An Introduction To Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the placement of needles into specific points on
the body in order to enhance healing of certain diseases and conditions.
It has been used to treat animals for thousands of years in China. Over
the last century, its use has spread worldwide. Today, many Western
Veterinarians are practicing acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional
medicine and surgery.

The non-invasive nature of acupuncture often makes it a desirable choice
for animals who do not tolerate the side-effects associated with conventional
treatment options. It can be very effective for the treatment of several
conditions and can often reduce the dose of medication that an animal
may require. With time, many patients can be completely weaned off their
medications.

The Philosophy Of How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture differs from the conventional western approach to medicine
because it focuses on treating the cause of a disease rather than only
alleviating its symptoms.

It is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy that disease
is caused by an imbalance of energy within the body. Acupuncture is
believed to restore balance by producing physiological effects that
allow the body to heal. Stimulation of the acupoints is known to cause
the release of endogenous chemicals and hormones, help improve
circulation, stimulate nerves and help relieve muscle spasms and pain.
However, the exact mechanism of how it works is still unknown.

Conditions that can be treated with acupuncture

The main indication for acupuncture in small animals is for disorders that involve pain and dysfunction related to non-infectious inflammation.  It can be effective for treating a variety of musculoskeletal and neurological diseases.  Veterinary acupuncture is most often used to treat conditions such as hip dysplasia and other forms of arthritis, asthma, back pain and intervertebral disk disease.   It can also be used to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and skin disorders in some cases.

Potential side effects

The insertion of the needles through the skin is not thought to be
painful. Most animals become relaxed, or even slightly sedated, once
the needles are in place. However, some patients may experience a mild
amount of unpleasant sensation from the presence of needles in certain
points. This uncomfortable feeling can often be alleviated with gentle
massage of the affected area.

Acupuncture has a very low incidence of side effects and is known to be one
of the safest treatments available in veterinary medicine. In some cases, an
animal’s condition can be exacerbated for 24-48 hours after a
treatment. Other patients may become lethargic for a day after
treatment. However, both of these effects are typically followed by an
overall improvement in the animal’s condition. A thorough review of
your pet’s medical history during the initial acupuncture consult will
help to determine if he or she has any pre-existing conditions that may
increase chances of these side effects occurring.

Treatment Schedules

Certain conditions can be resolved with a single treatment, while most
require a series of treatments over a given period of time. Treatment
sessions are generally required more often in the beginning and
eventually become needed less frequently. Typically, a patient receives
treatment a couple of times a week until a maximal positive response is
reached and then the sessions are reduced in frequency and tapered to
minimum number required to keep the patient free of symptoms. A
positive response is usually observed by the third treatment and a
maximal benefits are typically reached within four to eight sessions.
Most chronic conditions can eventually be controlled with two to four
treatments per year.