Acupuncture
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Acupuncture is one of a variety of therapies that your veterinarian
may use to treat your pet. Simply stated, acupuncture is the
stimulation of specific points on the body that have the ability to alter
various biochemical and physiologic conditions to achieve the desired
effect. It is a means of helping the body heal itself. Acupuncture has
been used successfully for nearly 4000 years on animals, as well as
human beings. As a matter of fact, it is still the treatment of choice for
one quarter of the world’s population for many problems. It is now
being utilized by an increasing number of veterinarians, alongside
Western medicine, for various disease conditions. It is not a panacea,
or cure-all, but in certain disease conditions it works well.
What conditions respond to acupuncture?
Acupuncture bridges the gap between medicine and surgery. In the
Western world acupuncture is used primarily when medications are
not working, are contraindicated because of possible side effects, or
when surgery is not feasible. In China, it is often used as the primary
treatment before conventional medicines and surgery.
In small animals, including exotics, and large animals, primarily horses,
acupuncture is most commonly used for musculoskeletal problems
such as arthritis, skin problems, nervous disorders, reproductive
disorders, respiratory problems, poor immunity and internal medicine
problems such as heart and kidney disease, etc.
How does it work?
Acupuncture is now known to affect all major physiologic systems. It
works primarily via the central nervous system, affecting the
musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems. However,
acupuncture does more than just relieve pain. Acupuncture also
increases circulation, causes a release of many neurotransmitters and
neurohormones (some of which are endorphins, the natural “pain-
killing” hormones), relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves, and
stimulates the body’s defense system, among many other beneficial
effects. The particular method in which it works depends on the
conditions being treated and the points used. Usually more than one
mechanism of action is involved when each individual acupuncture
point is “needled”.
may use to treat your pet. Simply stated, acupuncture is the
stimulation of specific points on the body that have the ability to alter
various biochemical and physiologic conditions to achieve the desired
effect. It is a means of helping the body heal itself. Acupuncture has
been used successfully for nearly 4000 years on animals, as well as
human beings. As a matter of fact, it is still the treatment of choice for
one quarter of the world’s population for many problems. It is now
being utilized by an increasing number of veterinarians, alongside
Western medicine, for various disease conditions. It is not a panacea,
or cure-all, but in certain disease conditions it works well.
What conditions respond to acupuncture?
Acupuncture bridges the gap between medicine and surgery. In the
Western world acupuncture is used primarily when medications are
not working, are contraindicated because of possible side effects, or
when surgery is not feasible. In China, it is often used as the primary
treatment before conventional medicines and surgery.
In small animals, including exotics, and large animals, primarily horses,
acupuncture is most commonly used for musculoskeletal problems
such as arthritis, skin problems, nervous disorders, reproductive
disorders, respiratory problems, poor immunity and internal medicine
problems such as heart and kidney disease, etc.
How does it work?
Acupuncture is now known to affect all major physiologic systems. It
works primarily via the central nervous system, affecting the
musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems. However,
acupuncture does more than just relieve pain. Acupuncture also
increases circulation, causes a release of many neurotransmitters and
neurohormones (some of which are endorphins, the natural “pain-
killing” hormones), relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves, and
stimulates the body’s defense system, among many other beneficial
effects. The particular method in which it works depends on the
conditions being treated and the points used. Usually more than one
mechanism of action is involved when each individual acupuncture
point is “needled”.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, disease is an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture
therapy is based on balancing the energy, correcting the flow of energy, and thereby healing your
pet.
Is it painful? How will my pet react?
Acupuncture is often performed with sterilized thin, filamentous stainless steel needles. Occasionally
your pet will experience a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain
areas. Once the needles are in place, most pets relax, often falling asleep during treatment. For
some nervous pets, it may take several treatments before they feel comfortable enough with your
veterinarian to fully relax.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies available if practiced by a competent acupuncturist. Side
effects are rare. Occasionally an animal’s condition may deteriorate temporarily before positive
results can be seen. However, if the body’s own system of healing is allowed to work and no
chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if ever, develop. If your pet is extremely weak due
to advanced disease, your veterinarian may choose only a small number of acupuncture points in the
beginning and gradually increase the number of points, if needed, as your pet improves and gains
strength.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a natural form of treatment that enlists your pet’s inflammatory and healing
mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and manage disease processes. Unlike with some
pharmaceutical treatments, there is no masking of a serious problem. Acupuncture techniques can
be used for diagnosis as well as treatment.
