Acupuncture

Animal acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). This form of medicine has been around for thousands of years, and its efficacy has been studied vigorously the past decade with very promising outcomes. In fact, it is so effective in reducing pain that it has been listed as an "illegal therapeutic device" and is prohibited 48h prior to start for race horses. So how does it work? Here is the easy explanation: - It aids in pain relief through the release of endorphins, and by raising the pain threshold - It increases the blood circulation in stagnant areas - It mobilizes mesenchymal stem cells into the circulation and aids in tissue healing - It helps to balance the neuro- endocrine system - It bring the body back to homeostasis Dogs/cats: In certain areas of China, Chinese medicine alone is used to treat all kinds of conditions. We have found it particularly helpful in treating conditions like: - Arthritis and chronic pain - Paralysis and other neurological conditions - Certain cases where conventional medicine is ineffective - Chronic illness in general Horses: In addition to the acupuncture itself, a very useful tool in equine acupuncture is what is called an "acupuncture scan". This means that the practicioner will palpate a variety of acupoints along the meridians of your horse to determine where the area of discomfort is coming from. In a study on 259 horses, an acupuncture scan was done by an experienced acupuncturist, and proved it to be 100% effective in localizing lesions in horses with musculoskeletal and performance issues. Acupuncture in horses has successfully treated a variety of conditions, like: - Laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring) - Pain relief and recovery of laminitis - Musculoskeletal and performance issues - Speed up healing after injury - Diagnosing cases that cannot be confirmed with conventional methods Additionally, there are different types of acupuncture. Some of these include: - Dry needling - Aquapuncture - Electroacupuncture - Moxibustion The practicioner may include some food therapy and Chinese Herbs along with the treatment. How to prepare for my appointment? The carer will be asked a series of questions regarding the animals behaviour, personality and temperature preferences, and should be familiar to answer such, especially if the main guardian will not be present. Dogs and horses used in sports should schedule the acupuncture appointment a minimum of one hour after activity, and get the rest of the day off. We recommend to withstand from vigorous exercise on the day following the treatment, to give the body time to rest and heal. It is important that the animal presents fully dry and clean for their appointments - this includes their extremeties (legs). Especially in horses it is recommended to give the horse proper rest after exercise before starting the appointment. Just like becoming warm can hide certain types of pain and lameness during training, the acupuncture scan can get a "false negative", which means you may get less out of the scan and potentially the treatment.