Acupuncture in Practice

Veterinary Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is part of the traditional Chinese medical tradition. It seeks to balance the flow of energy through the body harmoniously. Disease is the result of blockages of the circulation of energy. Acupuncture addresses these blocks. Stimulating carefully selected points on any of the body's energy meridians stimulates energy flow.

Western Explanation

Stimulating the skin at certain points stimulates the nerves supplying that area. This induces biochemical and nervous changs in the spinal cord controlling that area, be it the hip or, say, the bladder. These immediate changes bring about more long-lasting changes in the neurotransmitter environment at that segment of the cord.

This changes the afferent was the spincal cord, a part of the brain, controls healing at that part of the body. Acupuncture points are chosen as they stimulate the cord in such a was to induce a healing response.

For Needle-shy Animals...

I use traditional acupuncture needles. For animals that are intolerant of needles I can use a handheld Photonic Therapy unit. It is a large pen-like instrument housing six focused LEDs to produce the therapeutic light stimulus - acupuncture without the needles! I find that horses, cats and dogs respond very well to this painless,s non penetrating method.

Needles

The needles I use are ultra-fine single use, sterile Japanese Acupuncture needles. As you can see on the photograph, they are only a hair's breadth wide, and yet are very strong, but flexible.

Treatments are 10-15 minutes while the needles remain in place in the skin. animals often feel very relaxed and sedated and will fall asleep!

(See the image at the bottom of the page)

Conditions I have treated using this method include:

Horses

• Stiffness in neck, back or legs
• Cold backed
• Kissing Spines
• Sinusitis - Nasal Discharge
• Hip pain
• Hock pain/Spavins
• Stimulate wound healing
• Lameness of unknown orign
• Any chronic (long-standing) musculoskeletal problem
• 'Never lies down'
• Chiropractic/Osteopathy won't hold

Dogs

• Neck, back, hip, stifle or elbow pain eg arthritis
• Back problems in Dachsies
• Incontinence in bitches
• Lameness of unknown origin.
• Any chronic (long-standing) musculoskeletal problem

Lucy, a 4 year-old ex-greyhound, came to me with bad arthritis in her wrists on her front legs.

After four sessions of acupuncture (in which she just dozed off with the needles in as many do!) she was much much improved and could run and stop almost as normal.

Cats

• Neck, back, hip, stifle or elbow pain eg arthritis
• Incontinence
• Lameness of unknown origin.
• Any chronic (long-standing) musculoskeletal problem

• NB - Cats are often more tolerant of needling than you would imagine!