Acupuncture is proven to help relieve pain and muscle spasms, increase nerve regeneration, and improve circulation by inserting tiny spindle-like needles into very specific points on the body.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Pets
Depending on the size of the patient, acupuncture can be used to help treat the following conditions:
Muscle spasms or pain
Neck or back pain
Arthritis
Weakness
Post-operative recovery
Soft tissue injuries
Orthopedic injuries e.g., hip dysplasia, ACL tears, shoulder instability
Acupuncture can also be used as preventative medicine to keep the muscles and tendons resistant to injury so is often used in sports medicine for animals involved in racing, jumping, or showing.
Book a consultation visit with one of our veterinary acupuncturists to discuss how your pet could benefit today!
Individual acupuncture points on an animal’s body have been specifically chosen due to the unique reactions that occur when a needle is inserted.
When an acupuncture needle is placed, it stimulates a cascade of reactions within the body and chemicals are released. Depending on where and how the needle is inserted, chemicals released can cause muscle contraction while others are hormones like endorphins (pain control) and histamine (immunity).
The reaction in the body can be altered by the time that the needles are left in place. By removing the needles after certain times, the cascade of events is interrupted at different points, thereby producing a different physiological result.
Types of Acupuncture for Pets
While most veterinary acupuncturists use the traditional “dry needle” method, there are several other types of acupuncture. Different forms of include:
Dry needle acupuncture - "Normal" acupuncture
Aqua-puncture - Injection of Vitamin B12 into the acupuncture points
Electro-acupuncture - A micro-current connected from one needle to another
Laser-acupuncture - For animals that cannot tolerate the needles
Moxa-acupuncture - The burning of a Chinese Herb over the needles to heat the acupuncture point.
Acupuncture is very effective for pain management, promotes tissue healing ,is anti inflammatory, supports the immune system, and increases well being and quality of life.
Because acupuncture needles tend to be less uncomfortable than needles used for injections or blood draws, most animals don't mind the procedure at all. Acupuncture also causes the release of endorphins, so many patients actually relax, and some even sleep through the procedure.
When administered by a trained, qualified veterinary professional, acupuncture is virtually painless and remarkably well tolerated by animals.
Some more sensitive dogs and cats may take longer to adjust but they tend to learn quickly that it is a positive, feel-good experience once the positive results of treatment are felt.
Since acupuncture is a very individualized treatment, each animal will have a unique treatment plan. During your initial consultation visit, the veterinary acupuncturist will perform a physical evaluation and gather a full history of your pet’s condition. Based on this, they will create a plan, including the frequency and length of acupuncture treatments, specifically tailored to your pet’s needs.
Veterinary acupuncture sessions typically vary in range. The length of your pet’s session will be determined based on their size, species, treatment goals, and overall temperament.
