Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that only more recently has found its way into veterinary medicine. More and more vets are finding that pet acupuncture and other forms of holistic medicine can provide relief in a number of situations. In fact, a growing number of pet owners are turning to acupuncture to help provide their pets with a more comfortable, pain-free life. Even better, acupuncture can be used not only alone when traditional medicine is not an option, but also as a complement to other forms of therapy.
For example, acupuncture is often used to:
- Help relieve inflammation and pain
- Relax muscles and alleviate pain connected to injuries or tension
- Improve blood flood in the body. This in turn helps the body release toxins and heal faster
What Conditions Can Be Treated with Pet Acupuncture?
Since acupuncture often provides an overall feeling of well-being and relaxation, many vets recommend it for pets that have been ill or are recuperating from surgery. This is in addition to any type of medication or traditional treatment your pet might also be receiving. The idea is that by adding acupuncture, you can improve the immune system and help speed up healing.
Common conditions treated by acupuncture include:
- Chronic pain caused by arthritis, disk or nerve injuries
- Asthma (especially in cats) and other respiratory problems
- Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems
- Cardiovascular disease
- A number of neurological problems, such as paralysis of the face and legs
- Skin problems, including dermatitis and other types of skin allergies
- Stress, including the kind caused by illness or chronic pain
- Weakness of the hind legs, hips and back
- Urinary problems, including kidney disease and incontinence
Perhaps the most common use of acupuncture in pets is to manage post-surgery pain or pain during rehabilitation after extensive surgery or a serious injury. Although acupuncture can be used for many ailments, most studies done on it have been about musculoskeletal conditions.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Although there have been many studies surrounding the use and efficacy of acupuncture, not everybody agrees on when and how well it works. This can be compared to most medications/treatments available, in that it works really well for some patients, while it may not make as much a difference in others. Acupuncture is well accepted in veterinary medicine as a tool to help pets deal with pain and other conditions.
There are two ways of evaluating the mechanisms behind acupuncture. The Easter principle behind acupuncture is that accessing certain energy points in the body helps stimulate the central nervous system. This in turn helps correct imbalances and increases the flow of qi or life energy. The Western understanding of acupuncture is that the specific points actually lie in key areas of the body. Some of these areas are nearby an important nerve, some are at the junction of where a muscle becomes a tendon, and others are over areas of increased lymphatic drainage. Thus, when needles are placed in these areas, they actually heighten/stimulate awareness to these locations to improve nerve conduction. Additionally, when a needle touches certain points in the body, it stimulates the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones that ease pain and relieve tension. This is why acupuncture not only helps with physical pain but also causes an overall feeling of calm and relaxation in pets.
Some More Good News
Worried about how your pet is going to feel during a session? Most pets find acupuncture sessions relaxing. In fact, many patients actually fall asleep during sessions. Some acupuncture points can be uncomfortable on initial placement, but there are ways that can be mitigated. Good acupuncture clinicians know how to adjust their technique and work with your pet to mitigate as much of this discomfort as possible.
If you have concerns or questions about using acupuncture on your pet, talk to a vet. Keep in mind that not all vets are qualified to do acupuncture, so you want to make sure you’re dealing with a professional who is certified and has the experience to deal with pets properly.