more...)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Uses left/right stimulation of the brain, through sight, sound or touch to accelerate the brain's information processing system. Originated (more...)

Eyeology
In the whites of the eye “Eyeology” is a general term encompassing various forms of iridology, such as physical iridology and personality iridology, and sclerology. These are all alternative medicine practices, which claim (more...)


Farrier Science

Most domestic horses are confined, so that their hooves do not have the chance to wear down through the constant use experienced by wild horses. Many domestic horses are ridden on terrain for which their hooves are too sensitive, or may not have hooves strong enough due to their (more...)

Fascial Mobilization
Fascial mobilization allows therapists to locate and address restrictions in the fascial system that are causing asymmetries, postural malalignment, abnormal tensions, and pressures that can lead to pain and dysfunction. (more...)

Feldenkrais
Named after its originator, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, a physicist, the Feldenkrais Method focuses on helping people to expand their range of motion and improve breathing and body alignment. The system uses more than 1000 (more...)


Flower Essence Therapy

Flower essence therapy is a form of vibrational healing, which treats with pure energy to generate changes in the energetic field of the client. Healing with flower essences is an extension of the time-honored tradition of herbal medicine and has been used for over 60 years, successfully returning (more...)

Feng Shui
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. It involves balancing, healing and enhancing energies by integrating people, buildings and landscape to achieve harmony with nature. The goal is to optimize the flow of (more...)


Gem Elixirs

Gem elixirs are similar to flower essences in philosophy, preparation, application and healing effects.   (more...)

Gestalt Therapy
A powerful experiential psychotherapy focusing on contact and awareness in the here and now. Gestalt Therapy provides a system of concepts describing the structure and organization of living in terms of aware relations. In gestalt psychology terms, this means the application of the phenomenological method: looking at 'what is', not at some abstract theoretical explanation. (more...)

Guided Imagery
Visualization techniques that help influence mental, physiological and physical conditions. Guided imagery concentrates on using images or symbols to train the mind to create a definitive physiological or psychological effect. This technique is often used to relieve stress, anxiety and physical (more...)

Hakomi
Hakomi Integrative Somatics - Hakomi Therapy is a body-based psychotherapy developed by Ron Kurtz in the mid-1970s. The International headquarters are in Boulder, Colorado. Hakomi uses body tensions and sensations to help clients probe non-verbal levels where core beliefs direct and influence their experiences. Body-mind awareness and touch are used to explore (more...)

Healing Touch

Healing Touch is an energy-based, hands-on technique done to balance and align the human energy field. The American Holistic Nurses Association approves the technique. A very gentle technique, it is often used with those patients who cannot tolerate more direct physical contact (more...)

Healing Touch for Animals®

Healing Touch for Animals® (HTA) is a bio-field and energy-medicine modality that supports the body to heal itself. HTA techniques are used to help balance and clear an animal's energy system, thus assisting the animal's body, mind, emotions, and spirit to heal.  (more...)

Heliotherapy
The healing use of light.   (more...)

Hellerwork
Developed by Joseph Heller, an early student of Ida Rolf, this is a gentle form of deep-tissue muscle therapy that emphasizes the importance of the body-mind connection. Offshoot of Rolfing (Structural Integration), combines touch and movement retraining to teach stress-free methods for (more...)

Herbal Medicine
Many different types of natural medicine use herbs as part of their practice. In the United States, herbal medicine generally refers to a system of medicine that uses European or North American plants. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses plants native to China or Asia, while Ayurvedic herbal medicine uses plants native to India. Modern herbalists often use plants from (more...)

Holistic Health
A term used by alternative medicine advocates to describe medical care that views physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and balanced. Advocates of the holistic health philosophy typically seek or use a wide variety of alternative practices, the most common of which include acupuncture, ayurveda, Siddha, chiropractic, naturopathy, yoga, (more...)

Holistic Veterinary Medicine

Holistic Veterinary Medicine, also referred to as complementary, integrative or alternative medicine, is a medical approach to animal health and treatment of disease. Alternative medicine is the best-recognized term for treatments or therapeutic systems that lie outside mainstream or conventional (more...)


Homeopathy

A gentle but powerful means of restoring balance to the body, mind and spirit. It is a comprehensive medical system based on the "Law of Similars" or "curing like with like. It relies on a holistic diagnosis, and treatment that arouses the body's innate ability to overcome sickness and restore health by (more...)

