Letters and Articles
What is Natural Health for Alpacas?
Let’s first talk about what is Complementary and Alternative Medicine, known as
Conventional Medicine is a whole medical system practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctors) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, example nutritional supplements, essential oils, essences, herbal remedies and body based practices.
Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine.
Integrative Medicine combines treatments from conventional medicine and Complementary and Alternative Medicine for which there is evidence of safety and effectiveness. THIS IS NATURAL HEALTH!
What is Whole Medical Systems?
Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier in other non-Western cultures than the conventional medical approach used in the
Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include:
Homeopathic Medicine – This system originated in
Naturopathic Medicine – This system originated in Europe and aims to support the body’s ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation.
Chinese Medicine – A system that originated in
Ayurveda Medicine – A system that originated in
What is a Body-Based Practice?
These are based on manipulation of the body.
Example of manipulative and body based practices:
Chiropractic is the manipulation of a controlled force to a joint, moving it beyond the normal range of motion in an effort to aid in restoring health. Manipulation may be performed as part of other therapies or whole medical systems.
Osteopathic is the manipulation practiced by osteopathic physician and is combined with physical therapy and massage by pressing, rubbing, and moving muscles and other soft tissues of the body primarily by using the hands and fingers. The aim is to increase the blood flow and oxygen to the massaged area.
Acupressure is a an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body’s life force energy to aid healing.
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What is Energy Medicine?
This is based on a hand on approach that involves changes in the energy field or subtle liquid extracts taken orally that change E-motions or energy in motion in the energy field.
Biofield or hands on therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through, these fields.
Examples include:
Reiki, a therapy in which practitioners seek to transmit a universal energy to a person, either from a distance or by placing their hands on or near that person. The intent is to heal the spirit and thus the body.
Therapeutic Touch, a therapy in which practitioners pass their hands over another person’s body with the intent to use their own perceived healing energy to identify energy imbalances and promote health.
Essences founded by Dr. Edward Bach, a medical physician is the electromagnetic pattern of the plant, tree, or herb, made into a subtle liquid extract and taken orally or sprayed on the body. These are used to alleviate a specific emotional state in the energy field.
So what does this have to do with alpacas?
Could we consider just as we do our selves an integrative approach to caring for our alpacas.
I have chosen to do so by using my farm as a research farm to incorporate herbal remedies from the Amazon Rainforest, as well as western herbs, Chinese, and auyveda herbs natural herbal dewormers, and essences for emotional health into my farm protocol. I consider this to be preventive health care for my alpacas. My Vetenarian has agreed. I have been able to maintain health, and when an illness has occurred and the Vet has set his protocol we have had success in treating our animals with a very small amount of recoup time.
Caring for my alpacas has become so easy because the protocol I have set is an easy as feeding them everyday and good herd health management is less time consuming.
Each and everyday they are given an herbal supplement, a natural herbal dewormer in their grain and an essence in their water bucket. Fecals are checked monthly, as well as weight and a good body look over.
Feel free to contact me with questions regarding NATURAL HEALTH FOR YOU ALPACA!
Alicia Rocco, NHP (Natural Health Pracititioner)
http://www.alpacaspringvalley.com
330-868-4988