What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Your vet may suggest acupuncture if your pet suffers from joint inflammation, allergies, gastrointestinal problems, hip dysplasia, or neurological conditions. The ancient Chinese method is regularly recommended as an adjunct to conventional veterinary treatments such as medication and surgical procedures.
While alternative treatment is helpful, it is not suitable for all pets. Acupuncture should not be used for acute conditions like infections. Some pets may refuse to cooperate when an acupuncturist asks them to stay motionless for 20 minutes.
According to research, acupuncture can help reduce discomfort and inflammation while improving a pet’s quality of life.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture stems from the Latin words “acus” for “needle” and “punctura” for “to prick.”
Acupuncture has been used successfully on people and animals for approximately 4,000 years. Medical and veterinary acupuncture, also known as neuroanatomical acupuncture, stimulates the animal’s nervous system. Acupuncture is utilized for pain relief and seizure therapy combined with standard vet treatment.
In its most basic form, acupuncture treats illnesses or symptoms by inserting extremely thin needles into specific spots on the body. Acupuncture points can likewise be stimulated without needles by acupressure, cupping, or by administering heat, cold, water, ultrasound, or other methods at the practitioner’s discretion. Veterinary cold laser therapy, which promotes cell regeneration and circulation, is likewise utilized by some acupuncturists instead of needles.
What conditions respond well to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is used not just for pain alleviation. Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with conventional veterinary therapy to help address clinical problems and provide our patients with a higher quality of life.
Acupuncture is commonly used in small animals for neurological disorders such as muscular strains, arthritis, postoperative orthopedic ailments, and nervous system diseases such as postoperative neurologic conditions and seizure management. Acupuncture can also be used to treat various medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease, skin-related diseases, and pain management.
Acupuncture is usually utilized in big animals to treat musculoskeletal and reproductive problems. Treatment is also available for facial paralysis, TMJ discomfort, and nasal difficulties, among other things.
How safe is acupuncture?
When performed by a certified acupuncturist from a credible Berkeley pet hospital, this procedure is one of the safest treatments available. Since acupuncture balances the body’s inherent healing system, few side effects exist. Occasionally, an animal’s health may appear to deteriorate briefly before recovering.
Key Takeaways
- Is my pet a suitable candidate? Acupuncture might not be the perfect solution for elderly pets or those struggling with significant conditions or accidents. It is especially advantageous in pets suffering from orthopedic problems such as joint inflammation and back discomfort.
- What about the adverse effects of needle insertion? While your pet might suffer an infection at a needle site, acupuncture reactions are rare.
- How long will it take for the procedure to work? The number of sessions your pet may need to obtain alleviation differs on the diagnosis. Commonly, improvements occur after three to four sessions.
- What additional treatments would be beneficial? Veterinary acupuncturists may propose electro-acupuncture, which transmits moderate electric currents through the needles for higher stimulation. Herbal medicines to augment acupuncture and accelerate healing may also be suggested by the vet.
