WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE FOR DOGS?
Acupressure, like acupuncture and thermopointure, is based on traditional Chinese medicine. There is evidence that a special type of conical-shaped stones have already been used for therapeutic purposes as early as about 10 000 years ago. 10,000 years ago. Veterinary acupressure/acupuncture has already started to be used as early as 2000-3000 BC.
According to "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine", a source that was used as the foundation for the emergence of ancient Chinese medicine:
"Health and well-being can only be achieved by remaining well-established in their spirit, supporting the free flow of chi (vital energy), maintaining a harmonious balance between yin and yang, adapting to seasonal changes in the year […]. This is a recipe for health and a long life."
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on thousands of years of clinical observation.
The body, be it a dog, a cat or a human, is seen as an energetic whole that stays in balance with itself and with the environment. Everything is interconnected. For the body to maintain a harmonious flow of chi and blood, all internal and external factors must be balanced. The emotional state of the animal will have the same effect on his health as the condition and strength of his heart or all limbs.
In acupressure, the impact of many factors that can affect the health of the animal is considered and analyzed. For example, using the technique "The Four Examinations" (I have no idea how to transla
te it) the person performing the acupressure collects a lot of information about physical, emotional, diet, training, rest, frequency of being exposed to the sun, rain, wind, etc.
YIN-YANG THEORY
The first and most basic concept that makes up Chinese Medicine is the Yin and Yang theory. This theory gives the practitioner a method of systematically classifying information.
"Yin and Yang are the laws of heaven and earth, the structure of everything, the parents of change, the source and the beginning of life and death."
Yin and Yang are the two main aspects of chi- life energy. They are their opposites, and at the same time they are interdepending. One cannot exist without the other. They are a positive and negative spark that form chi, which, on the other hand, flows through all living organisms.
In Chinese medicine, the difference between life and death is that in the event of death, chi ceases to exist. If yin and yang are separated from each other, there is no life.
If the dog is injured and bleeding heavily, then the blood (yin) and the heat and blood movement (yang) are separated from each other. That's when the dog is threatened with death.
Since chi is the main component of life, the Chinese have discovered that there are certain paths that chi flows. They are known as meridians or energy channels.
Written by: Zuzanna Rybarczyk
Photo credit: Lisa Fotios