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AcupunctureAcupuncture may be defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body with a specific method, resulting in a therapeutic homeostatic method. Acupuncture involves the placement of tiny, sterile needles into precise locations in order to stimulate reparative processes. Acupuncture is a medical therapy with a long history, dating back to the ancient Chinese in the 2nd century BC. More recently, it has been thoroughly researched and adopted by conventional medical practitioners in both human and veterinary medicine, as its physiologic mechanisms and effectiveness have been elucidated. The National Institute of Health endorsed the study and continued use of acupuncture therapy in a 1997 consensus statement.
Evaluation and Treatment: Traditional Chinese medicine views each animal as a unique energetic being- not a catalog of symptoms and signs. Before therapy can begin, a Chinese diagnosis is made. This is accomplished through a process of evaluating a patient by observing, touching, listening, and enquiring. The resulting Chinese diagnosis is the basis for planning or prescribing therapy. A simple acupuncture point or group of points is selected to correct a pet’s specific energetic excesses or deficiencies. Once acupuncture prescription or group of points is chosen, therapy can begin. |
Evaluation and Treatment contd:
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There are many ways to stimulate or depress acupuncture points, including sterile needles, pressure, laser light, injection of solutions, low voltage electricity or implementation of gold or silver beads. The most commonly used technique being the use of very thin, sterile, solid needles. The application of needles is relatively non-painful. There is a prick of the skin at the onset and then the sensation of energy or heat flowing.
The majority of patients go through a typical sequence of responses during a treatment. At the onset they may be apprehensive, followed by a deep, almost sedative relaxation. As the treatment is coming to an end they may become slightly uncomfortable. Then, the needles are removed. The treatment session may last from 10 to 30 minutes. Depending on the treatment intensity, the patient may be tired for a day or two. Excessive exercise following treatment is not recommended. The frequency of treatments and the duration of time between sessions depends on the pet. As mentioned before, each animal is a unique being and will heal at different rates and tolerate the therapy differently. Therefore, each set of acupunctured points, as well as the frequency and duration of treatments, is developed for each patient. Average therapy consists of 5 to 10 treatments separated by 7 to 30 days. |
How does acupuncture work? |
As medical research has become more interested in acupuncture therapy, scientific studies have revealed a physiologic mechanism of action, known as “neuromodulation,” which may be more simply translated as “talking to nerves.” As a result of this interface with the nervous system, acupuncture reduces pain and restores the ability or desire to move, facilitates recovery from injury or illness, and bolsters the ability to regain and maintain homeostasis (the body’s natural state of balance and health). The acupuncture needles interact with the connective tissues, vessels, nerves, and local signaling molecules to have both local and systemic effects. These effects include pain relief, release of endorphins, normalizing of overactive “fight or flight” reflexes, and modulation of the immune system. The mechanisms are enormously complex, and acupuncture researchers in the clinical and basic science fields are working furiously to define them more clearly.
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