Energy medicine for animals - community thread #1 - THE PANCREAS
Our first Energy Medicine Community Thread
“Here are gentle things we can do alongside veterinary care,
we do not pretend to replace good, caring veterinary guidance.”
The pancreas is a small but extraordinarily important organ, found in the abdomen close to the stomach and small intestine. It produces digestive enzymes that help break down food — particularly fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It also produces hormones including insulin and glucagon, which help regulate blood sugar. So, it is involved in both digestion and blood-sugar regulation.
When the pancreas is healthy, these processes happen quietly in the background. When something goes wrong, however, an animal can become quite unwell.
WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
Perhaps the condition we hear about most often is pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas.
It can be acute, appearing suddenly, or chronic, with repeated or ongoing inflammation.
In dogs, dietary indiscretion — particularly eating unusually rich or fatty food — is recognised as one possible risk factor, although in many cases no single cause can be identified.
Other risk factors can include abnormal blood fats, certain medications, underlying diseases and genetic predisposition.
Signs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain.
Some animals may simply seem “not themselves”.
Cats can be particularly subtle, sometimes showing little more than reduced appetite, hiding or lethargy.
Severe pancreatitis can become a life-threatening illness.
Other pancreatic problems include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), where insufficient digestive enzymes are produced, and diseases affecting insulin production, including diabetes mellitus. Chronic or repeated pancreatic inflammation can sometimes contribute to these longer-term problems.
WHAT DOES VETERINARY CARE INVOLVE?
Remember, Energy Medicine is a gentle support, not a replacement for veterinary care: If you suspect that your animal has pancreatitis or another pancreatic disorder, please involve your veterinarian. A painful or seriously ill animal needs appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and pancreatitis can sometimes require urgent veterinary attention.
Veterinary assessment may include physical examination, blood tests, pancreatic-specific tests and sometimes ultrasound or other imaging.
Treatment depends upon the individual animal and severity of the condition. Supportive care can include fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea medication and appropriate nutritional support.
In dogs with pancreatitis, a vet may recommend a carefully selected low-fat diet. Animals with EPI may require pancreatic enzyme replacement, while diabetes may require insulin and ongoing monitoring.
Interestingly, modern veterinary thinking has moved away from automatically withholding food for several days. Nutritional support is now an important part of recovery, with food being withheld primarily when vomiting cannot be controlled.
It is not recommended changing an animal's diet, medication or supplements during pancreatic illness without discussing it with the veterinary team.
WHERE MIGHT ENERGY MEDICINE FIT?
Firstly, we can work with the animal as a whole — supporting relaxation, circulation, the nervous system and the animal's ability to settle.
With these foundations in place, the animals own self-healing ability deepens … we can remove an ‘energetic’ roadblock to that self-healing.
I would add here … make sure YOUR systems are as energetically balanced as possible, as by osmosis you will impact your animal companion.
Also explore the possibility that he/she might be ‘mirroring’ something YOU need to address! In this case I would first consider your own self-care …. Just saying xxx As far as Liver is concerned, it sits in Wood element which is associated with anger, irritation, inflexibility etc., but specific to Liver is 'inwardly' directed anger and forgiveness issues .... look honestly within, could that be lurking within you? If it is (and nobody but you will know) then your animal companion may be mirroring that back to you.
this is a link to a blog I wrote on this subject.
The animal gets to choose, he/she can be your guide to how you work with their energies.
If an animal moves away, becomes uncomfortable, turns its head or simply says “no thank you”, we stop.
Energy work with animals should always be an invitation rather than something imposed upon them.
I know I’ve said a hundred times before but whereas we might work an hour on a human, animals can often respond in literally minutes – so don’t be put off if he/she turns away after only 3 minutes …. Something WILL have happened, they are turning away because they ‘know’ it’s enough and they need to integrate it.
Another reminder: if an animal doesn’t like being touched, because of their sensitivity, you can still work in their biofield with a lot of the techniques. In fact, sometimes it works ‘better’ working slightly off the body.
Here is the link to a blog I wrote on the subject of working with an animal that doesn't want to be touched .... https://www.madisonking.com/post/what-if-your-animal-companion-doesn-t-want-to-be-touched
THE CALMING CONNECTION
One of the simplest things we can offer an unwell animal is our calm presence.
Sit quietly beside your dog, horse, rabbit or cat.
Rather than immediately touching them, soften your breathing and allow your own nervous system to settle.
You can place a relaxed hand near — rather than necessarily on — the animal's body.
Sometimes the most therapeutic thing we can offer is simply:
“I am here. You are safe. You don't have to do anything.”
For an animal who is frightened, nauseous or uncomfortable, this can be a beautiful starting point.
THE AURA / ENERGY FIELD
Try a very gentle energy sweep around the animal's body, without touching .
Use slow, broad movements from head towards tail and from the body outwards, imagining that you are simply smoothing and settling the energy field.
Keep it very light.
Go in whatever direction your hands take you. e.g. circles, figure 8’s, or long, slow stroking.
You may feel an actual ‘pull’ in a specific direction/shape or something might pop into your head … your intuitive self, amplified by the love bond you have, will be sending messages – observe carefully so you begin to understand the language of the energies.
This is not intended to influence the diseased pancreas directly. Think of it as a whole-body calming practice.