The main disadvantage of acupuncture is the owner’s misunderstanding of what to expect from its
use: the belief that the pet will miraculously improve, that all conditions can be treated with
acupuncture, and that the animal will only need one treatment when several treatments are usually
necessary to achieve (and sometimes maintain) the desired result. Other potential disadvantages
include the chance that the pet will overuse an injured limb because of decreased pain as a result of
acupuncture, resulting n a more serious injury, and misapplication of acupuncture needles can result
in eye injuries, pneumothorax, infectious arthritis, and broken needles.
The chances of these negative effects occurring in clinical practice are extremely remote. They are
included here for the sake of completeness and to impress upon the pet owner that no treatment
modality is completely risk free.
How often and for how long will your veterinarian treat your pet?
Treatments may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the condition treated and the
method used. There are many ways of stimulating acupuncture points, including needles,
electroacupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into the point), moxibustion (heating the
point), and laser acupuncture. Pets may be treated as frequently as one to three times a week
(depending again upon the condition treated), but typically are treated once weekly for four to six
weeks. After the initial treatment period, the intervals between acupuncture treatments are then
extended based upon your pet’s response to treatment and what is needed to maintain
improvement. Most pets are seen once every two to six months for continued maintenance therapy,
although there are some pets who no longer need acupuncture therapy once their condition has
resolved.
Acupuncture is not a “one-time fix”, nor is it a cure-all. Some disease conditions will not respond to
acupuncture; just as there are some diseases that do not respond well to conventional Western
medicine. It is not uncommon for owners to observe improvement in their pet’s condition after the
first acupuncture treatment; however, three to four acupuncture treatments must be completed
before accurately assessing the effectiveness of treatment. Depending upon the severity of the
disease, some pets may not show any signs of improvement until the sixth or eighth treatment. Just
as in Western medicine, the earlier that your pet’s disease is diagnosed and treated, the quicker
and better the response to treatment.
If I choose acupuncture as a form of treatment for my pet, does that mean that I will not need any
medications?
The nature and purpose of the disease condition, recommended procedures, possible alternative
methods of treatment, risks involved and possibility of complications will be fully explained prior to
beginning acupuncture treatment on your pet.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is not exclusive of Western medicine. For some diseases, using a
combination of Western medicine (drugs and/or surgery), Chinese Herbal Medicine, dietary changes
and acupuncture therapy will achieve a much better outcome than when only one of these
modalities is used.
What does my veterinarian need to know about my pet?
Before acupuncture treatment is performed on your pet, your veterinarian will perform a
comprehensive physical medical and acupuncture examination. During this time it is important for
you to inform your veterinarian with pertinent husbandry details such as:
• A complete dietary history: regular food, amount consumed, any people food, treats, etc.
• Usual activity level and accommodations during the daytime and night time.
• A complete medical history of allergies, major surgeries, illnesses requiring hospitalization,
traumatic incidents, etc.
• If your pet has had cancer, let the veterinarian know this BEFORE treatment is begun. There
is a concern that improving the blood flow and flow of energy in the body may help the cancer grow
instead of reducing it. Whether or not to treat your pet with acupuncture when it has or has had
cancer needs to be a decision made by you and your veterinarian. However, acupuncture has been
used to help with the nausea and diarrhea that usually occurs when pets are treated with radiation
and chemotherapy.
It is also important for you to let your veterinarian know about any physical changes that occur in
your pet’s health during and after all acupuncture treatments.
Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have with your veterinarian at
any time.
therapy is based on balancing the energy, correcting the flow of energy, and thereby healing your
pet.
Is it painful? How will my pet react?
Acupuncture is often performed with sterilized thin, filamentous stainless steel needles. Occasionally
your pet will experience a brief moment of sensitivity as the needle penetrates the skin in certain
areas. Once the needles are in place, most pets relax, often falling asleep during treatment. For
some nervous pets, it may take several treatments before they feel comfortable enough with your
veterinarian to fully relax.
