~Our practice philosophy~
While you will hear the term “holistic” used often, there is a misconception about what it actually means. Holistic literally means “all, whole, or entire.” In medical terms, holistic health has come to mean treating a patient as a whole entity, rather than as a sum of their parts. It upholds that all aspects of a patient’s needs – psychological, physical, and social – should be taken into account when addressing a health concern. A true holistic practitioner assesses their patient from all of these angles, and chooses treatment methods that best help them to achieve a state of health. Some of these treatments may be traditional, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. Others may involve the use of herbs, food therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, or behavioral therapy.
Here at the Wellness Center, we do not limit our treatments to either strictly traditional or strictly “alternative” methods. Dr. Hoffer prefers to use an integrated approach, melding Eastern and Western medicine to arrive at a truly holistic treatment plan for her patients. Your pet has access to a full range of health care options, therefore optimizing our ability to effectively treat their health concerns.
It is important to understand that while the body naturally tends towards balance and health, many health conditions, especially in older animals, are the result of many years of gradual decline. While we have become accustomed to a “quick fix” from modern-day medicines, realigning the body’s balance naturally takes time. Just like you cannot expect to gain 25 pounds over 5 years, and lose it all (safely) in 2 months, most holistic approaches take more than just a few days before results are noticed. However, unlike the “band-aid” effect that many modern medicines provide, treating the root of the problem allows for a complete and lasting cure. When the underlying imbalance is resolved and the body is allowed to heal itself, patients feel better and are subjected to minimal risk of side effects from prescription medications. Believe it or not, the body and mind possess an inherent power to heal, and naturally tend towards health rather than disease. By knowing when to help, and when to get out of the way and allow the body to do what it does best, we can help our pets live long, happy, healthy lives!