ACUPUNCTURE FOR PETS

Acupuncture (from lat. Acus, “needle” and pungere, “prick”) is a technique of inserting very fine, pre-sterilised, stainless steel needles into specific points of the body.  The aim is to restore health and well-being.

The practise of acupuncture can be traced as far back as the Stone Age with sharpened stones.  The origin is somewhere in Asia and it played a crucial role in traditional Chinese medicine along with herbal and physical therapies.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The stimulation by the needle will generate many reponses within the animal’s nervous and endocrine system.  Neurotransmitter and “natural painkilling” hormones will be released and these opium-like substances act like morphine in their ability to suppress pain.  They may also produce other beneficial effects throughout the body: increasing circulation, relieving  muscle spasm, stimulating nerves and the body deface system.

Some animals are very responsive to acupuncture and will show dramatic improvement after one treatment.  The vast majority however will respond gradually over a period of time.  On average 4-6 treatments are required.  These are given weekly initially with gradually increasing intervals until the desired effect is achieved.

The frequency of treatments depends on the individual animal’s needs, but regular top-ups are usually required to maintain the therapeutic effect.  The needles are left on place for 10-20 minutes.

Treatable conditions:

• Back pain
• Arthritis
• Hip Dysplasia
• Muscle/ligament strains
• Lick granuloma
• Paralysis
• Chronic gastrointestinal disease
• Immune dysfunction
• Stress related diseases

You can find out more about Acupuncture on the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists website - www.abva.co.uk.

Christian Hatting MRCVS, holds acupuncture clinics at the Pet Doctors Knaphill clinic.  For more details, contact the Knaphill reception on 01483 488008.