What
is Acupuncture
Acupuncture
is one of a variety of therapies that we might use to treat your pet.
Its stands for:
acus- needle
punctura- puncture
Dr. Seto is using her own
hand to demonstrate how painless the needles are. She has a special
interest animal acupuncture.
According
to Chinese philosophy disease is an imbalance of engery in the body.
Acupuncture rectifies this imbalance, therefore, correcting the
flow of energy
on the body (chi).
It
is the stimulation of specific points on the body which have the
ability to alter the physiology of your pet. It is a means of helping
the body heal itself. Acupuncture has been used successfully for 4000
years on animals and humans alike. And, it is the treatment of choice
for one quarter of the world's people for many problems.
Acupuncture
bridges the gap between medicine and surgery. In the western world it
is used primarily when medications are not working or are
contraindicated . It is also used when surgery is not feasible. In
contrast, in China it is used as the primary treatment.
In
small animals acupuncture is used for musculoskeletal problems
like hip dysplasia, arthritis, and disk disease. It is used for skin problems like lick granulomas, nerved
disorders, respiratory problems like feline asthma, and various other
ailments.
How
does Acupuncture work
Acupuncture
works by stimulating the central nervous system. This has significant
impact on the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems.
How it works depends on what condition is being treated and which
acupuncture points are being used. It relieves pain, increases
circulation, and stimulates release of neurotransmitters and
neurohormones. The endorphins that are released are natural pain
killers, and muscle spasms are relieved while the defense system is
stimulated.
It is performed with
sterilized thin stainless steel needles. The needle penetrates the skin
rapidly with minimal sensation. The endorphins released by needling can
cause the patient to relax and sometimes fall asleep during the
treatment or later at home. In some cases the patient's symptoms may
appear worse for a short time after treatment, then improve a few hours
later, and by the next day at the latest.
Acupuncture is one of the
safest treatment modalities available, especially in comparison to
drugs. Side effects are rare.
Treatment may last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, depending of course
upon the condition treated and the method employed. Patients are often
treated 1-3 times per week for a total of 4-6 weeks. A positive
response is often noticed within the first 4-6 treatments.