Home Remedy
A treatment or cure for a disease or other ailment that employs certain foods or other common household items. Home remedies may or may not have actual medicinal properties that serve to treat or cure the disease or ailment in question; many are merely used as a result of tradition or habit or (more...)

Hydropathy
The treatment of disease by the use of water. Specifically a method of treatment that attempts to cure all diseases by the external or internal use of much water.

Hydrotherapy/ Cryotherapy

Literally means water therapy, using ice, heat, liquid and steam to relieve the symptoms numerous types of infections, acute and chronic pain, circulatory problems, etc. The aim is to stimulate an immune response or to detoxify the body by changing body temperature. Hydrotherapy is any use of water for healing purposes. Hydrotherapy uses the buoyancy, warmth, and (more...)

Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy evolved from an Austrian physician, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815). It is currently used in a variety of medical and dental environments, from helping people to lose weight, to stop smoking, reduce stress, relieve pain, anxiety, phobias, depression, low self-esteem, etc. It can (more...)

Infrared Light Therapy

Infrared Light Therapy is becoming a common treatment for pain relief utilized by Medical Doctors, Veterinarians, Equine Therapists, Chiropractors, Anesthesiologists, Dentists, Massage Therapists, and Physical (more...)


Integrative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines complementary and alternative medicine as "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine". It also defines (more...)

Integrative Manual Therapy: Physical Therapy and Physio Therapy

Our purpose as animal care givers is to appropriately evaluate and suggest the combination of treatments that will support the animal to optimal health. Integrating the skills and knowledge of conventional medicine,   (more...)

Iridology
In iridology, the irises of the eyes are seen as a map through which and observer can determine the health or weakness of the various systems of the body. Areas of the iris correspond to inner organs and functions of the body. Many healthcare professionals use iridology as an additional tool for diagnosis. Iridology is based on the premise that every organ has a (more...)

Jin Shin Do
(Translated as the way of the compassionate spirit) is derived from acupressure. The technique involves applying gentle fingertip pressure to thirty specific points along the body to release, smooth and balance vital `chi' energy. Practitioners meditate and try to transfer chi to clients by using knowledge of where energy flows and patterns meet. According to its practitioners, Jin Shin Do pervades all aspects of our being by affecting general muscle tension, improving circulation, balancing emotions and raising the spiritual state of being.

Jin Shin Jyutsu
An oriental system intended to harmonize the flow of the energy through the body. The system holds that tension, fatigue, or illness can trap energy in the body's twenty-six "safety energy locks". Practitioners use their hands to restore balance and reduce stress. Jin Shin Jyutsu is not a form of massage, however, as it does not involve physical manipulation of the muscles.

Kinesiology
In the purest form, kinesiology is the study of muscles and movement. When used in a clinical setting, it becomes an evaluation and treatment tool for restoring overall health balance to the body. Its beginnings originated in the 1960s as a clinical science from work performed by Dr. George Goodheart. Over time, many branches have developed with different specialties. (more...)

Kneipp Therapy
Kneipp wellness is a holistic system for overall health developed by Sebastian Kneipp, a nineteenth-century Bavarian priest. His approach includes aspects of hydrotherapy, herbalism, and aerobic exercise. Sebastian Kneipp was born to a poor family in Stephansreid, Bavaria, on May 17, 1821. He initially took up his father's trade of weaving, but longed to become a priest. With help from a sympathetic clergyman, he was admitted to high school as a (more...)

Kripalu Bodywork
Based on the principles of Kripalu Yoga, this bodywork method seeks to promote a deep sense of relaxation and to help recipients reconnect with the healing wisdom of their bodies. Along with specific massage strokes, Kripalu bodyworkers use verbal and nonverbal means to guide recipients into a meditative state wherein physical and mental tension may be accessed and released. Kripalu Yoga uses classical hatha yoga postures and breathing techniques to help students enter a state of "meditation in motion."

Light Therapy or Phototherapy
Consists of exposure to specific wavelengths of light using lasers, LEDs, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light, for a prescribed amount of time. It has proven effective in treating Acne (more...)

Lomi Lomi
Lomi Lomi, or "loving hands" is a form of massage that originated in Hawaii. Following the idea that a belief can block energy flow as much as muscle tension can, Lomi Lomi helps release the blockages and, simultaneously, gives the energy new direction. Thus, Lomi Lomi is not just a physical (more...)

Lymphatic Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Technique in Swedish massage. The strokes applied are intended to stimulate the movement of the lymphatic fluids in order to assist the body in cleansing. The most widely taught and generally accepted form of this technique was created by Dr. Emil Vodder. This is a very specific technique, which requires advanced training and precise movements.

