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VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE
What is acupuncture?
The term acupuncture is from the Latin, “acus” meaning ‘needle’ and “punctura” meaning ‘toprick’. Acupuncture, in its simplest sense, is the treatmentof conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fineneedles into specific points on the body in order to produce aresponse.Acupuncture points can also be stimulated without the use of needles. Laser, electro-acupuncture and Acupressure offermeans of treating animals unhappy with needle treatment.Specific acupuncture points have been well charted for bothhumans and animals, and were discovered by ancientChinese scholars to be connected with each other andvarious internal organs via meridians or channels. Many of these channels trace the paths of the body’s major nerves andblood vessels.Each acupuncture point has specific actions whenstimulated. Combinations of points are often stimulated totake advantage of synergistic reactions between them.Which acupuncture points are stimulated, the depth of needle insertion, the type of stimulation applied to theneedles, and the duration of each treatment session dependson the patient’s tolerance and the condition being treated.
Acupressure Training Photoscourtesy of Tallgrass AnimalAcupressure. www.animalacupressure.com
What is the history of acupuncture in veterinary medicine?
Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical treatment, and is believedto have possibly originated in Indiaat least 7000 years ago. Thedevelopment of acupuncture intothe extraordinarily effective tool itis today probably began in theearliest dynasties of China. Jesuitmissionaries brought acupuncture toEurope from the Orient in the lateseventeenth century, where it hascontinued to be used to varyingdegrees. In the UK, the use of acupuncture outside of Orientalcommunities was infrequent untilthe early 1970s. Since then, asmore clinical research has beenconducted showing positive resultsin the treatment of both animals andhumans, its use has been increasing.
Acupressure Training Photos courtesy ofTallgrass Animal Acupressure. www.animalacupressure.com
In North America, acupuncture as an organised form of veterinary medicine has been in existencesince approximately 1975, when the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) wasfounded. Veterinary Acupuncture has grown in the UK from a fringe practice to one commonlyoffered in surgeries throughout the country.
On which species of animals is acupuncture practiced regularly?
Acupuncture can be used on a wide range of species, including elephants, cattle, horses, dogs,cats, monkeys, and rabbits. However, it tends to be more frequently used in companion animalspecies such as the horse, dog and cat. Most animals tolerate the treatments very well. It may benecessary to gently restrain the animal during the first treatment to minimise reaction. As a rule,animals relax and sit or lie quietly for subsequent treatments.
Who practices veterinary acupuncture and do I need a referral?
Because of the differences in anatomy, and the potential for harm if the treatments are doneincorrectly, only a properly trained veterinarysurgeon should perform acupuncture on animals.The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons considersthe practice of acupuncture to be an act of veterinarysurgery, and as such, should only be performed by alicensed vet trained in the field or by anacupuncturist in conjunction with a vet.
What conditions are most often treated withacupuncture?
Acupuncture can successfully help reproductive,musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary,gastrointestinal and dermatologic systems. Themost common conditions that are treated includetraumatic nerve injuries, intervertebral disk disease,degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy and other centralnervous system disorders; asthma, allergic dermatitis, lick granulomas; and
chronic pain such asthat caused by degenerative joint disease (arthritis).
Any condition may potentially benefitfrom acupuncture. Please ask us for details.
Any condition may potentially benefit fromacupuncture. Disk disease and chronicallypainful diseases such as hip dysplasiaare two examples.
How can my pet benefit from acupuncture?
Acupuncture stimulates healing of some conditions, and provides effective pain relief in others.If properly applied, it may eliminate the need for surgery in certain conditions. Followingsurgery, it can improve the patients’ comfort level and speed up the post-operative recoveryperiod. In some cases, it may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term medication. Anintegrated approach with conventional medicine is the best approach.
How successful is acupuncture?
The success of treatment of chronic conditions will vary according to the skill of the practitioner,the disorder being treated, and the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments.
The earlierin the course of disease that acupuncture is started and the more numerous and frequentthe treatments, the better the response tends to be.
As a very rough guide, about ¼ of patientsshow major improvement, ½ show significant improvement but still have some symptoms, and ¼show little or no benefit.
How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture should never be administered without aproper veterinary diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of the patient’s condition and response to any prior treatment.This is critical because acupuncture is capable of maskingpain or other clinical signs and may delay proper diagnosisonce treatment has begun. Elimination of pain may lead toincreased activity on the part of the animal, thus delayinghealing or worsening the original condition.With most acupuncture treatments, multiple acupuncturepoints are stimulated with at the same time, takingadvantage of the interactive response to stimulation.In the hands of a knowledgeable veterinary acupuncturist,adverse reactions are very rare. Such reactions mayinclude mild transient bruising or swelling at the needleinsertion site; a mild worsening of the condition for a shorttime (usually 24 to 48 hours); difficulty removing needlesbecause of muscle spasm; injury to an underlying tissue ororgan; and infection at the needle site. Certainacupuncture points are contraindicated in pregnantanimals. Caution is exercised if certain drugs such asnarcotics or corticosteroids are being used, or if the animalhas a clotting disorder. If your pet has cancer, acupuncture may not be appropriate.
Acupressure Training Photoscourtesy of Tallgrass AnimalAcupressure. www.animalacupressure.com
What is the cost of acupuncture?
Comprehensive acupuncture treatment involves a thorough history taking and physicalexamination, followed by a patient assessment and formulation of a treatment plan. It rarelyinvolves a single visit, and costs will vary according to the specific condition being treated, theequipment required and the response of the patient. The fees associated with acupuncturetreatment are set by the individual practitioner, and will often reflect the skill, experience andtraining of the practitioner.
Can acupuncture be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?
Acupuncture is useful as an adjunct therapy to control vomiting associated with chemotherapy, tomanage post-operative pain and to speed healing after injuries. However, as a complete and well-developed system of medicine, acupuncture is effective as the sole form of treatment for mostconditions, and is often used this way. Caution must be used when mixing acupuncture withsome drugs, or with other forms of therapy. In general, however, acupuncture can be veryeffectively combined with most conventional and alternative therapies.Certified veterinary acupuncturists have the knowledge and skill to understand the interactionsbetween different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient’s response to therapy. If your petis receiving acupuncture treatment from a practitioner other than your usual veterinary surgeon, itis
imperative
that both individuals are kept updated about the ongoing treatment in order toprovide coordinated care of your pet, to allow proper evaluation of treatment and to minimise anyavoidable interactions or interferences. Treatment of animals with acupuncture is a skilled act of veterinary surgery. It should only be performed by a vet or under his/her direct supervision.
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Veterinary Acupuncture
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