Acupuncture is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has become increasingly popular, and with many health insurance policies now covering the modality it has also become accepted as a viable medical option in human medicine.
With increasing awareness of the benefits of acupuncture, people seek out acupuncture for their four-legged friends as well. Veterinary acupuncture is being widely integrated into both large andsmall animal practice all over the world.
It is not new however as the ancient Chinese practiced acupuncture and mapped out acupuncture points on animals as well as people. Acupuncture has been used in humans and animals for over 3,000 years, and has been considered a valid modality and good adjunctive therapy for many conditions.
How does Acupuncture work?
There are two main theories regarding how acupuncture actually works. There is much debate between people who ascribe to differing theories, however neither are easily studied and therefore have not been scientifically proven. I would like to briefly describe the basis of each theory because even though there is debate with regards to how acupuncture works, opposing sides will agree that it can be very helpful when treating the patient as a whole.
Both theories utilize small, sterile needles inserted into specific areas of the body to stimulate a predetermined acupoint in the skin. Most acupoints run along meridians (or channels) that course over the patient’s body, other acupoints have also been mapped out.
Some meridians have been named after various organs in the body, for example Liver, Small Intestine, and Bladder, and others have been named after TCM tradition such as Governing Vessel.
During a treatment, groups of points are stimulated to have an effect on the patient’s own physiological properties to encourage ‘homeostasis’ or ‘balance’. The difference lies in how this actually works.
TCM believes that Qi (Chi) or life energy flows within the meridians, and by accessing Qi through acupoints we are normalizing stagnant Qi and bringing it back into balance. Western thought believes that by stimulating points we are accessing micro-sized nerve bundles and creating micro-trauma to the area. This, in turn, sets off a cascade of neurotransmitters that enter the bloodstream to enhance the body’s own healing mechanisms. It has been shown that many of the acupoints ancient Chinese practitioners identified do correlate with areas on the body where there is decreased electrical resistance and an increased number of capillary and nerve endings.
Is Acupuncture safe?
In the United States veterinary acupuncture must be performed by a licensed veterinarian and it is currently illegal for non-veterinarians to provide the treatment. A sound understanding of anatomy, physiology, and disease mechanisms is required.
There are three certification courses providing many hours of specialized continuing education to a veterinarian who would like to incorporate acupuncture into their practice. A veterinarian who has completed one of these courses can be distinguished by the suffix CVA- Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.
Because acupuncture balances the body’s own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications and side effects are very rare.
Is Acupuncture painful? How will my pet react?
Although virtually painless, there may be some mild discomfort upon insertion of the needle. Humans describe this as a tiny pin prick or dull sensation. Once the needle is in place there should be no pain. Most patients become quite relaxed and often sleepy during the treatment. Humans describe it as calming and relaxing, and even many animals will fall asleep during the treatment. During the first few sessions the animal may not relax fully, but usually do after subsequent treatments.
How often will my pet need treatments?
Acupuncture has a cumulative effect and is usually performed once to twice a week for 4-8 treatments initially. A simple acute problem such as a sprain may only need one treatment, whereas chronic conditions may require 3-8 treatments to obtain a maximum response.
Most patients will start to show improvement within the second or third treatments. Once the desirable effect is maintained or reaches a threshold of improvement treatments are tapered according to the patient’s response- typically 2-6 treatments a year for ongoing conditions.
What conditions can Acupuncture be helpful for?
Acupuncture is not a miracle cure, but in combination with other therapies it can be helpful in treating the following diseases:
Musculoskeletal
- chronic pain, arthritis, pain from hip dysplasia, intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), post-operative orthopedic surgery, muscle spasms
Neurologic
- IVDD, paresis (weakness), epilepsy, post-operative back surgery, nerve disorders (facial nerve paralysis), nerve-related pain
Gastrointestinal
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic constipation or diarrhea, megacolon, decreased appetite
Urinary
- incontinence, chronic kidney insufficiency (improvement of quality of life), cystitis, spraying/ inappropriate urination Skin o lick granuloma, allergic dermatitis and otitis, assistance in wound healing
Miscellaneous
- KCS (dry eye), feline asthma, cancer pain and chemotherapy- related side effects, anxiety
How do I find a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist?
Many referrals come from word of mouth, and with more and more veterinarians becoming certified in acupuncture you may be surprised to find that your own veterinary practice offers acupuncture.
If not, you can visit the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society’s webpage or the search Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians where you can search for availability in your area.
Dr. Maryam Salt earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honors from Washington State University. She then completed an internship at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. She earned her B.S. in Zoology and Anthropology from the University of Washington. In 2010 Dr. Salt also completed Certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture through Colorado State University.
Her professional interests include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, geriatric pet care, and pain management. She also enjoys volunteerism in the veterinary field locally and spent time in the South helping the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Dr. Salt lives in North Seattle with two Basset Hounds (Henry and Cooper), a mixed breed dog (Mugsie), an Old Dog Haven foster dog (Granny Franny) and Ollie the cat. In her free time she enjoys swimming, hiking, camping, jewelry making, photography, and spending time with friends.