Cross Crawl is one of the basic balancing techniques used in Energy Medicine. The body can heal more effectively if the energies are crossing.
We can create a very gentle energetic version: using your hands, alternately sweep or trace from one side of the body towards the opposite side. You can do this on the Yin underbelly or the Yang back of the body – or both …. Again, let your hands guide you.
The intention is simply to encourage a sense of whole-body balance and integration.
THE SPLEEN (and pancreas) MERIDIAN
Because the Spleen system is traditionally associated within Energy Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine with nourishment, digestion and the transformation of food, it is an interesting energetic system to explore when we are talking about digestive health. It can give us an energetic lens through which to think about nourishment and digestion.
For an animal who enjoys touch, gentle stroking along the inner hind leg can become a lovely calming practice — but always follow the animal's preference.
I would recommend flushing the Spleen meridian - what do I mean by that?
Rub your hands together
Shake them off
Hold the palms facing and sense the energy flow between them - you are calling your attention to their ability to be your 'tools' in this flushing and at the same time, set the loving intention that you are moving the energy to support the self healing necessary for your animal companion.
Trace BACKWARDS once on the pathway - i.e. from ribs to back paw - on both sides
then slowly trace FORWARDS on the pathway (see diagram) - 3 times - talking to the energies, asking that the Spleen (and pancreas) meridian energy be strong, resilient and that the organ, energies and emotions recalibrate to health.
End by an extra hold on the 'source' point on each back foot (Spleen 3), this helps reinforce energy flow to the organ itself, It's self regulating so very safe and efficient.
ACUPRESSURE — THINK GENTLE, NOT STRONG
There are many acupressure points traditionally associated with digestion and abdominal wellbeing. For animals, however, ensure a light touch or simply holding the area energetically, rather than applying firm pressure. (as suggested in Spleen 3 above).Never press on an area that is painful, swollen or sensitive.
Spleen Seed and Stomach 36 combination
What is the ‘seed area’? Seed points have been developed by Donna Eden (The Eden Method). She ‘sees’ certain points/areas on the body that have a unique ‘light’ quality and form a bridge between the Meridian and the Extraordinary Vessel energies. Supporting self-healing and the ability to adapt to change.
With open hands, hold the Spleen seed area, located around the end of Spleen meridian (on the side ribs) and Stomach 36 together to bring a radiance to these two pathways, activating their self-healing capacity and potential.
One minute on both sides of the body.
Tittle tattle: “all is well, you are safe”
Trace Spleen 3 times on both sides of the body – in the field
The location of both areas is the same on other animal companions.
ST36 — Zusanli, traditionally associated with digestion, vitality and general wellbeing. On humans it is one of the most powerful 'master' points ... it 'does it all' and it can do the same on your animal companions. I did an entire blog just on this point (click on the following link) ... I think we should all know how to locate and work this amazing point ...
https://www.madisonking.com/post/stomach-36-the-master-point-of-longevity-vitality-grounded-strength
Nutrition is particularly important. Dogs with pancreatitis are often placed on a carefully controlled, low-fat diet, while animals with EPI may need digestive enzyme replacement and individual dietary management. These needs are not interchangeable, and cats, dogs, horses and rabbits have very different nutritional requirements.
What does your vet recommend?
What does the veterinary nurse in our group know?
What have experienced animal guardians learned?
What evidence is there?And what should we avoid?
A THOUGHT ...Do you have a wonderful vet? ..Why not share their details here so that someone in your area that is seeking veterinary support can benefit from your discovery.
This is where our collective wisdom becomes really valuable.
If you are a vet, veterinary nurse, animal therapist, nutritionist, experienced animal guardian — or simply someone who has learned something valuable through caring for an animal with pancreatic problems — please add your knowledge to this thread.
Let's make this something genuinely useful.
By us.
For us.
And, most importantly, for the animals we love. 🐾
To summarise …….. For an animal who is already under veterinary care and is comfortable being touched, you could try:
1. BE STILL Sit quietly beside your animal and breathe slowly.
2. CONNECT Let the animal decide whether they want contact.
3. SMOOTH Use gentle energy sweeps around the body.
4. BALANCE Try a few gentle Cross Crawl movements energetically. Whenever you feel it appropriate – talk gently and lovingly … it’s good juju! Holding Spleen and Stomach points + the seed point area on the ribs.
5. STROKE If welcomed, use slow, soothing strokes rather than stimulating or vigorous massage.
6. FINISH WITH STILLNESS Simply rest your hand near the animal and allow them to settle.
And then stop.
Sometimes less really is more.
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINE: LISTENING
Animals are wonderfully honest energy communicators.
Watch their eyes, ears, breathing, posture and movement. Notice whether they lean towards your hand or move away.
Notice when they have had enough.
Our job isn't to make an animal accept our healing.
Our job is to offer support and listen to the animal's response.
And that, perhaps, is one of the most beautiful principles of Energy Medicine for Animals:
We don't work on the animal.
We work with the animal.
A NOTE FROM MADDIE
This blog (and any thread) is intended for education, discussion and complementary support.
Energy Medicine and the techniques described here are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure pancreatitis, pancreatic disease or any other veterinary condition, and they are not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
If your animal is vomiting repeatedly, appears to be in pain, is unusually lethargic, refuses food or water, has difficulty breathing,
collapses or you are concerned that something is seriously wrong, please contact your veterinarian promptly.
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