Acupuncture has evolved from the ancient art of placing needles into special locations on the body to alleviate pain, improve recovery rates and increase resistance to disease. It has been practiced by the Chinese and other Eastern cultures for thousands of years and may be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses.
Acupuncture treatment should always follow an accurate diagnosis of the problem and a full appraisal of all treatment options. In many cases acupuncture is best used in conjunction with conventional medicine however, in some situations, it can be used as a sole treatment. Adding acupuncture to a treatment plan can help to reduce the patient’s requirements for medications which may have undesirable side effects.
Most importantly, acupuncture is extremely safe when practiced correctly and is well accepted by the majority of animals.
Acupuncture treatment should always follow an accurate diagnosis of the problem and a full appraisal of all treatment options. In many cases acupuncture is best used in conjunction with conventional medicine however, in some situations, it can be used as a sole treatment. Adding acupuncture to a treatment plan can help to reduce the patient’s requirements for medications which may have undesirable side effects.
Most importantly, acupuncture is extremely safe when practiced correctly and is well accepted by the majority of animals.
Western Scientific Acupuncture
Scientific research into acupuncture has made enormous progress over the past 40 years and now explains much of acupuncture’s actions which had previously only been understood in the ancient concepts of health described in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
This has brought about the greater recognition and acceptance of acupuncture within the scientific community.
Early research focused mainly on pain relief and the endogenous opioid responses to acupuncture, however, further advances have revealed potent normalising effects to the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system. This has opened the understanding of its use in all manner of internal medical disorders including respiratory, digestive, and reproductive problems.
Early research focused mainly on pain relief and the endogenous opioid responses to acupuncture, however, further advances have revealed potent normalising effects to the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system. This has opened the understanding of its use in all manner of internal medical disorders including respiratory, digestive, and reproductive problems.
What conditions can it treat?
Pain is one of the most common indications for acupuncture. Very often, in cats and dogs, this is chronic (long term) pain due to arthritis but muscular strains and spinal problems can also respond well. Acupuncture can also be a great asset to the rehabilitation of pets following orthopaedic or spinal surgeries.
Acupuncture can also be of great benefit to medical conditions in pets, such as gastrointestinal disease, urinary disorders, epilepsy and much more. As each treatment is specifically tailored to an individual through extensive history taking and detailed examination, the protocol used will vary from animal to animal so please speak to us about your pet’s individual case. Be aware that, as with any treatment, there are a small percentage of animals that will not respond to acupuncture.
What happens during the treatment?
Most animals, even cats and rabbits, will accept acupuncture treatment without any distress or discomfort. A very needle phobic animal can be sedated to reduce stress. The needles used are very thin and the majority are inserted into points on the animal that are not painful. The needles can be left in for 5 to up to 30 minutes depending on the case. In some cases, a small electric current is passed through the endless to intensify the treatment in a method called ‘electroacupuncture’. This is also very well accepted by patients. During treatment, many animals will become more relaxed and even sleepy and this may continue for the rest of the day.
Occasionally, pets will seem even slightly euphoric, so be careful not to let them overdo it! Do not change anything in your normal routine of feeding, exercise or medication unless strictly advised to by Dr Sarah or Eden our physiotherapist.
Occasionally, pets will seem even slightly euphoric, so be careful not to let them overdo it! Do not change anything in your normal routine of feeding, exercise or medication unless strictly advised to by Dr Sarah or Eden our physiotherapist.
What response can I expect?
How often, how much?
On average, 4-6 treatments are required to start with, but acupuncture can be continued long term. Individual acupuncturists vary in their protocol, but as a rule, these are given weekly initially with gradually increasing intervals, until the desired effect is achieved.
The frequency of treatments depends on the individual animal’s needs, but often top-ups are required to maintain the therapeutic effect in the long term. Every pet will have a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs.
A Initial consult lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes comprehensive evaluation, complete pain assessment, joint supplement discussion, first treatment, measurement of range of motions, muscle mass, flexibility tests may be done at this time. Take home exercises will be provided. Pain management and rehabilitation follow up consultations include treatment session up to 45 minutes that are customized specifically for your pet and their rehabilitation needs. Packages are available. Please contact us for more details.
The frequency of treatments depends on the individual animal’s needs, but often top-ups are required to maintain the therapeutic effect in the long term. Every pet will have a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs.
A Initial consult lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes comprehensive evaluation, complete pain assessment, joint supplement discussion, first treatment, measurement of range of motions, muscle mass, flexibility tests may be done at this time. Take home exercises will be provided. Pain management and rehabilitation follow up consultations include treatment session up to 45 minutes that are customized specifically for your pet and their rehabilitation needs. Packages are available. Please contact us for more details.