Acupuncture has been practised by the Chinese and other Eastern cultures for thousands of years.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been practised by the Chinese and other Eastern cultures for thousands of years. It involves placing thin needles in specific places and using the bodies own healing process for the benefit of our patients.
There are two kinds of acupuncture
Eastern acupuncture – involves needling special points around the body usually focusing around meridians (lines of energy that run around the body to encourage healing and wellbeing)
Western Acupuncture – more focused on needling trigger points in muscle bodies that can be a source of pain and also indicate potential miss use of muscles.
It also stimulates the release of pain relieving chemicals in the brain and spinal cord such as beta-endorphins, which result in exceptional levels of pain relief.
What kinds of conditions are treated with acupuncture?
Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with arthritis, but also muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the spine. Other kinds of pain may also respond.
Functional conditions such as constipation in cats and irritable bowel type problems in dogs may also respond.
Will it hurt my pet?
Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment. Often they appear to look forward to the next treatment when they come back to the practice.
How often would my pet be treated?
Treatments take about 20-30 minutes and usually occur weekly for the first 3-6 weeks and the interval between treatments will be extended looking at how the animal copes during these intervals stretching as far as we can between them as possible.
Want to know more? Give Ed a ring at the practice on 01937 228780 and he will be very happy to answer any questions you may have
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