Chi Rise with Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun
Chi Rise Initiative was born from a conviction that the healing traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine hold answers that modern veterinary science is only beginning to understand.
Why We Exist
Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are diagnosed with spinal injuries, intervertebral disc disease, and degenerative neurological conditions that leave them unable to walk. For many of these animals, conventional medicine offers limited options — surgery with uncertain outcomes, lifelong medication, or the heartbreaking recommendation to accept permanent disability.
Chi Rise Initiative with Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun exists to offer another path. We believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine — practiced for over 3,000 years and now supported by a growing body of veterinary research — can restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve quality of life for animals that conventional medicine has given up on.
Our name reflects our purpose. 'Chi Rise' is rooted in the concept of Qi (the vital life force in TCVM) and 'rise' — the sunrise that Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun's family name evokes. Every treatment we provide is an act of helping an animal rise again.
Dr. Phoebe Yufen Sun
Founder & Lead Practitioner
Dr. Phoebe Yufen Sun
Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun's journey into veterinary TCVM began with a personal experience: watching a beloved family dog recover from spinal paralysis through acupuncture when surgery had failed. That moment of witnessing an animal walk again — after being told it never would — became the foundation of a lifelong calling.
After completing her veterinary degree at China Agricultrual University, Beijing, China, Dr. Sun pursued advanced certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the Chi University, Florida, USA and studied classical herbal medicine under masters in both the United States and China. She has treated animals with paralysis, nerve damage, and chronic pain conditions over her career.
Dr. Sun founded Chi Rise Initiative to make these treatments accessible to more animals and to educate pet owners, veterinarians, and the broader community about the evidence-based potential of integrative TCVM care.
Credentials
- Licensed Veterinarian of China
- Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), Chi University, Florida, USA
- China Agricultrual University, Beijing, China
Treating the Whole Animal
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not treat symptoms in isolation. It views the body as an interconnected system of energy pathways — meridians — through which Qi flows. When injury, illness, or aging disrupts this flow, pain and dysfunction follow. TCVM works to restore balance and remove blockages, allowing the body's own healing intelligence to do its work.
For paralyzed animals, this means addressing not just the site of injury but the entire energetic landscape of the body — supporting organ function, reducing systemic inflammation, nourishing nerve tissue, and strengthening the muscles that will carry the animal forward.
We combine TCVM with modern rehabilitation principles, working alongside conventional veterinarians to provide truly integrative care. We do not ask pet owners to choose between ancient wisdom and modern science — we believe the two are most powerful together.
How We Treat
Each treatment plan at Chi Rise Initiative with Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun is individually designed based on a thorough TCVM diagnosis — tongue and pulse assessment, meridian palpation, and a detailed history of the animal's condition. We draw on four primary modalities, often used in combination.
Acupuncture & Electroacupuncture
Fine sterile needles are placed at specific acupoints along the body's meridian pathways to stimulate nerve regeneration, reduce neurological inflammation, and restore the flow of Qi. Electroacupuncture — in which a gentle electrical current is passed between needles — is particularly effective for paralysis cases, as it provides sustained stimulation to damaged nerve pathways. Most animals tolerate acupuncture remarkably well and often become deeply relaxed during treatment.
Supported by peer-reviewed research in veterinary neurology and pain management
Classical Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal formulas have been refined over millennia to address specific patterns of disharmony in the body. For paralyzed animals, we prescribe formulas that nourish Kidney Jing (the foundational essence governing the spine and nervous system), reduce Bi syndrome (painful obstruction), and support Blood and Qi circulation to damaged tissues. All herbs are sourced from certified suppliers and prepared in forms appropriate for animal administration.
Formulas drawn from classical texts including the Shang Han Lun and Ben Cao Gang Mu
Tui Na Therapeutic Massage
Tui Na is a system of therapeutic bodywork rooted in TCVM principles — distinct from Western massage in that it works directly with the meridian system and acupoints. For rehabilitation patients, Tui Na improves local circulation, reduces muscle atrophy, releases fascial restrictions, and helps re-establish the neurological signals between the brain and the limbs. It is often used to prepare the body before acupuncture and to extend the effects of treatment between sessions.
Effective for muscle re-education and proprioceptive rehabilitation
Food Therapy & Nutritional Guidance
In TCVM, food is medicine. The thermal nature, flavor, and organ affinity of different foods can support or hinder the healing process. We provide individualized dietary guidance based on each animal's TCVM pattern diagnosis — recommending foods that warm the channels, nourish Yin, or tonify Qi as appropriate.
Grounded in classical Five Element nutritional theory
Who We Help
Ready to Help Your Animal Rise?
Every journey begins with a single step. Reach out to learn whether TCVM rehabilitation is right for your pet.
Contact Chinese Veterinarian Dr. Sun