Is it safe?
Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies available if practiced by a competent acupuncturist. Side
effects are rare. Occasionally an animal’s condition may deteriorate temporarily before positive
results can be seen. However, if the body’s own system of healing is allowed to work and no
chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if ever, develop. If your pet is extremely weak due
to advanced disease, your veterinarian may choose only a small number of acupuncture points in the
beginning and gradually increase the number of points, if needed, as your pet improves and gains
strength.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a natural form of treatment that enlists your pet’s inflammatory and healing
mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and manage disease processes. Unlike with some
pharmaceutical treatments, there is no masking of a serious problem. Acupuncture techniques can
be used for diagnosis as well as treatment.
The main disadvantage of acupuncture is the owner’s misunderstanding of what to expect from its
use: the belief that the pet will miraculously improve, that all conditions can be treated with
acupuncture, and that the animal will only need one treatment when several treatments are usually
necessary to achieve (and sometimes maintain) the desired result. Other potential disadvantages
include the chance that the pet will overuse an injured limb because of decreased pain as a result of
acupuncture, resulting n a more serious injury, and misapplication of acupuncture needles can result
in eye injuries, pneumothorax, infectious arthritis, and broken needles.
The chances of these negative effects occurring in clinical practice are extremely remote. They are
included here for the sake of completeness and to impress upon the pet owner that no treatment
modality is completely risk free.
How often and for how long will your veterinarian treat your pet?
Treatments may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the condition treated and the
method used. There are many ways of stimulating acupuncture points, including needles,
electroacupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into the point), moxibustion (heating the
point), and laser acupuncture. Pets may be treated as frequently as one to three times a week
(depending again upon the condition treated), but typically are treated once weekly for four to six
weeks. After the initial treatment period, the intervals between acupuncture treatments are then
extended based upon your pet’s response to treatment and what is needed to maintain
improvement. Most pets are seen once every two to six months for continued maintenance therapy,
although there are some pets who no longer need acupuncture therapy once their condition has
resolved.
Acupuncture is not a “one-time fix”, nor is it a cure-all. Some disease conditions will not respond to
acupuncture; just as there are some diseases that do not respond well to conventional Western
medicine. It is not uncommon for owners to observe improvement in their pet’s condition after the
first acupuncture treatment; however, three to four acupuncture treatments must be completed
before accurately assessing the effectiveness of treatment. Depending upon the severity of the
disease, some pets may not show any signs of improvement until the sixth or eighth treatment. Just
as in Western medicine, the earlier that your pet’s disease is diagnosed and treated, the quicker
and better the response to treatment.
If I choose acupuncture as a form of treatment for my pet, does that mean that I will not need any
medications?
The nature and purpose of the disease condition, recommended procedures, possible alternative
methods of treatment, risks involved and possibility of complications will be fully explained prior to
beginning acupuncture treatment on your pet.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is not exclusive of Western medicine. For some diseases, using a
combination of Western medicine (drugs and/or surgery), Chinese Herbal Medicine, dietary changes
and acupuncture therapy will achieve a much better outcome than when only one of these
modalities is used.
What does my veterinarian need to know about my pet?
Before acupuncture treatment is performed on your pet, your veterinarian will perform a
comprehensive physical medical and acupuncture examination. During this time it is important for
you to inform your veterinarian with pertinent husbandry details such as:
• A complete dietary history: regular food, amount consumed, any people food, treats, etc.
• Usual activity level and accommodations during the daytime and night time.
• A complete medical history of allergies, major surgeries, illnesses requiring hospitalization,
traumatic incidents, etc.
• If your pet has had cancer, let the veterinarian know this BEFORE treatment is begun. There
is a concern that improving the blood flow and flow of energy in the body may help the cancer grow
instead of reducing it. Whether or not to treat your pet with acupuncture when it has or has had
cancer needs to be a decision made by you and your veterinarian. However, acupuncture has been
used to help with the nausea and diarrhea that usually occurs when pets are treated with radiation
and chemotherapy.
It is also important for you to let your veterinarian know about any physical changes that occur in
your pet’s health during and after all acupuncture treatments.
Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have with your veterinarian at
any time.