It matters not whether medicine is old or new,
so long as it brings about a cure.
It matters not whether theories are Eastern or Western,
so long as they prove to be true.
Jen-Hsou Lin

Veterinary Acupuncture

Veterinary acupuncture is a centuries old method of treating a variety of ailments in pets. It is now known that acupuncture can affect all major physiologic systems. Acupuncture works by relieving pain, increasing blood flow (thereby promoting healing), relieving muscle spasms, stimulating nerves, and helping to regulate the immune system. Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) address the imbalance of the "whole" animal, not just the treating of a symptom or two.

Acupuncture is performed with sterilized, thin, filamentous needles. Aquapuncture is performed by injecting a substance into acupuncture points. This allows the point(s) to be stimulated until the substance has been absorbed. The substance injected may be saline, B12, or other substance. The certified acupuncturist may also use electro-acupuncture. This consist of running a mild current through the needles that are in place, to break up muscle spasms or blockages of Qi (energy) that may be occurring along a meridian or channel.

Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies available, if practiced by a competent acupuncturist. Side effects are very rare. It enlists the body's own natural mechanisms to aid in the resolution of problems.

Acupuncture is usually performed at one week intervals for the first 3-6 treatments, and then treatments can be spaced out, as the animal's condition improves. Some animals respond extremely well to acupuncture and can gradually have their treatments increased early on, where others may need a few more treatments before extending the treatment intervals.

Acupuncture is not a "one-time-fix", nor is it a "cure-all". Some disease processes will not respond to acupuncture, just as there are some diseases and animals that do not respond to all forms of conventional (Western) medicine. Just as with conventional medicine, the earlier your pet's disease is diagnosed and treated, the quicker and better the response to treatment.

Integrated Medicine is a combination of Eastern and Western philosophies and utilizes both conventional and alternative modalities for diagnosis and treatment. This approach holds a very extensive and powerful medical tool box when in the hands of well trained veterinarians. It "offers the best of all worlds".