Longtime acupuncture recipient, ‘Rio’, relaxing during his latest acupuncture session at home. It’s not uncommon for pets to even fall asleep during their treatments.
What is Veterinary medical Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a medical therapy that typically involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles along specific points on the body These specific points act as a stimuli to nerve fibers to initiate nerve signaling between the peripheral and central nervous system and or autonomic nervous system (which generally controls organ function). These points may also include musculoskeletal trigger points that when activated will cause a release in muscular and fascial tension.
There are two different forms of veterinary acupuncture performed today. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture or Veterinary Medical (MAV) acupuncture. The main difference between these two practices is that medical veterinary acupuncture looks at the ‘channels’ and ‘meridians’ used in TCM and applies these concepts to what we know about current anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Not surprisingly, but many of the TCM channels run along major nerve/blood vessel bundles along the body. Dr. Shelley received her certification from OneHealthSIM, now known as Curacure, and has been performing medical veterinary acupuncture for several years.
Since acupuncture stimulates the central, peripheral, and autonomous nervous systems, it can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, most commonly including;
Digestive issues: nausea, motility concerns, appetite, etc
Neurologic issues: spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury, intervertebral disc disease, or other various neuropathies.
Musculoskeletal issues: osteoarthritis, tendinitis, acute or chronic soft tissue pain/inflammation, post-operative pain management.
Veterinary acupuncture is a mainstay of rehabilitation management and is typically introduced at the initial consultation visit. Acupuncture is generally well tolerated by most pets, but there are some that do not tolerate the needle placement at all. In those cases, Dr. Shelley can discuss alternative options to achieve the similar results as needle placement. The goal with acupuncture therapy is to have a relaxing, calm session that your pet enjoys to reap the most benefits from this type of therapy. For rehabilitation purposes, Dr. Shelley focuses mostly on neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions, but can be performed for other conditions from anxiety to reproduction to other non-musculoskeletal types of inflammation.
Some links for more information about acupuncture and its effectiveness:
2) Electroacupuncture therapy in inflammation regulation: current perspectives