Many eastern cultures believe that all living creatures possess an inner energy and that imbalance in that energy flow results in illness and disease. From a western perspective, this sounds like hocus pocus, westerners are taught to appreciate only that which can be touched and seen. However, if one considers the electrocardiogram, a diagnostic device used in conventional medicine, this machine directly measures the electrical impulses of the heart, proof that living beings possess a measurable form of inner energy. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbs rebalance the body's energy so that healing can occur.

Village Veterinary, Inc in York, Maine is unique in providing Chinese medical diagnosis, acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, Bach Flower remedies, VOM, and homotoxicology, in addition to traditional western diagnosis (in house laboratory, radiology, ultrasound), medical therapy, and surgery.  Dr. Julie Matthews is board certified in veterinary acupuncture (CVA), having successfully completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) course in 1995.  Since then Dr. Matthews has helped hundreds of animals recover from disease and maintain quality of life. 

 

While working towards certification in Chinese herbal medicine, Dr. Matthews consults with Dr. Ching Ling Kung, a licensed Chinese Medical Doctor (CMD) and master herbologist, who was trained in China and has practiced in Boston, MA, for over 30 years. Once Dr. Matthews arrives at a Chinese medical diagnosis, Dr. Kung prescribes an herbal formula tailored to the individual pet. These herbs come direct from China to Dr. Kung, are in powdered form, and can be mixed in the food or placed in capsules for ease of administration. In addition to these special formulas created by Dr. Kung, Dr. Matthews also prescribes patent Chinese herbs, which come in tablet form. 

Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbs) can be used alone, or can be combined with more conventional therapies as desired. Unlike conventional treatments such as antibiotics, steroids, hormones, NSAIDS, and other drugs, which treat the symptom or deficiency, Chinese medicine addresses the constitutional weakness which has caused the disease or symptom. This results in eventual cure of the condition and an overall healthier pet, but takes longer to effect, often weeks to months. Side effects are minimal, and most animals enjoy acupuncture and take herbs well. 

Dr. Matthews is currently pursuing certification in herbology, in addition to studying pulse diagnosis, the most powerful diagnostic tool in Chinese medicine.