Alternative Therapies – Part 2

INAG 120 – Equine Health Management

October 17, 2011

What is “Alternative?”

Therapy other than conventional medicine surgery and dentistry

AcupunctureChiropracticHomeopathyHerbology and

Naturopathy

Physical TherapyMassageReiki/Therapeutic Touch

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Chiropractic

http://www.animalchiropractic.org/ -- American Veterinary Chiropractic Association

Chiropractic

Chiropractic principles:Relationship between structure and function

of the vertebral column and how that affects health

Manual therapy uses controlled forces applied to specific joints or anatomic areas to cause a healing response

Chiropractic…

Principle: joint malfunction affects the normal neurological balance found in healthy animals“bone out of place” is an outdated theory!Restore normal joint motionStimulate nerve reflexesReduce pain and abnormally increased

muscle tone

Chiropractic…

Successful manipulation requires proper technique (correct direction, force, amplitude and speed) and increased psychomotor skills

Successful adjustment = a “release” or movement of restricted joint is felt and may also be heard

Chiropractic Applications

Indications for equine chiropractic evaluations: Back or neck pain Localized or regional

joint stiffness Poor performance Altered gait not

associated with obvious lameness

Chiropractic Exam

Equine chiropractors look for:Localized muscle or skeletal painAbnormally increased muscled toneRestricted joint motion

Chiropractic therapy can be helpful in muscle or skeletal conditions that are chronic or recurring, not easily diagnosed or not responding to traditional veterinary diagnostics

Chiropractic…

Not a “cure-all” for all back problems Not suggested to treat:

Fractures Infections Cancer Metabolic disorders Nonmechanical joint problems

Serious diseases should be ruled out and treated by conventional vet medicine first

Can help restore muscle and skeletal function

Homeopathy

Employs medicines from natural substances diluted to minute amounts to treat disease Similar to vaccination

Basic principles: Knowledge of disease Knowledge of medicines Ability to judge correct amount, strength, frequency Obstacles to recovery Possible outcomes of treatment

Homeopathy – Basic Tools

Materia medicas – books reporting symptoms and clinical experience

Repertoires – list of symptoms with remedies known to impact them

Remedies – purchased from reliable pharmacies

Clinical judgment – vet trainingStudy, courses, reading and learning

Herbology-Naturopathy

Medical disciplines which employ natural substances to treat diseases

MYTH: Herbs are natural so they are good for animals and they are safe.

FACT: Many plants will kill an animal, so it is extremely important to know what the effects of some herbs will have on a horse before you give it to them!!!

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Physical Exam:Basic physical exam PLUS two special

regionsTongue Diagnosis

Shape and thickness, color of tip and body, color of the coating

Pulse DiagnosisThree fingers in the jugular groove – rate,

depth, strength, width and quality

Chinese Herbal Medicine

In use for 4,000 years! Include 5,000 substances Proper diagnosis is essential Formula consisting of 3-12 herbs used

for treatment (4 categories)1. Emperor (Monarch)2. Minister (Subject)3. Assistant (Adjuvant)4. Servant (Messenger)

Physical Therapy

Use of non-invasive techniques for rehabilitation of injuriesMassage • HydrotherapyStretching • HeatLaser • ColdElectrical StimulationMagneticUltrasoundRehabilitation exercises

Massage Therapy

Technique in which practitioner uses hands and body to manipulate soft tissue Positively affecting health and well-beingShould be practiced by a graduate of an

accredited massage school with specialized training in equine anatomy, physiology, massage and veterinary ethics and under the referral of a veterinarian!

Massage Therapy

Palpation Lymphatic drainage Muscle massage and mobilization Deep transversal frictions Stretching – fasciatherapy Mobilization

To combat physiological and biochemical effects of immobilization on muscle tissue

Reiki/Therapeutic Touch Use of touch to channel energy,

remove blockages and direct healing

Some research supports its use in wound healing

Used for: Reduce stress Recover from trauma Recover from injuries Resolve behavior problems Improve well-being and balance Treat depression and lethargy Increase flexibility

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=065Q2F7mBLs&feature=related

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

HBOT: high-dose oxygen inhalation therapy100% oxygen deliveredHorse is in a pressurized chamber

Pressurization causes oxygen to be physically dissolved in the blood (as opposed to only being carried to cells via red blood cells/hemoglobin)

HBOT

© Bill Ingram, Palm Beach Post

HBOT

Primary therapeutic effect = increase tissue oxygen levels

Other benefits:Decreases edemaModifying inflammatory effects (cytokines)Stimulation of granulation tissue formationAccelerating collagen depositionIncreasing breakdown of pro-oxidants

HBOT

Why use it? Damaged tissue may not heal properly or

respond to antibiotics if oxygen levels are not high enough HBOT may normalize activity of certain antibiotics

May affect immune system response, enhance oxygen-radical scavengers, thereby decreasing ischemia-reperfusion injury

No damaging side effects!

HBOT

What are the current uses in horses and does it work?

Badly infected wounds Shown to be effective in enhancing wound healing in

both acute and chronic cases and treatment of infections including osteomyelitis

Improve pulmonary function in racehorses No research to support this use

Closed head injuries Ileus

HBOT Exceptional blood-loss anemias (neonatal

isoerythrolysis) Fungal disease (fungal pneumonia) Thermal burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke

inhalation CNS edema/perinatal asphyxia Peripheral neuropathies Sports injuries (exertional rhabdomyolysis) Fracture non-union Cellulitis, compartment syndrome Ischemic injuries (laminitis)

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

Application of high intensity acoustic radiation to a very small area

Popular though rather new treatment for musculoskeletal conditions

Studies conflictHas been shown to significantly reduce

lamenessRecent Swiss study no analgesic effect

ESWT

Current treatment applications in horses:Inflammation of suspensory ligament and

other soft tissue injuriesOsteoarthritis

Horses w/ arthritis in the knee had significant improvement in lameness scores as compared to horses with no treatment or horses injected with PSGAGs

New use: Wound managementTreated wounds had significantly decreased time

to healing compared to untreated wounds