VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE
By Rachel Bourne, DVM

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique that has been used in China for at least 3000 years to treat many different conditions. During an acupuncture treatment, needles are placed at desired locations in the body (acupuncture points), to cause a desired healing effect. Today, acupuncture is being used all over the world both by itself and in conjunction with western medicine, to treat many different problems and as a preventative health care program in both small and large animals.

How does acupuncture work?

In western terms, acupuncture stimulates nerve impulses that travel via the spinal cord to the brain and causes release of many different chemicals such as endorphins, muscle relaxants and histamines that promote healing and pain relief in the body. In Eastern terms, disease is the result of an imbalance in energy (Qi) flow in the body. Acupuncture works to promote better energy flow that enables the body to heal.

For what conditions can acupuncture be used?

Acupuncture can potentially be used for all problems in animals. In horses, acupuncture is used most commonly for musculo-skeletal conditions such as sore backs, lameness conditions and neck pain. Other common reasons for using acupuncture in horses are neurological conditions (e.g. Nerve paralysis), respiratory problems (e.g. Heaves and bleeders), gastrointestinal conditions (e.g. colic, ulcers) and other disorders. Many horse owners will use acupuncture as a routine part of training to try and prevent sports injuries.

Are there any side effects of acupuncture?

Acupuncture is probably one of the safest treatment modalities available. The clinical signs in some animals may get worse after treatment. Usually if another couple of treatments is performed the condition then gets better. Other animals may become really sleepy and lethargic following treatment due to the release of chemicals such as endorphins.

How often do acupuncture treatments need to be performed?

This is highly variable depending on the condition you are treating. Obviously conditions that have been going on for months to years will not be fixed in one treatment, whereas sudden onset conditions may resolve much more quickly. When several treatments are required one may start by treating every few days or every week and gradually decrease the treatment frequency over time. Positive responses are usually observed after 1-3 treatments and once the maximum response is seen treatments may need to be performed as little as 2-4 times per year.

How do I find out more about acupuncture?

You can call around to local veterinarians to find someone in the area that performs acupuncture. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society is the only accredited certification program for veterinary acupuncturists and this organization can also help you find certified acupuncture practitioners. If acupuncture is a modality you would like to explore you must discuss it with your regular veterinarian first and then have them refer you to a veterinary acupuncturist.