Macrobiotics
Modern macrobiotics dates from the late 19th century when a Western-trained Japanese Army doctor, Sagen Ishizuka, became frustrated by allopathic medicine's ineffectiveness treating his own chronic illness. He researched traditional Oriental medicine and developed a therapy he called shoku-yo ("food-cure"). This treatment proved so successful that Ishizuka left the army and set up a private clinic. According to David Briscoe, macrobiotics (more...)

Magnet Therapy
All living beings have a magnetic field that has evolved in synchronization with the natural magnetic field of the earth and are affected by changes in or interference with the earth's field, and also by nearby localized fields. Magnets, recently approved by the AMA for use in pain relief, have (more...)

Magnetized Water Therapy
Water, which makes up over 70% of the body's structure, is the most influential and vital component, which provides the body with a mechanism to maintain and restore homeostasis. However, environmental changes have imposed many new pathologic influences, which have overtaxed the (more...)

Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy (referred to as Therapeutic Massage) is a general term for a range of therapeutic approaches with roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person's muscles and other soft tissue with the intent of improving a person's health and well-being. Stroking and kneading of the body parts is used to relieve pain. Designing an appropriate massage routine requires (more...)

Massotherapy
Therapeutic (muscle) massage.

Meditation
Practices that share the basic characteristic of sitting, resting or walking to perform mental exercises designed to relax the body, quiet the mind and focus concentration.

Mind/Body Medicine
Term covering modalities and therapies that focus on the interrelationship of mind and body; the goal in all forms of mind/body medicine is to address particular disorders and promote overall health by combining both mental and physical approaches. The two-way connection between mind and body is used to influence all the body systems.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion treats and prevents diseases by applying heat to points or certain locations of the human body. The material used is mainly " moxa - wool " in the form of a cone or stick. For centuries, moxibustion and acupuncture have been used in clinical practice, thus they are usually termed together in Chinese. "A disease that may not be treated by acupuncture may be treated by moxibustion." "When a disease fails to respond to medication and acupuncture, moxibustion is suggested." The actual Chinese (more...)

Muscle Enery Technique (MET)
Also known as PNF stretching, utilizes neurophysiological muscle reflexes to improve functional mobility of the joints. MET use active muscle contractions followed by relaxation and subsequent passive stretching to increase range of motion (ROM) of the related joints.

Myopathy
Form of deep massage used to reduce tension and pain located in specific points in muscle layers of the body.

Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is relatively new. Osteopathic physician Dr. Robert Ward of Michigan State University taught the first course entitled "myofascial release" at that school in the 1970s, and references to it first began to appear in the medical literature in the 1980s. However, as a holistic treatment that looks at the body as an integrated whole, its roots go back a long way, to the soft-tissue manipulations and stretches of osteopathy, which was first (more...)

Naprapathy
The Czech word "naprapravit" (to correct) and the Greek word "pathos" (suffering) combine to form the word Naprapathy. The Naprapathic treatment method "corrects suffering" through manual manipulation of inelastic connective tissue which may be irritating the nervous system and causing pain. Dr. Oakley Smith, the first Naprapath, founded the science of (more...)

Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care, emphasizing prevention, treatment and the promotion of optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and modalities, which encourage the self-healing process, the vis medicatrix naturae. (more...)


Neuro-Emotional Therapy (NET)
Heal past trauma, reset belief systems, and promote health neurologically. Improve your business, relationships, athletic performance…all areas of life! Basic Emotions. Fear, Anger, Grief, Resentment, Shame, and many others can negatively influence our health when they don’t resolve normally. When our body fails to “let go” of what was originally a healthy response, it can short-circuit our nervous system, affecting our beliefs, our behaviors (more...)

Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) helps people detect and reprogram unconscious patterns of thought and behavior in order to alter psychological responses and enhance the healing process. The NLP practitioner looks for clues in a person's set speech and behavior patterns and provides the client with mental tools that they can use to alter that behavior and its (more...)

Neuromuscular Therapy
During the last sixty years, Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) has emerged as a significant methodology for assessing, treating and preventing soft tissue injuries and chronic pain. NMT, a series of treatment protocols based on the practitioner's skill, anatomy knowledge and precise palpatory application, has found its home, not only in the treatment rooms of massage therapy, but also in occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, dentistry, (more...)

