Acupuncture
Acupuncture therapy for pets is defined as the insertion of needles into specific points (acupoints) on the body, resulting in the stimulation of these points to create a therapeutic homeostatic or healing effect.
Modern research has shown that these acupoints are located in areas with a high density of free nerve endings, small blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Animal acupuncture can effectively stimulate these nerves, enhance blood circulation, alleviate muscle spasms, and trigger the release of hormones such as beta-endorphins, serotonin, and cortisol, leading to pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and various other beneficial outcomes.
While the main indications for veterinary acupuncture are pain and non-infectious inflammation, it can also be combined with herbal and food therapy to address a wide variety of disorders. Below is a list of some conditions treated with acupuncture therapy for pets:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or intervertebral disc disease
- Skin issues, including lick granulomas and allergies
- Respiratory conditions, like feline asthma
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
- Endocrine disorders, including Cushing's and thyroid issues
- Urinary incontinence and cystitis
- Selected reproductive problems
- Minor sports injuries
- Athletic performance enhancements
- Behavioral disorders
Although acupuncture therapy for pets is excellent at alleviating symptoms associated with certain diseases and rebalancing the body, it cannot physically mend changes in an animal, such as broken bones.
**Treatment Duration and Frequency**
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depend on the condition being treated. Typically, the duration of stimulation at a specific acupoint averages around 15 minutes, but it can range from as short as 10 seconds to as long as 30 minutes. Generally, the more chronic a condition is, the longer it takes to treat. For instance, an acute issue like a sprain or acute diarrhea may need only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments like arthritis may require multiple sessions or ongoing maintenance treatment.
Typically, patients begin with 1-3 treatments per week for approximately 4-6 weeks, based on the severity and chronicity of the condition.
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