How does Acupuncture work?
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, originating in Ancient Chinese Culture. It developed from the art of stimulating specific locations on the body to alleviate pain. It works by using needles to stimulate nerve endings in the skin and muscles which trigger the release of substances such as endorphins, serotonin and neurotransmitters. These have an calming effect on the central nervous system , thereby blocking the pain pathways and reducing the pain felt by the patient
How can it help my pet?
In veterinary practice, we can use acupuncture as a useful addition or alternative to conventional veterinary therapy. It can be used for most pets and is relatively well tolerated. It is particularly useful for cases of musculoskeletal pain for example, chronic pain in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Back pain seems to respond particularly well so we can also use it for those who suffer from disc problems, hip dysplasia, spondylosis of the spine and also in our elderly patients where we want to reduce the use of NSAID painkiller drugs in those animals with kidney concerns. It can be used for chronic, acute or post-operative conditions and has also been used for some other conditions including lick granulomas, urinary incontinence and some anxiety disorders.
Acupuncture can be used alongside other therapies without concerns. These include any drug treatments, hydrotherapy, massage and laser therapy. The acupuncture will augment these additional pain relief and relaxation techniques.
What happens in a session?
At the initial consultation, a general examination and history is taken to ascertain how best to treat the pet. Fine needles are then gently inserted into the skin and muscles and manipulated to simulate the nerves. This occurs once weekly for 4 weeks and depending on the response seen, top-up sessions are administered as often as required.
Most insurance companies will cover acupuncture as a complementary procedure
Who does the sessions?
Caroline, a member of our vet team, has been performing acupuncture on pets for over 15 years, she has had good success, especially for those pets suffering from arthritis and back pain.
If you think your pet may benefit from acupuncture, please call our Client Care team who will make an appointment with Caroline to discuss an acupuncture session.