Nutraceuticals
"Nutraceuticals" is the name given to a range of food supplements which are specifically designed to nutritionally support certain illnesses, improve metabolic processes correct biochemical imbalances and enhance performance (legally) in working animals. They are not manufactured as pharmaceuticals and so are not subject to, or controlled by, the same constraints as drugs. They are naturally occurring substances in many food products and fall in same class as vitamins. Research has shown that in many cases they are an effective treatment in many diseases.

Nutritional Therapy

Alternative practitioners emphasize dietary intervention in the healing process. Many health problems in animals, as in humans, can be traced to poor nutrition. Deficiencies can be caused by stress, environmental contaminants, medications, or other factors even when the quality of food (more...)

Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a clinical history of more than 3000 years. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology and bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Oriental medicine principles. These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively (more...)

Ortho-Bionomy
Ortho-Bionomy, often referred to as the homeopathy of bodywork, is a unique system of painless body therapy developed by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, a British osteopath. Ortho-Bionomy is designed to facilitate pain relief as well as physical and emotional balance. The real work in Ortho-Bionomy is achieved by the body's own self-corrective reflexes. The releases are accompanied by realignment and re-education of muscles, nerves and tissue.  (more...)

Osteopathy
Founded by American doctor Andrew Taylor Sill n the late 19th century, osteopathy has blended all aspects of conventional medicine with the central tenets of the importance of the body’s structure and its predisposition toward health over illness. Osteopathy focuses on correcting structural problems in the musculoskeletal system to improve overall body functioning. (more...)

Ozone Therapy For Animals

Part I - Viral (Rickettsial and Chlamydial) Diseases (VRCDs)
Ozone is very effective in acute and chronic viral diseases as a virucidal agent in reversing positive antibody tests and in improving the general health of the animals. Ozone is the treatment of choice of Equine Infectious Enema (EIA, Swamp fever) and promptly reverses the clinical symptoms and a (more...)

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy®
Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy is a system of corrective treatment to aid in the restoration of damaged muscles and soft tissue. It is intended to be used as one aspect of treatment for a wide range of muscular and soft-tissue conditions. Pfrimmer deep muscle therapy was developed by Theresa Pfrimmer. Once partially paralyzed, she overcame her disability through (more...)

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists assess, treat and prevent disorders in human movement caused by injury and disease. Physiotherapists may perform the following tasks: assess the physical condition of patients to diagnose problems and plan appropriate treatment use a range of techniques to strengthen and stretch muscles and joints to improve patient mobility. They may use hydrotherapy, breathing and relaxation techniques perform spinal and peripheral joint mobilization and manipulation use equipment such as traction,  (more...)

Phytotherapy
Plant therapy takes the form of medicinal herbs added to bath water and also administered as juices, lozenges, teas, or ointments, etc. for use in healing therapies.

Polarity Therapy
Developed by Dr. Randolph Stone, an American osteopath, naturopath, and chiropractor, Polarity Therapy focuses on the proper balance of electromagnetic energy in the body, with the ultimate goal of uniting the body, emotions, mind and soul. Stone taught that four therapeutic techniques were related: bodywork, diet, exercise and self-awareness. In the bodywork portion of this therapy, practitioners place their hands lightly on the body to redirect the client's energy. Cleansing diets and yoga-like exercises (more...)

Pranic Breathing
A Technique to Control the Mind and Gain Razor-Sharp Focus. Activating and using mental abilities requires the mind to have one-pointed focus. This ancient technique has been used for thousands of years to gain control of the mind and achieve razor-sharp focus. The secret lies within the breath. The ancients called it “the breath of life” and considered it to contain “prana” or life-force energy. In the biblical story of Adam, God breathed into his nostrils and he became a living soul. To harness the mind, we must gain (more...)

Prolotherapy
("Proliferative Injection Therapy") involves injecting an irritant solution into the body, generally in the region of tendons or ligaments, for the purpose of strengthening weakened connective tissue and alleviating musculoskeletal pain. Prolotherapy, in combination with chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy, has been reported to alleviate chronic pain. Prolotherapy (more...)

Psychometry
The science of measurement through divination using devices such as the pendulum and dowsing rods. An interdisciplinary science concerned with the interactions of mind, body, matter, environment, energy and consciousness. Many practitioners use psychometry to test for issues, best cures and potential problems.

Pulsed Magnetic Therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields influence cell behavior by inducing electrical changes around and within the cell (more...)

