How does acupuncture work?

When your pet is healthy, all of his/her body functions work in harmony, which is considered a state of “balance.” When your pet is ill, this balanced is lost. Acupuncture assists the body’s efforts to heal itself by causing certain physiological changes and bring the body back into a state of balance and equilibrium. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and cause the release of hormones such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) or cortisol (a natural steroid). Acupuncture is known to have a therapeutic effect of a wide variety of diseases in pets. Pain modification is an important application of veterinary acupuncture, but there are much wider applications. Here are some examples of clinical conditions where veterinary acupuncture may be used:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Respiratory problems
• Urinary disorders
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Dermatological problems
• Neurological problems

Acupuncture does not fix your pet nor cure your pet’s disease. What it can do is stimulate the systems of the body to start working normal again. It allows the body to heal itself and restore its normal, healthy functions (balance).

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of a specific point on the body with a specific method, resulting in a therapeutic effect. The specific point on the body is called a Shu-xu or acupoint. The ancient Chinese people discovered 361 acupoints in human beings and 173 acupoints in animals.

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that stimulation of acupoints induce release of beta-endorphin, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.

Acupuncture for pain relief is well supported by these studies. These studies are particularly persuasive in the area of veterinary medicine because animals are incapable of what is commonly known as the placebo effect. As more studies are conducted, the mechanism of action of this ancient therapy will be better understood. What we know now is that it works – especially for pain management.

What are the goals of acupuncture?

There are at least two schools of thought regarding the goals of acupuncture.

According to the first school of thought, the goal of acupuncture is to treat a specific condition, such as pain management, which has historically responded well to the stimulation of acupoints, to achieve a desired symptomatic response, such as the reduction or elimination of pain.

According to a second school of thought, in line with ancient Chinese thinking, the goal is always the same: to restore the flow of Qi and allow homeostasis to return. By restoring the flow of Qi and allowing homeostasis to return, the positive health benefits are realized.

How safe is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Very few side effects have been found in clinical cases.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Proper acupuncture therapy may induce distention and a heavy sensation along with contraction of local muscle. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy. Some animals will fall asleep during acupuncture treatment. Sedation is not recommended before acupuncture treatment because it may interfere with the acupuncture effect.

Who is qualified to perform veterinary acupuncture?

Only licensed veterinarians are eligible to practice acupuncture in North Carolina, like most states in the United States. A certified acupuncture training course is highly recommended before performing veterinary acupuncture.

How long does each treatment last? How many treatments will it take to see results?

Each acupuncture session includes a full Traditional Chinese Medicine exam and treatment. Each session may take 20 to 60 minutes. Mild and short-term problems may be cured with a few weekly sessions, while chronic or severe conditions may necessitate ongoing treatment. Frequency of treatment is dictated by the individual condition. Most patients start with weekly treatments that then decrease in frequency as the patient begins to heal.