Acupuncture Care

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points on the body, along meridians or channels, with the intention of a therapeutic effect.  In short, helping the body to heal itself.  All types of acupuncture have the same goals; to reduce pain, increase blood circulation, stimulate hormone release, stimulate stem cells and the immunce system, stimulate nerves and the nervous system.

The Chinese believe that energy, or “Qi,” gathers at acupuncture points and flows all around the body on meridians that tie all the points together.  If the energy stops flowing, then the points become reactive and there is pain.  If the pain is not resolved locally with acupuncture, it can continue and cause internal disease over time. 

Dry Needle Therapy

This is the practice of placing very thin acupuncture needles through the skin into specific acupuncture points.  The needles serve to stimulate the points.

Aqua-puncture

This is the practice of injecting the acupuncture points with a medium to stimulate the points.  Sterile saline, lidocaine or vitamin B12 are common fluids that can be injected.  We use vitamin B12 with our aqua-puncture and is mainly used with horses.

Electro-acupuncture

Small clips are attached to the dry needles that are inserted into specific points.  The clips have wires attached that are run between certain needles and then attached to the electro unit.  Different frequencies and intensities are used to stimulate nerves and reduce painful areas.  This is used mainly for animals with higher levels of pain or paralysis.

There are acupuncture points on the body for anything you can think of wanting to treat. Skin problems, behavior disorders, fertility, musculoskeletal disorders or lameness, muscle pain, eye conditions, diarrhea, ear infections, etc.

For any medical condition, herbs are recommended along with acupuncture for the best and quickest results.  Chinese herbs are pre-made blends that target specific conditions and are prescribed specially for your pet’s condition.

Acupuncture works best if you start soon after the problem or condition you want to treat has happened.  The longer you wait, the longer the treatments will take to work.  If a condition has been ongoing for more than 2 years, success in healing may be reduced.

If you are interested in acupuncture, please call to discuss your pet’s condition to see if acupuncture may help!