Acupuncture

The origin of veterinary acupuncture dates back as far as that of humans and was developed primarily as a tool for treating the ailments of war horses in ancient China. Historically, acupuncture is associated with bleeding techniques for curing diseases and warding off evil spirits once thought to cause sickness. In those times, acupuncture needles were often made of bone, bamboo, and ceramics. Throughout the thousands of years of its use, however, acupuncture has become a refined method of treating disease. Today, scientific studies performed on acupuncture meridians have proven a neurological basis for its numerous benefits.

Acupuncture consists of the placement of sterile, thin, stainless steel needles at specific points along the body. Needle placement alters the body's biochemical and physiologic properties; providing a benefit both locally and at the level of the central nervous system. The stimulation of needles with physical manipulation and/or electrical input helps to increase the overall stimulus and effect.

Though the applications of acupuncture are many, it is most commonly applied to veterinary patients for the treatment of pain associated with arthritis, surgery, and cancer. It is also beneficial for neurological syndromes including: dry eye, constipation, urinary and fecal incontinence, and paralytic disorders.

Acupuncture is becoming a widely accepted and increasingly popular option for family pets. It can be applied as a primary option for treating pain and disease, or may be combined with main-stream medicine to reduce response time and decrease the dose and duration of medicinal therapy.

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