What is Acupuncture for Dogs?
Acupuncture for dogs is an alternative treatment option that in which a veterinarian inserts extremely fine needles into the skin to stimulate spots on the body and induce a therapeutic response. Acupuncture involves inserting small needles into the body of a dog at certain areas called acupuncture sites, where nerves and blood arteries meet. These points are found in meridians, which are energy channels that carry energy throughout the body of a dog.
Acupuncture has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for thousands of years. Acupuncture is claimed to restore the normal flow of qi (energy channels) through the body in traditional Chinese medicine. It is assumed to operate in Western medicine by activating neuronal and hormonal pathways, causing hormones to be released and pain and inflammation to be reduced. Acupuncture, according to Western ideas, stimulates the nerve system, enhances circulation, and produces pain-relieving endorphins.
What Does Acupuncture Treat in Dogs?
In Chinese medicine, acupuncture offers the best possible solution for pain and a variety of other illnesses. Acupuncture is used to treat functional issues such as paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (allergies, for example), and discomfort. The following are some of the common problems that may be addressed with acupuncture in dogs:
- Arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, and traumatic nerve damage are all examples of musculoskeletal issues.
- Problems with the lungs, like asthma
- Skin conditions such as lick granulomas and allergic dermatitis
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea
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Acupuncture’s physiological effects have been studies however there are still many unknowns. More research is being done on the effects of acupuncture and how it should be used in veterinary health.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
In acupuncture, needles are inserted through bundles of nerves into the body tissue, where blood vessels converge. Acupuncture improves blood circulation to the nervous system by stimulating and releasing anti-inflammatory and analgesic hormones. Applying pressure to the acupuncture point at the selected effect is comparable to inserting needles.
The technique requires inserting a fine needle into the dog’s body at certain points, called acupuncture points, where nerves and blood vessels converge. These points are located at so-called meridians, where energy channels transmit energy throughout the dog’s body.
Fine needles improve the blood circulation and improve the ability to heal by placing specific points (so-called acupuncture points) where nerves and blood vessels meet. When needles are inserted into the 365 most important acupuncture points, nerve impulses are created and connected to the brain, where endorphins are released. It is in this action that endorphin occurs that acupuncture in dogs exerts its basic mechanisms of action, which include pain control, dilation of blood vessels, and increased oxygen and nutrient supply to various tissues, muscles, and joints.
Is Acupuncture Safe for Dogs?
When delivered by a highly educated veterinarian, acupuncture is one of the safest kinds of medical therapy for animals. Acupuncture side effects are uncommon, although they do exist. For up to 48 hours following a therapy, an animal’s health may appear to be worse. For the next 24 hours, other animals grow drowsy or sleepy. These effects are usually followed by an improvement in the animal’s health, and they indicate that certain physiological changes are occurring.
Unlike prescription or over-the-counter pain medications, veterinary acupuncture lacks the potential for undesirable side effects on the internal organs of your pets. Your pet’s medications and supplements do not interact with veterinary acupuncture treatments, and it can be used to treat a variety of diseases.
Acupuncture should never be performed on animals without first getting a proper veterinary medical diagnosis and having a professional veterinarian monitor the condition of the patient on a regular basis. This is important since acupuncture has the potential to hide pain or other clinical indicators, delaying correct veterinary medical diagnosis once therapy has started. Pain relief may lead to greater activity on the part of the animal, delaying recovery or worsening the initial ailment.
Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with a wide range of conventional and complementary therapies. Certified Veterinary Acupuncturists have received extensive training, knowledge, and expertise in order to comprehend the relationships between various types of treatment and to interpret the patient’s reaction to therapy. Veterinary acupuncture is a legitimate technique in the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Is Acupuncture Effective?
Acupuncture has been proven to have positive benefits in human patients, making it a more common treatment nowadays. Similarly, the procedure is getting more and more traction in veterinary care. It can be difficult to guage the instant effictiveness in pets due to their incapacity to speak. Furthermore, most patients may require many weeks of sessions before their condition improves noticeably, making it difficult to assess progress. Acupuncture, on the other hand, has been shown to be just as successful in relieving pain in animals as it is in humans over time.
Acupuncture’s benefits continue as long as the treatment is sustained in the form of weekly follow-up visits to keep discomfort at bay. In addition, the dog should preferably be undergoing a supplemental physiotherapy program in order to correct their condition, rather than depending just on acupuncture.
How Do I Get Started With Acupuncture for My Dog?
In order to find an acupuncturist, you can ask your veterinarian for a referral or visit the website of International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. The School of Certified Veterinarians for Acupuncture has a list of doctors on its website or you can find an acupuncturist through our specialist directory. Research the practitioners you find online to learn more about their experiences and visit links to their acupuncture schools. There are over 150,000 qualified veterinary acupuncturists in the United States, so finding one close by is typically not a problem.
What Happens During a Canine Acupuncture Session?
A general medical examination is performed on the initial appointment with a veterinary acupuncturist. The acupuncturist will get medical records from the dog’s primary care veterinarian, which will include a history of the dog’s ailment. To ensure that the acupuncturist is completely informed, lab tests, radiographs, and current medical therapy will be noted. The veterinary acupuncturist will do his own physical assessment, discuss treatment alternatives, and explain how an acupuncture session works.
The actual session may last 20-30 minutes, depending on the conditions treated. The doctor lays out a treatment plan that might include one to three weekly appointments over several weeks. As the dog improves, the number of sessions is often reduced, and visits are arranged less often.
Because the benefits of acupuncture therapy build up over time, repeat sessions are beneficial, but the objective is to obtain the highest degree of improvement and maintain it with the fewest treatments possible. Acupuncture has few negative effects, however some dogs may feel painful or stiff after a treatment session, while others may seem weary. These symptoms normally go away after 24 to 48 hours.
How Much Does Acupuncute for Dogs Cost?
Acupuncture therapy can cost anywhere between $60 and $300 depending on a few factors such as the dog’s personality, their ailment/condition.
