Chinese Herbal Approach to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs (2025)

Using Chinese herbal medicine to treat intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs can be highly rewarding. When combined with acupuncture and Western medicine, it can provide immediate and lasting results.

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs is a common diagnosis in veterinary practice.

Numerous studies have shown the beneficial effects of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), including acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and herbal therapies, in canine IVDD patients.1-4 When used together, TCVM and traditional veterinary treatments offer better recovery, along with an improvement in ambulation and the perception of deep pain, than medical treatments alone. This article focuses on the use of Chinese herbal medicine for canine intervertebral disc disease.

TCVM theories and canine IVDD

TCVM associates canine IVDD with a deficiency of Kidney Qi and an accompanying Bi Zheng, a painful obstruction syndrome (spinal Qi and blood stagnation) with invasion of pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, and Damp.

Bi Zheng means “obstruction” in TCVM, and specifically refers to an obstruction of the flow of blood and/or Qi along a meridian or meridians. It is caused by a blockage of Qi or blood in the meridians due to an external attack and invasion of pathogenic Wind, Cold, and/or Damp. Classification of the Bi Syndrome, such as Wind Bi and Cold Bi, depends on which excess predominates, and which might change as the disease progresses.5,6

In Western veterinary medicine, Bi Syndromes include IVDD, rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, myalgia, sciatica, lumbago, spondylitis, and spondylosis. Bi Syndromes are often joint-related, such as arthritis, but any obstructions affecting the musculoskeletal system are considered and treated as a Bi Syndrome. Symptoms may manifest as pain, soreness, numbness, or swelling in the joints, bones, muscles, and/or tendons.7

Application of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease

In chinese herbal medicine for canine intervertebral disc disease, in the acute phase of IVDD, herbs are used to assist in the movement of Qi and blood, to unblock the meridians and collaterals, and resolve pain.8,11

Formulas to resolve spinal blood stagnation

The following blood-regulating formulas are commonly used to resolve the spinal blood stagnation of IVDD:

• Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction) – activates Qi and blood circulation, dispels blood stagnation, opens the channels and collateral, unblocks Bi Zheng and relieves pain.
• Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Tonify the Yang to Restore Five Decoction) – tonifies Yang Qi, activates blood circulation, opens channels and collaterals and nourishes the blood of muscles and sinews to restore bodily functions.

Formulas to release pathogenic factors

The second selection of herbal formulas is used to release pathogenic factors associated with the Bi Zheng of IVDD. The formula is selected based on the predominant invading pathogen:

• Wind expelling formulas

  • Wu Yao Shun Qi San (Lindera Powder to Smooth the Flow of Qi) — dispels Wind, activates Qi, relieves pain, and eliminates phlegm.
  • Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor invigorates the Collaterals Special Pill) — dispels Wind, Cold, and Damp, resolves phlegm, dredges the channels, activates blood circulation, and stops the pain.

• Wind Damp dispelling formulas

  • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Angelica Pubescens and Taxillus Decoction) — dispels Wind-Damp, stops pain, nourishes Liver and Kidney, and tonifies blood and Qi.
  • Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang (Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction) – dredges the channels and collaterals, invigorates blood circulation, and dispels Damp.
  • Yi Yi Ren Tang (Coicis Decoction) – dispels Wind and Damp, benefits Qi, and activates blood.
  • Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan (Upper, Middle, and Lower General-Use Pill for Wind-Pain) – dispels Wind and dissolves Damp, activates blood circulation, eliminates bruising, and resolves pain anywhere in the body.
  • Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Damp) – dispels Wind and eliminates Dampness. Juan Bi Tang (Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction) – tonifies Qi, harmonizes the Ying (nutritive) and Wei (defensive) levels and dispels Wind and Damp.

• Damp Cold dispelling formulas

  • Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill) – dispels Wind, Cold, and Damp, resolves phlegm, dredges the channels, activates blood circulation, and stops pain.
  • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang (Cinnamon Twig, Peony and Anemarrhena Decoction) – dispels Wind-Damp, clears heat from obstruction, and unblocks the channels and collaterals.

• Exterior releasing formulas

  • Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction — Cervical IVDD Taiyang Syndrome) – treats exterior-excess, Wind-Cold syndromes accompanied by stiffness and pain in the neck.
  • Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium) – dispels exterior Wind, Cold, and Damp and relieves muscle soreness and pain throughout the whole body.

Tonifying herbal formulas

In Chinese herbal medicine for canine intervertebral disc disease , the last aspect of herbal treatment for IVDD is the selection of tonifying herbs to resolve underlying deficiencies.

• Yang tonifying herbs
  • Jin Gui Shen Qi San – warms and tonifies Kidney Yang deficiency back pain.
  • Ba Wei Di Huang San – strongly warms and tonifies Kidney Yang deficiency back pain.

• Yin And Yang tonifying formulas
  • Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao – replenishes Yin and tonifies Jing, benefits Qi, and strengthens Kidney Yang. For cervical IVDD with poor Jing, combine with Juan Bi San and/or Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.

3 commonly used Chinese herbal formulas

In chinese herbal medicine for canine intervertebral disc disease, the three most studied and utilized herbal formulas for treating acute IVDD in dogs are Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill), Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Angelica Pubescens and Taxillus Decoction), and Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Tonify the Yang to Restore Five Decoction).

1. Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill)

This is a warming and moving herbal formula that dispels Wind, Cold, and Damp, resolves phlegm, dredges the channels, activates blood circulation, and stops pain. It is one of the most used formulas for the treatment of acute IVDD with paresis and paralysis in dogs.12 This formula contains the following herbs:

• Zhi Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti Preparata) – dispels Wind-Cold, warm, dredge the collaterals and relieve pain.
• Zhi Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffi) – dispels Wind-Cold, warm, dredge the collaterals and relieve pain.
• Tian Nan Xing (Rhizoma Arisaematis) – dries Damp and resolves phlegm.
• Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) – activates Qi and Blood circulation and removes blood stasis.
• Mo Yao (Myrrha) – activates Qi and Blood circulation and removes blood stasis.
• Di Long (Pheretima) – guiding herb to open the channels and collaterals.

This formula should be used in dog with acute IVDD and a strong constitution. It is a powerful formula to be used short term and with caution in patients with blood deficiency or Yin-deficient heat. Overdose of this formula is due to the strong nature of the two versions of aconite. In humans, numbness of hands and feet, dizziness, stiff tongue, pale face, cold extremities, sweating, nausea, and palpitations have been reported.12 Gastrointestinal bleeding has also been attributed to these strong warming herbs.

2. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Angelica Pubescens and Taxillus Decoction)

This formula is often combined with Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill) in patients with chronic back pain, or post-surgical IVDD patients with concurrent Liver and Kidney Qi and blood deficiencies. The herbs dispel Wind-Damp, stop pain, nourish the Liver and Kidney, and tonify blood and Qi.9,10,12 This formula contains the following herbs:

• Du Huo and Xi Xin – dispels Wind, Cold, and Damp.
• Fang Feng and Qin Jiao – dispels Wind-Damp.
• Sang Ji Sheng, Du Zhong, and Chuan Niu Xi – dispels Wind-Damp and tonifies Liver and Kidneys.
• Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, and Bai Shao – tonifies and activates blood circulation.
• Ren Shen and Fu Ling – strengthens the Spleen and tonifies Qi.
• Gui Xin – warms channels and opens blood vessels.
• Gan Cao – harmonizes the herbs in the formula.

The pharmacologic effects include analgesia, anti-inflammation, increased blood perfusion, decreased vascular resistance, and an antiplatelet effect. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang can be considered an herbal alternative to non-steroidal inflammatory drugs and a fundamental herbal formula to aid post-surgical recovery from decompressive surgery. The combination is also thought to prevent further degeneration of intervertebral disks. It is considered one of the most essential formulas for treating non-surgical chronic back pain in overweight, middle-aged pets.1

3. Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (Tonify the Yang to Restore Five Decoction)

This formula tonifies Yang Qi, activates blood circulation, opens channels and collaterals, and nourishes the blood of muscles and sinews to restore bodily functions.12 It contains the following herbs:

• Huang Qi – tonifies Zheng Qi and Yuan Qi.
• Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Tao Ren, and Hong Hua – activates blood and resolves blood stasis.
• Di Long – unblocks the channels and collaterals.

Huang Qi makes up 84% of the formula because it’s needed to tonify source Qi. Once this occurs, the lower amounts of other herbs will move the Qi and then move blood to restore muscles, sinews, and bodily functions.12

This formula is frequently used in human medicine to treat post-stroke sequelae and has effects on the central nervous system. Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang has facilitated the healing and recovery of human subjects who suffered nervous system damage to the brain and spinal cord.12 The formula also has antiplatelet, anticoagulant, thrombocyte, antihyperlipidemic, and cardiovascular effects.

Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang is contraindicated in dogs with Liver Wind rising, Yin deficient heat, or stagnation of phlegm.

Conclusion

Using Chinese herbal Medicine for intervertebral disc disease can be highly rewarding. Treatment involves addressing immediate pain, combating pathogenic factors, and managing underlying kidney Qi deficiency. The application of Chinese herbal medicine for intervertebral disc disease in dogs can be complex, but when combined with acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and Western medicines, it can provide both immediate and lasting results.

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References

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3Liu CM, Holyoak GR, Lin CT. Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs for the treatment in hemivertebral French bulldogs with emergent paraparesis. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Dec;6(4):409–12.

4Brisson BA. Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs. Vet Clin N Am-Small. 2010Sep;40(5):829-858.

5Hayashi AM, Matera JM, da Silva TS, Pinto AC, Cortopassi SR. Electro-acupuncture and Chinese herbs for treatment of cervical intervertebral disk disease in a dog. J Vet Sci. 2007 Mar;8(1):95–8.

6Kim SH, Kim NS, Lee KC, Lee HB, Kim MS. Treatment of Multiple Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease using Electro-acupuncture and Oriental Herbal Medicine in a Dog. Pak Vet J. 2012 Jan;32(4):631–634.

7Cantwell SL. Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine: the mechanism and management of acupuncture for chronic pain. Top Companion Anim Med. 2010 Feb;25(1):53–8.

8Wanrong Song,Haidong Pang,Jingwen Cui,Degui Lin,Jiahao Lin. Acupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Iontophoresis Treatment for Chronic Progressive Cervical Intervertebral Disk Disease in a Dog.Complement Med Res14 June 2021; 28 (3): 263–269.

9Kim MS, Kim SH, Cha JG, Kim NS, Kang HS. Electroacupuncture and “Duhuojisheng-Tang” Administration for Postoperative Treatment in 3 Dogs with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.J. Vet. Clin.2011;23:318–322.

10Han HJ, Yoon HY, Kim JY, Jang HY, Lee B, Choi SH, Jeong SW. Clinical Effect of Additional Electroacupuncture on Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation in 80 Paraplegic Dogs.Am. J. Chin. Med.2010;38:1015–1025.

11Zhong Xi Yi Jie Za Zhi. Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, 1984; 8:491.

12Chen JK, Chen TT, Beebe, S, Salewski, M. Chinese Herbal Formulas for Veterinarians. Art of Medicine Press. 2012.