Acupuncture
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is the insertion of small needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect. This technique has been used in veterinary practice for at least 3000 years to treat many ailments. Acupuncture is also used as preventive treatment against various acute and chronic conditions in animals.
The American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery. Used either by itself or in conjunction with Western medicine, veterinary acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
A healthy body is said to be in ‘homeostasis’ or ‘balance’. Illness and/or injury cause the body to become unbalanced. Acupuncture is a key therapy used to bring the body back into its proper homeostatic state and is known to affect all major physiological systems. It works primarily through the central nervous system affecting the musculoskeletal, hormonal and cardiovascular systems. It does more than relieve pain. How it works depends on what condition one is treating and which points are utilized. Acupuncture increases circulation, causes a release of many neurochemicals, some of which are endorphins, the body’s “natural pain-killing” hormones, relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves, stimulates the body’s defense systems, as well as numerous other beneficial effects.
IS ACUPUNCTURE PAINFUL? HOW WILL MY ANIMAL REACT?
For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. Once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy.
IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
Acupuncture is performed with sterile, thin stainless steel needles. It is one of the safest therapies utilized if practiced by a competent acupuncturist. Side effects are rare. Because acupuncture balances the body’s own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if ever, develop.
HOW LONG DO ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS LAST AND HOW OFTEN ARE
THEY GIVEN?
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient. Treatments may last up to 30 minutes. There are many ways of stimulating acupuncture points, including needles, electro-acupuncture, and moxibustion (heating the point).
Typically, a dog or cat is treated once a week and a positive response is observed after the first to third treatments. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, while more chronic conditions may need 3-6 treatments to obtain a maximum response. Treatments for chronic conditions can
often be tapered off to 2-4 treatments per year.
WHAT CONDITIONS RESPOND TO ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is mainly indicated for functional problems such as those that involve pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, arthritis, and paralysis. For small animals, the following list contains some conditions which may be treated with acupuncture. Click here to view the list.
WHO CANNOT HAVE ACUPUNCTURE?
Pets who have very low white blood cell counts or severe clotting problems should not have acupuncture. If your pet has a pacemaker, she can still have acupuncture, just please tell your veterinary acupuncturist.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR AN APPOINTMENT?
Call our front desk staff for an appointment! Please bring any records and radiographs from your veterinarian to help guide us in our treatment to help your animal as much as possible.