Acupuncture:

Introduction

Thousands of years before Western ships opened trade with the Far East, Chinese civilization established a system of medicine using herbs, diet, exercise, massage, animal parts, and a treatment technique known as acupuncture to maintain or restore a balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Today, traditional Chinese medicine has been rediscovered by pet owners and veterinarians as adjuncts to Western medicine. The American Veterinarian Medical Association recently recognized acupuncture as a valid veterinary alternative, and the World Health Organization considers acupuncture an effective medical treatment. Veterinarians have since formed the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncturists.

 
How Acupuncture Works:

From an Eastern perspective:

Acupuncture involves the use of fine needles to stimulate the body to good health.  It is based on this principle; Life energy that flows from the body organs can be disturbed by injury or disease. Known as Qi or Chi, this energy stream can be restored by the insertion of thin needles at certain points along the meridian or energy path.

From a Western Perspective:

Acupuncture 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 and causes the release of many neurotransmitters and neurohormones, some of which are endorphins, the bodies “natural pain-killing” hormone.  It relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves, stimulates the body’s defense systems, as well as numerous other beneficial effects.

It is not a panacea (cure-all), but where it is indicated it works well.

Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of conditions and disorders, some of which include muscle and skeletal abnormalities, male and female reproductive problems, neurological illness, and skin disease.  It has also been effective in improving athletic performance.

 THE TREATMENT

Is it painful? How will my pet react?

  Acupuncture is performed with sterilized thin stainless sterile needles.  There is occasionally a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain sensitive areas.  Once the needles are in place, most animals relax and remain calm for a day or two and some animals may seem worse for up to 48 hours after treatment.

Is it safe?

  Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies utilized if practiced by a competent acupuncturist.  Side effects are rare.  Occasionally an animal’s condition may deteriorate temporarily before improving.   Because acupuncture can balance the bodies own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if ever, develop.

How often and for how long does one treat?

  Treatments may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending upon the condition treated and the method employed.  There are many ways of stimulating acupuncture points including needles, electro acupuncture, as well as laser acupuncture.  Patients can be treated up to three times a week for 4 – 6 weeks.  A positive response is often noticed within the first 4 – 6 treatments, sometimes sooner, depending upon the condition treated.  Treatments are then tapered off to whatever is necessary to maintain the patient’s improvement.  Normally patients are seen every two to six months for continued maintenance therapy.

  Some simple ailments or injuries can be treated once, but more complex problems take longer to resolve. Weekly treatments are not unusual and acute cases can take up to three treatments per week.  Once improvement is shown, treatments can taper off.