What is Integrative Medicine?
Integrative Medicine is a medical approach that utilizes both conventional Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), understanding that each approach can compliment the other. Using TCVM theory, disease is considered imbalance within the body. The body is thought to be an interconnected system, with each body system influencing the others. When there is imbalance, there is disharmony between the systems, resulting in disease. Diagnoses and treatment plans are developed when a pattern, or multiple patterns, of disharmony is identified. TCVM is considered a more holistic approach and includes Acupuncture, Herbal Medications, Tui-na, and Diet Therapy. By utilizing a variety of different treatment modalities, from both conventional Western medicine and TCVM, we are able to provide care to your pet and take into consideration his or her physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
An Integrative Medicine appointment involves detailed history information about your pet, as well as about you and your goals for seeking treatment. Both a Western examination and a TCVM examination are performed. The information from the history and the findings from the examinations are utilized to develop a treatment plan tailored to your pet and your goals. These appointments may include one or many of the following treatment modalities: Acupuncture, Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy, Chinese Herbal medication recommendations, Western medication recommendations, Lacer therapy, Reiki and Tui-na.
Common Medical Conditions that can be Managed with an Integrative Approach
Osteoarthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease
Intervertebral Disk Disease
Kidney Disease
Liver and Gall Bladder Disease
Immune-Mediated Disease
Cancer
Post-surgical Recovery
Who Am I?
Kellie Lindquist, DVM, CVA, CTPEP, CVSMT, FCoAC
My name is Dr. Kellie Lindquist and I am the founder of Aurora Integrated Veterinary Services. Animals have always been an integral part of my life, and it was no surprise to anyone who knew me that I chose a path in the field of Veterinary Medicine. I graduated from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. After graduation, I practiced on both large and small animals on the beautiful Oregon coast before moving to Alaska in 2012, where I have been practicing small animal medicine ever since.
Over the years, I started to become frustrated when I would run out of options for my senior patients. We do a great job of providing these creatures preventative, wellness care through their adolescence and adulthood, but as they age, it becomes more and more difficult to manage their pain, co-morbidities, and overall care. This prompted me to start to look at other treatment modalities that would benefit my patients. I became further interested in Integrative Medicine after my own struggles with an auto-immune disorder that was uncontrolled with traditional western medications. After seeking Eastern modalities for my own health, my eyes were opened to what these treatment modalities could do for my patients.
My approach is to combine both the Western and Eastern treatment options in order to provide your animal with a medical treatment plan that encompasses all the needs of you and your animal; physical, emotional and spiritual. I am focused on providing care to help supplement treatment of existing conditions, palliative and hospice care, and spiritually based home end-of-life euthanasia services.
