Whole Health Mobile Pet Care

 Acupuncture is defined as the insertion of needles into specific points (acupoints) on the body. This results in the stimulation of these points to cause a therapeutic homeostatic/healing effect.

   
 Modern research has shown that these acupoints are found in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, small blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.  Acupuncture can stimulate these nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and cause the release of hormones, such as beta-endorphins, serotonin and cortisol resulting in pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects and other beneficial effects.

   
 The main indications for acupuncture are pain and non-infectious inflammation, however it can be used in conjunction with herbals and food therapy for wide variety of other disorders. Below is a list of some of the disorders we treat with acupuncture.   

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or intervertebral disc disease
• Skin problems, such as lick granulomas and allergies
• Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
• Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's and thyroid problems
• Urinary incontinence and cystitis
• Selected reproductive problems 
• Minor sports injuries
• Athletic performance
• Behavioral disorders    
   

While acupuncture is excellent at relieving symptoms associated with certain diseases and rebalancing the body it cannot fix anything physically changed in an animal i.e. mending broken bones.

   
 Treatment duration and frequency 

 
 The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition for which the patient is being treated.  The average amount of time a particular point is stimulated is 15 minutes, however it could be as short as 10 seconds or as long as 30 minutes. Accordingly, the more chronic a problem is, the longer it generally takes to treat. An acute problem, such as a sprain or acute diarrhea, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments such as arthritis, may need many treatments or continuous, maintenance treatment.   

Patients often start with 1-3 treatments per week for about 4-6 weeks depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition.