VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE
| ESSENTIAL PROCESS, INC. Noreen Ziegler, DVM, CNC |
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points on the body to cause a desired healing effect. This technique
has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years
to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as a
preventive against such problems as founder and colic in horses.
Acupuncture is used all over the world. Either by itself or in
conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of maladies
in every species of domestic and exotic animals. Modern veterinary
acupuncturists use solid needles, hypodermic needles, bleeding
needles, electricity, heat, massage and low power lasers to stimulate
acupuncture points. Acupuncture is not a cure-all, but can work very
well when it is indicated.
For which conditions is acupuncture indicated?
Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those
that involve paralysis, non-infectious inflammation (such as allergies),
and pain. For small animals, the following are some of the general
conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:
Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc pathology
For large animals, acupuncture is again commonly used for functional
problems. Some of the general conditions where it might be applied
are the following:
In addition, regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports
injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant
to injury. World-class professional and amateur athletes often use
acupuncture as a routine part of their training. If your animals are
involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping, or showing,
acupuncture can help keep them in top physical condition.
How does acupuncture work?
According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result
of an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is believed to
balance this energy and, thereby, assist the body to heal disease.
In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by
affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture
can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulations, relieve muscle
spasm, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one
of body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid).
Although many of acupuncture’s physiological effects have been
studied, many more are still unknown. Further research must be to
discover all of acupuncture’s effects and its proper uses in all
veterinary medicine.
Is acupuncture painful?
For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually
painless. The larger needles necessary for the large animals may
cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. In all
animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most
animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy.
Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensations,
presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can
occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable to some animals.
Is acupuncture safe for animals?
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for
animals when it is administered by a properly-trained veterinarian.
Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s
condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after treatment. Other
animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after
acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological
changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an
improvement in the animal’s condition.
How long do acupuncture treatments last and how often are
they given?
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the
condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by
the veterinary acupuncturist. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture
point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A
simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one
treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several
or several dozen treatments.
When multiple treatments are necessary, they usually begin intensively
and are tapered to maximum efficiency. Patients often start with 1-3
treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually
seen after the first to third treatments. Once a maximum positive
response is achieved (usually after 4-8 treatments), treatments are
tapered off so that the greatest amount of symptom free time elapses
between them. Many animals with chronic conditions can taper off to 2-
4 treatments per year.
Animals undergoing athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as
often as twice a week to once a month. The frequency depends on
the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete.
How should I choose an acupuncturist for my animals?
There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary
acupuncturist.
In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is
considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinaries may
legally administer to animals. A veterinarian is in the best position to
diagnose an animal’s health problem and then determine whether an
animal is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or whether its
problem requires chemical, surgical, or no intervention.
In the USA, the American Veterinary Medical Association considers
veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of
veterinary medicine and surgery, but extensive educational programs
should be undertaken before a veterinarian is considered competent
to practice acupuncture. Ask you veterinarian about their training.
The more veterinarian knows about the traditional Chinese
philosophies and Western scientific basis for acupuncture, the more
sure you can be that your animals will be properly treated.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society gratefully acknowledges the writings of
Richard Panzer, DVM, MS in the preparation of this information.
has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years
to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as a
preventive against such problems as founder and colic in horses.
Acupuncture is used all over the world. Either by itself or in
conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of maladies
in every species of domestic and exotic animals. Modern veterinary
acupuncturists use solid needles, hypodermic needles, bleeding
needles, electricity, heat, massage and low power lasers to stimulate
acupuncture points. Acupuncture is not a cure-all, but can work very
well when it is indicated.
For which conditions is acupuncture indicated?
Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those
that involve paralysis, non-infectious inflammation (such as allergies),
and pain. For small animals, the following are some of the general
conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:
Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc pathology
- Skin problems, such as lick granuloma
- Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
- Selected reproductive problems
For large animals, acupuncture is again commonly used for functional
problems. Some of the general conditions where it might be applied
are the following:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as sore backs or downer cow
syndrome - Nervous system problems, such as facial nerve paralysis
- Skin problems, such as allergic dermatitis
- Respiratory problems, such as heaves and “Bleeders”
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as non-surgical colic
- Selected reproductive disorders
In addition, regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports
injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant
to injury. World-class professional and amateur athletes often use
acupuncture as a routine part of their training. If your animals are
involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping, or showing,
acupuncture can help keep them in top physical condition.
How does acupuncture work?
According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result
of an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is believed to
balance this energy and, thereby, assist the body to heal disease.
In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by
affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture
can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulations, relieve muscle
spasm, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one
of body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid).
Although many of acupuncture’s physiological effects have been
studied, many more are still unknown. Further research must be to
discover all of acupuncture’s effects and its proper uses in all
veterinary medicine.
Is acupuncture painful?
For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually
painless. The larger needles necessary for the large animals may
cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. In all
animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most
animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy.
Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensations,
presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can
occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable to some animals.
Is acupuncture safe for animals?
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for
animals when it is administered by a properly-trained veterinarian.
Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s
condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after treatment. Other
animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after
acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological
changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an
improvement in the animal’s condition.
How long do acupuncture treatments last and how often are
they given?
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the
condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by
the veterinary acupuncturist. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture
point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A
simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one
treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several
or several dozen treatments.
When multiple treatments are necessary, they usually begin intensively
and are tapered to maximum efficiency. Patients often start with 1-3
treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually
seen after the first to third treatments. Once a maximum positive
response is achieved (usually after 4-8 treatments), treatments are
tapered off so that the greatest amount of symptom free time elapses
between them. Many animals with chronic conditions can taper off to 2-
4 treatments per year.
Animals undergoing athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as
often as twice a week to once a month. The frequency depends on
the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete.
How should I choose an acupuncturist for my animals?
There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary
acupuncturist.
- Your veterinary acupuncturist must be a licensed veterinarian.
- Your veterinary acupuncturist should have formal training in the
practice of acupuncture for animals. (For example, the
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society is the only
accredited certification program for veterinary acupuncturists.)
In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is
considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinaries may
legally administer to animals. A veterinarian is in the best position to
diagnose an animal’s health problem and then determine whether an
animal is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or whether its
problem requires chemical, surgical, or no intervention.
In the USA, the American Veterinary Medical Association considers
veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of
veterinary medicine and surgery, but extensive educational programs
should be undertaken before a veterinarian is considered competent
to practice acupuncture. Ask you veterinarian about their training.
The more veterinarian knows about the traditional Chinese
philosophies and Western scientific basis for acupuncture, the more
sure you can be that your animals will be properly treated.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society gratefully acknowledges the writings of
Richard Panzer, DVM, MS in the preparation of this information.