Qi Gong (also Chi Gong)
Also called Chinese Medical Massage and may be the most commonly practiced modality in the world. It is routinely used in Chinese hospitals as a healing modality. The name literally means "skill with life energy" and it (more...)


Radionics/Vibrational Therapy

Therapy based on energy patterns and the disharmony that occurs in these patterns when an animal (or human) is ill. The symptoms are only a small part of the illness and the radionics practitioner’s aim is to get to the cause of the problem by viewing the body as a whole entity taking into consideration the physical and mental. The practitioner, by directing corrective energy (more...)

Reflexology
Manipulation of specific areas of the hands, feet (and ears – See Auricular Therapy) to bring the body into balance (homeostatis). Distinct regions of the hands and feet correspond to particular organs or body systems and the stimulation of the appropriate region is intended to eliminate energy (more...)


Reiki

Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a Japanese word meaning “Universal Life Energy.” Rei refers to the Universal Soul or Spirit; Ki refers to the vital energy. Reiki is a noninvasive therapy, a natural source of subtle-touch healing given through unconditional love and by consciously tapping into the (more...)

Relaxation Response
State of psychological and physiological rest characterized by lowered oxygen consumption and reduced heart rate. This deep relaxation can relieve stress and its many side effects and symptoms. (more...)

Rolfing
Structural Integration is based on the belief that proper alignment of the various parts of the body is necessary for physical and emotional health. The method uses deep massage and movement exercises to loosen or release adhesions in the fascia – the connection tissue covering the muscles (more...)

Rosen Method Bodywork
Developed by Marion Rosen, this work emphasizes simplicity. The practitioner contacts contracted muscles and matches the muscle tension. The practitioner follows changes in the client's breathing as a means (more...)

Rubenfeld Synergy Method®
Rubenfeld Synergy Method® (RSM) Practitioners use a light touch to release physical tensions while talking to clients and verbally encouraging them to explore the emotional and psychological roots of these tensions. This method integrates elements of Alexander, Feldenkrais, Gestalt and (more...)


Shamanism

Shamanism is mankind's most ancient healing art. In Shamanic healing for animals, the healer enters hidden worlds (called “non-ordinary reality”) and requests the help of compassionate spirit allies to learn what is wrong with an animal, get information that will help the caregivers, and ultimately (more...)

Shen® Therapy
SHEN® is a hands-on technique for energy work or touch therapy. Practitioners seek to enable a normal energy flow through the body by using light hand placements. Practitioners do a non-manipulative laying on of hands to assist the biofield (or aura) in returning to its normal flow through (more...)

Shiatsu
A Japanese technique similar to Acupressure, using finger and thumb pressure on precise body points to encourage the proper flow of Chi, the vital force or energy, to circulate through the body. A Japanese bodywork technique, Shiatsu uses pressure to stimulate points on acupuncture meridians. Practice of shiatsu is usually accompanied by study of Chinese five-element theory and meridians, and it involves a way of looking at the body that is completely different from the "muscles, bones and blood" view of Western (more...)

Soft Tissue Release
Soft Tissue Release (STR) is a powerful sports injury treatment technique developed by Stuart Taws while working with the British Athletic Team. STR deals directly with the reasons for soft tissue dysfunctions and subsequent referred pain and nerve entrapment. In acute situations, STR affects the insidious way scar tissue is formed and in chronic conditions STR breaks up the fibrotic and adhered mass of scar tissue to quickly allow the muscle to return to its natural resting length.

Soma Neuromuscular Integration
This bodywork method seeks to improve posture, joint function, and body alignment through deep manipulation of the muscular and connective tissue. The ten-session process, which incorporates movement training and other adjuncts, also seeks to promote greater access to the functioning of each hemisphere of the brain.

Sound Healing and Harmonic Medicine

Sound healing uses toning, chanting, or vibrations from the voice or instruments to stimulate the body's own ability to heal itself. Sound healing and music boost are known to boost the immune system, regulate respiration, lower blood pressure, alleviate pain, reduce stress, and promote endurance. Practitioners work with the belief that each cell in the body is a sound resonator and has its own pulse, pattern and cycle. Recently new (more...)

Spiritual Healing

This form of healing, which is not to be confused with spiritualism, uses a holistic approach, helping a person to return to the harmony of body, mind and spirit. The channeling of energies by the healer re-energizes the patient to deal with illness or injury. Healing often helps with the speed and extent of recovery from serious illness and major surgery and from the (more...)

