ServicesWhat is acupuncture?
What sort of conditions is acupuncture used for?
Is acupuncture safe?
Does it hurt?
How does it work to control pain?
How does acupuncture work for conditions other than pain?
How many treatments will be needed?
Where can I learn more about veterinary acupuncture?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines veterinary acupuncture as the examination and stimulation of specific points on the body of animals by the use of needles (and other techniques) for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions.
What sort of conditions is acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture is most well known for pain control. It is also used for many conditions including:
- Digestive problems
- Itchy skin
- Urinary problems
- Liver or kidney disease
- Eye or ear conditions
- Cancer pain or side effects of chemotherapy
- Behavioral problems
- Stiffness or lameness
- Others? (email me about your animal if you do not see the condition listed here!)
Acupuncture is probably one of the safest forms of veterinary treatment but it does have some risk. Complications may include tissue damage from a misplaced needle. Local bleeding or infection, even if a needle is properly placed, could be a rare problem if the animal had a pre-existing condition such as a bleeding disorder or a compromised immune system.
Most animals do not appear bothered by the needles and likewise people do not report pain from the needles. In fact many animals show visible relief from pain while receiving acupuncture. However some animals do act like needles are hurting. In this case I may use laser treatment over acupuncture points.
How does it work to control pain?
Acupuncture reduces pain by various possible mechanisms including the promotion of natural pain inhibitors (endogenous opiods) or by interrupting pain signals in the spinal cord and brain.
How does acupuncture work for conditions other than pain?
The simplest answer is that acupuncture influences the nervous system. Because the nervous system controls all other body systems, this explains some of widespread benefits of acupuncture. Acupuncture influences the body’s natural homeostatic and immunologic surveillance mechanisms. Homeostasis is the body’s hard-wired regulatory system. This is what keeps your animal’s vital functions and immune system working properly. Homeostasis involves regulation of heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, temperature control, pH of body tissues and many other functions. Immunologic surveillance is your animal’s natural capacity to resist disease, or to fight intruders if they somehow get past the initial gatekeepers and invade the body.
A loss of normal regulation is associated with many diseases, therefore acupuncture appears to work by a non-specific mechanism of improving the body’s natural ability to maintain and heal itself. Promoting the body’s own healing capacity can have fewer side effects than a pharmacologic approach.
How many treatments will be needed?
The number of appointments is determined on a case by case basis. Your animal may feel better after one or two treatments, but more may be needed to fully resolve the problem. I usually recommend a series of 3 treatments, once per week. After this some conditions will be corrected, others may need additional treatments.
Where can I learn more about animal acupuncture?
A google search will reveal many websites for you to explore! My favorite site for veterinary acupuncture information is the Colorado State University website of Dr. Narda Robinson. It includes information about the science of acupuncture and other topics in natural medicine and can be seen here.