01/05/2024
Why Acupuncture??
Acupuncture is one aspect of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) that focuses on restoring the energy balance in the body to promote healing.
The technique requires the insertion of fine needles into the dogโs body at specified points, called acupuncture points, where nerves and blood vessels converge. TCVM calls the pattern of these sites' โmeridiansโ, which are believed to be energy channels that transmit energy throughout the dogโs body.
The inserted needles are thought to guide โchiโ or vital energy along the meridians. Placed in these identified points, the needles enhance blood circulation, which improves healing ability. Acupuncture also stimulates the nervous system and increases the release of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances, to reduce a dogโs discomfort.
Acupuncture improves blood flow, which increases oxygen delivery to the tissues and removes waste products more efficiently. Acupuncture can relax muscles where the needle is inserted and elsewhere in the body, relieving pain caused by muscle tension. By stimulating the release of naturally occurring, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory substances, acupuncture may decrease the amount of pain medication needed to treat these dogs.
Most pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs are quite safe, but they may affect organ function, so veterinarians closely monitor organ function through routine laboratory testing to minimize the risk. Veterinarians who practice acupuncture believe it is an effective adjunctive therapy to routine treatments. Acupuncture appears to have no systemic side effects. It may be helpful for dogs who donโt tolerate traditional therapies.
As with most medical protocols, a combination of treatments often provides the best results. Fortunately, acupuncture and medical therapy can be safely used together, which is beneficial when neither method can provide the desired response alone.