Acupuncture

What is Integrated Veterinary Medicine? Why are people searching for an Integrated Veterinarian?

While it’s quite well-known that acupuncture can help alleviate the ailments of many humans, few people understand what acupuncture can do for animals as a complimentary or an integrated veterinary service. Veterinary acupuncture is a medical option that can help restore your animals’ health and ease pain.

What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture (TCVM) has been practiced in China for at least 2,500 years. Interest and activity spread to other Asian countries including Japan and Korea about 1,500 years ago. During the past 25 to 30 years, there has been tremendous growth and development of veterinary acupuncture in Europe and the United States.  Acupuncture has been used for treatment of diseases in horses, cattle, dogs, and cats.

Acupuncture may be defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body referred to as an “acupoint.” Physiological changes in response to acupuncture point stimulation is the basis of clinical treatment.

Some of these responses include release of endogenous opioids, immune system stimulation, blood pressure regulation and body temperature regulation. Thus, many techniques have been developed to stimulate “acupoints” such as dry-needle, moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, hemo-acupuncture, acu-pressure, and pneumo-acupuncture. the stimulation of a specific point on the body referred to as an “acupoint.” Physiological changes in response to acupuncture point stimulation is the basis of clinical treatment.

TCVM for lumbar pain and allergies 

A digital radiograph of spinal column degenerative disease 

A dog with a degenerative spinal cord disease. Herbal medicine & acupuncture treatment

Some painful circumstances calling for TCVM include:

• Arthritis: stiffness or inflammation of joints
• Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD): advanced arthritis (osteoarthritis)
• General trauma
  • Muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
  • Sprains and strains
  • Ulcerations and open wounds
  • Post-surgical and soft tissue trauma
  • Cancer: tissue inflammation and pain
  • Metabolic Disease: variety of organ failures leading to lack of energy and/or appetite
  • Hip dysplasia: abnormal hip socket formation potentially leading to arthritis
  • Back and neck pain: chronic or event-induced pain
  • Skin problems: infections and sensitivity
  • Urinary tract disorders
  • Neuromuscular disease: affects peripheral nervous system (nerves around brain and spinal cord)

How does Acupuncture heal animals?

The way acupuncture works is quite interesting.  TCVM can be accomplished by pressing, heating or needling sensitive body parts, allow the body to release pain on its own. Acupuncture triggers the release of pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory hormones, as well as positive neurochemicals like endorphins.

Another aspect of acupuncture is that it helps to ease the flow of positive energy through the body. Chinese philosophy states that this flow can sometimes become blocked, causing pain or illness. By stimulating the body’s pressure points, you can unblock the energy, returning it to its rightful healthy and balanced state.