Chinese Herbal Therapy
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has utilized herbal therapies for thousands of years. Laboratory and clinical research into the physiologic effects of herbal medicine is increasing exponentially, and revealing the ways in which these herbs cope with cancer, infection, and other disease processes. This research has been largely driven by Western medicine's desire for pharmaceuticals that resist bacterial and viral infection, resolve inflammation, counter tissue degeneration, and promote tumor cell death. Unfortunately, these drugs have not been invented yet in the Western world. Many practitioners that are wishing to surpass the limitations of pharmaceuticals are now reaching for these ancient medicines.
Dr. Byrd has taken extensive continuing education courses on the use of Chinese herbals, and believes in their ability to treat imbalances and disease within the body.
Research on Chinese herbal therapy:
Chinese herbs have the potential to help improve COVID-19 symptoms
Chinese herbal medicine has a positive effect on growth, immunity, and disease resistance in fish.
Chinese herbs used to treat insomnia in people.
Chinese herbals effective in treating sepsis (systemic bacterial infection).
Chinese herbal therapy improves survival in human patients with advanced breast cancer.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are composed of numerous chemical compounds, numbering from a few dozen to several hundred in a single species. These compounds include phenols, which are cleansing and detoxifying, esters that are emotionally releasing, sesquiterpenes that improve cellular oxygenation, monoterpenes, ketones, oxides, and many more.
Essential oil compounds are not just molecules of matter, but rather energetic waveforms. This is better explained through quantum physics, which deals with the behavior of things with dimensions smaller than an atom. This demonstrates how human intent and thoughts can influence the action of the oils themselves. In the 1950s, Franklin Loehr, an American scientist, explored the effect of human thought on water molecules. Loehr found that human thought alters the bonding angles between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms, thus changing the physical properties of the water. This was further demonstrated by its effect on the growth of the plants that were watered with it. Another interesting, more recent experiment, by the Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto, showed that human thought and emotion affects the crystalline structure of frozen water. While modern science struggles to prove and accept the theory that our thoughts have power, new evidence is emerging that is validating the claims that holistic practitioners have believed all along - what we think matters.
While Dr. Byrd believes in the power of essential oils, she also aims to educate on the importance of using therapeutic grade oils, especially in dogs and cats, who are more sensitive to the contaminants often left behind in store-bought oils. While these oils are inexpensive, they are often synthetic, adulterated, or unethically sourced. She uses Young Living oils, which are free from contaminants, are extensively tested, and sourced in a sustainable manner than aims to benefit local communities. She is able to provide recommendations on a protocol specific for your pet, as well as guide you on intentions for you to use with your pet at home that will help to promote healing.
Research on essential oils:
Antibacterial properties of essential oils
Tea tree oil used to treat oral Candidiasis in mice.
Rosemary oil for the treatment of GI inflammation
Essential oils have positive effect on chronic inflammation
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique used to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and balance the body. Reiki was discovered by Mikao Usui, who was born to a Buddhist family in 1865. During his years of training in the monastery, Dr. Usui traveled to a cave on Mount Kurama, where he spent 21 days fasting, meditating, and praying. During his meditations, he saw ancient Sanskrit symbols that channeled universal life force energy. Excited to tell others, he ran down the mountain, then tripped and injured himself. He placed his hands over his injured leg, at which time a miraculous event occurred - the life force energy that were within the symbols flowed through his hands, taking away the pain in his leg!
While this may seem difficult to believe, clinical research is growing, and many hospitals and clinics across America utilize Reiki practitioners to speed healing and improve patient wellbeing. Dr. Byrd is a Reiki III practitioner, and utilizes Reiki to calm animals, speed healing, and reduce pain. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, in that love and compassion are an important part of its practice, it is not a religion and members of many religious groups including Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and those not identifying with a major religion use Reiki and find it compatible with their beliefs.
Research on Reiki:
Effects on relaxation and pain of patients receiving Reiki in a hospital-setting.
Manual Therapy
Dr. Byrd uses a combination of Tui-na, a Chinese medical massage technique, and manual therapy to relieve muscle tension and trigger points, promote blood flow, and improve joint mobility. She can also show you techniques that you can do at home to improve mobility, decrease pain, and speed healing.
Pain oftentimes results in decreased use of the affected limb, which can lead to detrimental changes within the joint capsule. Whether the pain is acute or chronic, movement is one of the most important medicines we can give to prevent further damage on the musculoskeletal system.
Research on manual therapy:
The use of manual therapy in humans with knee osteoarthritis
Supplements and Nutraceuticals
Dr. Byrd has taken many continuing education courses to learn about holistic methods that can help pets heal, usually with less potential side effects than pharmaceuticals. There are nutraceuticals available that help manage joint disease, skin issues, liver and kidney disease, and even help fight cancer. Dr. Byrd can create a plan tailored to your pet, with recommendations of products she trusts.
Research on supplements/nutraceuticals:
Efficacy of type II-collagen, glucosamine, and chondroitin in arthritic dogs