I find it sad that you will not consider acupuncture because you have a shy dog. I have taken two spooks to my holistic Vet and both responded positively to the treatment. It's as much the Vet as the handling. Dixie was a spook through and through. I remember when we adopted her, the seasoned greyhound adoption gal made the comment that if she ever gets loose, she will never be caught. Yet, 5 minutes in my Holistic Vet's office and Dixie was settled down and letting Dr. Keller touch and feel her all over.
Dylan saw Dr. Keller every 3 weeks during his cancer surgery and chemo. He enjoyed the time we spent in her office and seemed to look forward to her loving and gentle touch. We would stop at her office for a balancing treatment after his chemo. Very often I would have Dancer and sometimes JD with us as they needed treatments also. Dylan's oncologist was 100 miles from home and Dr. Keller was on the way home. She always had the front office set up with dim lights and soothing music for us. Many times she would do the treatment on Dancer, Dylan and JD and just close the door and let us relax. We all napped in that room. I remember one stressful day when I just laid on the floor with Dylan and Dancer and we slept for like an hour. Dr. Keller said she opened the door, saw us all on the floor and quietly closed the door again. She is an awesome Vet and person. It the Vet as much as the treatment that your dog will respond to. I will not hesitate to take our current spook to her if the need arises.
We also had a Vet once who was very "enthusiastic" when dealing with my greyhounds. He used "big" movements and had a loud voice. Neither Dylan nor Dixie liked it at all and I quickly found another Vet. After, with our traditional Vet, I would tell techs as we got into the exam room that Dixie or Dylan was a spook and to please ask the Vet to enter the exam room quietly. Both Vets were always more than happy to comply.
Any Vet should be happy to modify their behavior to assure maximum comfort levels for each dog. If not, I would find another Vet, as I have done in the past. Some many dogs benefit from both acupuncture and chiropractic treatments.
We used milk thistle when Dylan was going through chemo. I do not remember the does.