Sports Massage
Sports massage is one of the fastest growing forms of treatment for athletes, HUMAN AND ANIMAL, for the prevention of injuries, enhancing performance and in rehabilitation. The sports massage applies a range of techniques, which help to restore function to muscles and joints before, during and  (more...)

Structural Integration (See Rolfing )
Structural Integration is a scientifically validated body therapy developed in the 1930's by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Unlike massage, Structural Integration is bodywork that focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer called fascia (also known as connective tissue). Structural Integration is (more...)

Thai Bodywork
Thai bodywork, also called Thai Yoga massage, has a unique character that is both relaxing and invigorating. It is a combination of passive Yoga stretching, Acupressure, Reflexology, energy work, and Meditation. The Thai practitioner uses his/her thumb, palm, elbow, knee, and foot pressure to create a very unique healing art, which the Thais often refer to as energy medicine. Thai bodywork is more than passive yoga. Its profound effect  (more...)


Tai Chi
One style of qigong, is a martial art, which involves meditation, and slow, flowing well-guided movements that follow set forms. It is intended to affect the flow of Chi (energy) and bring about physical self-awareness (more...)

Therapeutic Touch
The technique was devised a few decades ago as a contemporary version of various ancient practices in which a healer consciously directs and focuses energy to the receiver to balance and unblock negative energy flow. The practitioner’s hands move in slow rhythmic, motions two to six inches above the animal (or human) in an effort to detect blockages in the body’s energy field that may cause or contribute to illness. Delores Krieger, Ph.D., (more...)

Tibetan Medicine
Tibetan medicine defines three main physiological systems, which control all the body's processes (more...)

Touch For Health
Developed by chiropractor John Thie, Touch for Health combines methods and techniques, which include acupuncture principles, acupressure, muscle testing, massage, and dietary guidelines. The method of treatment requires a second person that performs muscle testing. This determines which muscles (more...)

Trager Psychophysical Integration
Trager Approach - Dr. Milton Trager, M.D., developed his own system of bodywork, which emphasizes gentle rocking and rolling of the client to encourage release and loosening and softening. Trager® or Tragerwork seeks to unblock neuromuscular patterns that inhibit the body's natural, free-flowing motion. Clients begin by lying on a table while the practitioner uses a (more...)

Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point massage utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. A trigger point is an area within soft tissue structures that is characterized by local tenderness and/or referred phenomena, which can include pain, tingling, numbness burning, or itching. An active trigger point can cause immediate pain or prevent a muscle from fully lengthening. A latent trigger point is (more...)


TTeam and TTouch

Linda Tellington-Jones developed TTEAM - the Tellington TTouch Equine Awareness Method - and Tellington TTouch to help you create a more wonderful partnership with your horse, dog, cat, bird, bunny or  (more...)

Tui Na
Tui Na is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tui Na seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body to heal itself naturally. Tui Na is now being  (more...)

Vibrational Healing/Vibrational Medicine
Practitioners of Vibrational Healing (also called Vibrational Medicine) use a variety of modalities that seek to promote healing by balancing the client's energy field. Such modalities may include homeopathy, flower essences, acupuncture, and energy-based bodywork practices such as Therapeutic Touch and Polarity Therapy.

Watsu (Aquatic Shiatsu)
Watsu (from "water" and "shiatsu") began when Harold Dull started floating people, applying the moves and stretches of the zen shiatsu he had studied in Japan. Watsu, aquatic or water Shiatsu, began at Harbin Hot Springs where Harold Dull brought his knowledge of Zen Shiatsu that he had studied in Japan into a warm pool. Zen Shiatsu incorporates stretches which release (more...)

White Light Healing

The universal vibrations and the movement of planets, the movement of the sun in its sojourn through its orbit, through its orbit around Sirius in the Orion constellation, and the variation that it meets in its movement, determine the Earth ages of approximately 2200 years each. It is this movement into these new vibrations that trigger certain frequency reactions among the (more...)

Yoga
As practiced and taught in the West, yoga is most typically seen as a gentle way to strengthen and tone the body as well as calm the mind and spirit. However, yoga as traditionally practiced in India and other parts of Asia is a complicated system of exercise, diet and meditation tied to specific philosophy or religion. Schools in the United States range from those that emphasize yoga as a form of exercise to those who seek to connect students with (more...)

Zero Balancing
Developed by Fritz Smith, MD, osteopath, Rolfer and acupuncturist, Zero Balancing integrates a Western anatomical view of structure with Eastern concepts of body energy. Practitioners use hands-on touch to balance the body's internal energy currents with such structural elements a (more...)

 


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