Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect. This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years to treat many ailments and as preventive medicine. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, disease is the result of an imbalance of energy (“Qi”) in the body. Acupuncture is believed to balance Qi and assist the body to heal disease. In Western terms, acupuncture helps the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes, such as stimulating nerves, increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle spasms and releasing hormones.

Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as paralysis, noninfectious inflammation and pain. Commonly treated conditions in pets include:

•   Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc disease

•   Skin problems, such as lick granulomas and allergies

•   Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma

•   Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea

•   Selected reproductive and autoimmune problems

·        Minor sports injuries

·        Some forms of cancer

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for pets when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. The insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless, and most pets become very relaxed and even sleepy. Treatment causes some sensation, presumed to be like tingles, cramps or numbness and may be uncomfortable to some pets.

Side effects are rare, but they do exist. A pet’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment, or they may be sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are an indication that physiological changes are developing, and they are usually followed by an improvement in the pet’s condition.

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture point may take 10 seconds or up to 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several or several dozen treatments. Multiple treatments usually begin intensively and are tapered to maximum efficiency. Patients often start with 1-2 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first to fourth treatments. Once a maximum positive response is achieved, usually after 4-8 treatments, they are tapered off so that the greatest amount of symptom free time elapses between them. Many pets with chronic conditions have to 2-4 treatments per year. Pets in athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as often as twice a week to once a month, depending on their training and competition schedule.

There are two important criteria to look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:
1. The veterinary acupuncturist must be a licensed veterinarian.
2. The veterinary acupuncturist should have formal training in the practice of acupuncture for animals.

A veterinarian is in the best position to diagnose a pet’s health problem and to determine whether that pet is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or if chemical, surgical, or no intervention is appropriate. The American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, but extensive educational programs should be undertaken before a veterinarian is considered competent to practice acupuncture.

Information courtesy of IVAS