The word complementary means to fill up. How simple and appropriate.
Since holistic medicine is the practice of treating the body as a whole, there is no sense of competition in treatment. The biggest problem comes from those who use these therapies without the proper information or training. Even for those who have chosen to treat their animals naturally, natural is not always safe. The internet has been a blessing and a curse. The information on a condition and treatment for an animal can look promising on the web, but could also cause precious time if a serious condition was overlooked. There are herbs that have side effects, vitamins that cannot be taken at the same time, contraindications for bodywork and serious consequences for prolonging a condition with the wrong treatment. This is why it is crucial to be well-educated and to use only professionals who are knowledgeable and compassionate.
All healing therapies should have a place in the welfare of animals. "Equal but different" gives us more choices and allows for more diverse flexibility and freedom. Complementary Therapy draws from a great source of diversity and change, ever evolving as our environment and lifestyles change and we are not limited, nor our boundaries set . The very differences in Complementary and Conventional Medicine are often what give them their strength in unity. Complementary therapies can be used with Conventional Medicine and all other natural modalities. These should all be done with great respect.
Change, acceptance and evolution to constantly be aware of our animals well being means taking responsibility for their health. So often we speak of health in terms of illness and injury. But, instead let us focus and keep our attention on life in balance and harmony. What is useful in life changes. And what is useful in each circumstance is different and for each animal is different. A parable by the Buddha expresses it well:
Imagine coming to the edge of a river, and you need to get to the other side. You take grasses, sticks and branches, lash them together to make a raft, and paddle across the river. When you get to the other side, you're so grateful to the raft that you carry it with you for the rest of your life. This would make no more sense than to use the same things that no longer work. As circumstances, change (and, they always do) what is useful also changes. Image taking a cup of salt and pouring it into a glass of water. It would be very hard to drink. But if you took that same cup of salt and poured it into a clear mountain lake and took a mouthful, it would be so sweet. The problem isn't the salt, it's the size of the container.
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