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Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine takes a holistic approach to treating animal disorders, combining proven techniques of both Western and Eastern medicine to optimize your pet’s health.

The integrative medicine techniques we use are gentle, minimally invasive, and emphasize patient well-being and stress reduction. Based on a thorough evaluation of your pet’s daily environment, medical condition and relationship with you, our veterinarians will determine the best combination of both conventional and alternative therapies for your pet.

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A whole body approach to care

The Integrative Medicine therapies we offer

  • Acupuncture (including dry needle and electroacupuncture)
  • Chinese herbology
  • Class IV laser therapy to help reduce pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance tissue healing
  • Food Therapy
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Nutritional Consults
  • Tui-na Massage
  • Veterinary Medical Manipulation (chiropractic)

Integrative Medicine services:

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicinal technique used to stimulate the immune system and local nerves, relax muscles, adjust blood and lymph flow, and release endorphins. Many diseases and injuries can benefit from acupuncture including:

  • Orthopedic diseases (osteoarthritis)
  • Neurological conditions (seizures, intervertebral disc problems)
  • Gastrointestinal diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation)
  • Respiratory problems (asthma and bronchitis)
  • Post-surgical pain
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Limping
  • Allergies
  • Itching and scratching
  • Behavioral disorders/problems
  • Heart failure and heart murmurs
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer
  • and more!

Patients undergoing chemotherapy can also be treated with acupuncture to support the immune system and decrease adverse side effects. At Long Island Veterinary Specialists, our experienced team is well-trained in providing acupuncture for pets, extending this centuries-old, proven holistic medicinal technique to the animal community.

To learn more about acupuncture at LIVS, click here to view a video of an acupuncture session with Dr. Selmer and one of our feline patients, Luigi.

Herbal Therapy – Chinese herbal therapies pro-vide a natural way to treat the root cause of many diseases and not just the symptoms alone. They have been used for over 3,000 years to maintain health in humans and animals.

Herbal formulas can be used to relieve pain, help improve and restore organ function, as well as strengthen and support the immune system. 

Laser Therapy (also known as Cold Laser) uses the a low-wattage Class IV laser to stimulate cells and encourage the natural healing process. This therapy stimulates the body to heal on its own, a non-invasive approach to pain management and overall wellness in pets that experience chronic or inflammatory illness, who are suffering from trauma or post-operative discomfort, or who are experiencing age-related symptoms.

Integrative Medicine team at LIVS can prepare and offer customized nutrition plans to help pet owners provide support their pet’s dietary needs. The right diet is an important part of your pet’s health regimen. A nutritional consult will allow our team to help you make the right choice for your pet and help tailor a nutritional plan specific for your pet’s age, overall health, caloric requirements, and lifestyle.

Tui-na Massage is a traditional Chinese veterinary treatment method related to massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation. “Tui” means to push and “na” means to lift or squeeze. Tui-na is very effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions – such as arthritis, orthopedic conditions, or helping a pet recover from surgery.

Similar to a chiropractic adjustment in humans, veterinary medical manipulation (VMM) involves the gentle manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints in animals.

Restrictions to healthy joint movement result in abnormal mobility, muscle tension, pain, weakened muscles, and malnourished cartilage. Impingement of the spinal nerves specifically can cause lameness, organ dysfunction, and reduced immune response.

Learn more about integrative medicine at LIVS from our Integrative Medicine Veterinarian, Dr. Michel Selmer:

Integrative Medicine Team

micheal selmer

Michel Selmer, DVM, MS

CTCVMP (Integrative Medicine)
Integrative Medicine