Acupuncture for dogs and other pets is becoming more mainstream. Often thought of as a treatment for pain, veterinary acupuncture is being used successfully to treat other conditions as well. Certain cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders respond well to this type of treatment. Canine acupuncture is safe, non-toxic and non-invasive.
According to animal acupuncture practitioners, many traditional veterinarians recommend acupuncture as an adjunct therapy for patients with inoperable tumors, neurologic problems, chronic wounds and chronic pain.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Typical treatments last about 20 minutes. Fine needles are inserted into various points on the animal's body. According to traditional eastern medicine, acupuncture rebalances the flow of energy that moves along 12 main meridians in the body. Western medicine suggests that most of the main acupuncture points center along clusters of nerves and blood vessels and stimulation of these points causes the beneficial effects.
In either case, acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow and improve immune function, making it an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medications and surgery.
Qualified veterinary acupuncturists are available at many traditional clinics, and availability continues to increase. Speak to your veterinarian about using acupuncture as an adjunct to traditional treatments.