In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all diseases are caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang, the two essential and complementary life forces.
Each day there is a cyclical movement of Yang between the inside of the body (think of internal organs) and the outside of the body(think of joints and skin). This circadian movement of Yang in and out also occurs through the seasons. In Summer to coincidewith more energy needed there is more Yang energy in the outside of the of the body, and in Winter, there is more conserving and internalisation of Yang. Spring and Autumn mark the transition times.
In Western terms, it can be helpful to think of Yang as similar to blood circulation and indeed in Chinese medicine, Yang is the main mover of blood/circulation. This then fits in well with the western research which also describes these changes in circulation that occur to the skin and internal organs over the day and through the seasons.
Shao Yang Disharmony is a common cause of disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It occurs when the movement of Yang from the
internal to external body does not occur smoothly. Think of a rusty gate that does not open properly. Some Yang can get through but there a not enough which creates simultaneously an excess and deficiency in the periphery and internal body.
Symptoms also manifest along the meridians which are most responsible for this transfer of Yang (the Gall Bladder and Triple Heater meridians).
Understanding this, helps explain why so many seemingly unrelated Western medical conditions all fit under the Shao Yang Disharmony diagnosis.
Problems such as cruciate tears, hip dysplasia, collapsing tracheas, spleen enlargement, immune mediated diseases and GDVs (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) are almost always an indication of a Shao Yang Disharmony. Other signalments which may also fit here are intervertebral disc disease, kidney, liver and pancreatic inflammation, skin disease, hypoadrenocorticism and cancer.
Interestingly, a lot of these cases present or get worse in either Autumn or Spring – when the “rusty gate” is being used most.
The treatment for Shao Yang Disharmony is a herbal blend called Minor Bupleurum. Minor Bupleurum is one of the world’s oldest Chinese herbal blends and one of the most used in Veterinary medicine.
Voltrex contains Minor Bupleurum at its core, with added herbs to enhance pain relief and reduce inflammation.
Voltrex is safe to use with vet prescribed anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids. Often dogs who respond well to Voltrex have a good improvement to these medications. Voltrex may allow these medications to be slowly lowered and even stopped.
*Contraindications: Voltrex is a very safe formula, but use should be avoided in pregnancy.
**Please note, Vets are taught, common things occur commonly. In this case, Voltrex is almost always going to be a good idea for a dog with hip dysplasia or cruciate disease, however there are exceptions. A hands-on visit with your integrative vet will
help refine the herbs best for your pet.
