About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique that has been in practice for over 5000 years. Quite simply, it is the insertion and manipulation of very fine needles into specific points on the body in order to influence physiologic functioning of the body. The intent of acupuncture is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. Because of its relatively low cost and noninvasive nature, acupuncture has become a highly popular form of complimentary health care. In this gentle form of medicine, each treatment is designed uniquely to address imbalance as it is expressed in each individual pet. Symptoms are viewed in relationship to the whole animal in order to explore and address the underlying cause of an illness or disease process.

The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy called Chi or Qi present in every living creature. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely along the meridians, health is maintained, but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain or illness can occur. Imagine rivers that flood and cause disasters, or an electrical grid short circuiting that causes blackouts. Acupuncture works to “reprogram” and restore normal functions by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to free up the Chi energy.

Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within the coherent system of healing known as Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. TCVM includes Herbal Therapy, Food Therapy, Tui-na (therapeutic massage) and Physical Therapy, and is a complete medical system unto itself, not another branch of Western Medicine. Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Eastern Medicine and is most effectively applied when practiced in accordance to these principles, but Eastern and Western Medicine can be integrated into a treatment plan that yields better success than either modality alone.

TCVM is successfully used to treat a wide variety of disease conditions including arthritis, muscle soreness, disc problems, skin/ear problems, vomiting/diarrhea, seizures, urinary conditions including chronic cystitis, and behavioral problems.

Chinese Herbal Therapy is often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Together they can speed recovery from disease, and in many cases decrease the frequency of acupuncture treatments. We will discuss whether or not Herbal Therapy is appropriate for you pet during your sessions.

Your pet’s initial consultation will be about an hour long and will include a conventional Western exam, a TCVM exam, and the first acupuncture session. A series of 4-6 weekly treatments are usually needed before a consistent response is seen. As the treatment progresses, sessions will be spaced monthly, quarterly or twice yearly depending on the particular condition and your pet’s individual response to treatment. Follow-up visits are usually a half-hour long. Pets are usually calm during acupuncture treatments. The placement of the needles causes very little pain. Most pets become very relaxed, or quite sleepy during the treatment, and many of them start to look forward to their sessions!