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Health can be defined as the balance in an individual’s body as well as the balance between body and mind and between the individual and their environment.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has four main components: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (medical manipulation). Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into discrete and specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect but may include other methods such as electrical stimulation and moxibustion. The point on the body is called the “Shu-Xue” acupuncture point (acupoint). The ancient Chinese discovered 361 acupoints in humans and 173 acupoints in animals.
Acupuncture has been practiced in both animals and humans for thousands of years in China. The earliest veterinary acupuncture book, “Bo Le Zhen Jing” (Bole’s Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture), is believed to have been written by Dr. Bo Le in the Qin-mu-gong period (659 B.C.E. to 621 B.C.E.). Veterinary treatment protocols using acupuncture are well-documented in this textbook. Since then, acupuncture has been a part of the mainstream veterinary medical system in China
Modern research shows that acupoints are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that the stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. The US National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (www.pubmed.gov) has a total of 34,561 research papers regarding acupuncture and 505 animal-specific articles as of February 2021.
Qi (pronounced “chee”) is life force or vital energy. There are two contrasting forms of Qi: Yin and Yang. Yin energy tends to be cool, dark, still, and moving downward, while Yang energy is warm, light, mobile, expanding, and moving upward. Physiologically, Qi flows throughout the body all the time, maintaining a balance of Yin and Yang. When the flow of Qi is interrupted by any pathological factor (such as a viral or bacterial infection), the balance of Yin and Yang will be disrupted and consequently, a disease may occur. Pain is interpreted as the blockage of Qi flow. Acupuncture stimulation resolves this blockage, freeing the flow of Oi and enabling the body to heal itself. Homeostasis is restored when Yin and Yang Qi are in balance.
A Channel or Meridian is where Oi flows inside the body. There are 12 Regular Channels and 8 Extraordinary Channels. The most commonly used acupuncture points are located along these Channels. Each Regular Channel is related to specific paired organs. The network of Channels is called the Jing-Luo system.
Yes! Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Very few negative effects have been found in clinical cases.
Each session may take 20 to 45 minutes; the first session usually takes longer than follow-up appointments.
Some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally, a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-2 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before one can expect notable improvement.
As in all medicine, this depends on the situation, and treatments can be done daily, weekly, monthly, or even further apart depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition.
Rarely! Acupuncture is not painful because acupuncture points are stimulated using very fine needles, almost as thin as hair. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy. Due to the relaxation effect, some animals will fall asleep during acupuncture treatments. In general, sedation is not needed before an acupuncture treatment.
Only licensed veterinarians are qualified to practice veterinary acupuncture.
Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulation induces the following physiological effects:
Pain relief
Promotion of tissue healing processes
Regulation of gastrointestinal motility Anti-inflammatory effects
Immunoregulation
Hormone and reproductive regulation
Antifebrile effects
Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture therapy can be effective in the following conditions:
1) Musculoskeletal problems: muscle soreness, back pain, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease
2) Neurological disorders: seizures, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), laryngeal hemiplegia, and facial and radial nerve paralysis
3) Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, gastric ulcers, colic, vomiting, constipation, and impactions
4) Other chronic conditions: skin problems, heaves, asthma, cough, uveitis, renal failure, chronic liver diseases, behavioral problems, infertility, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, geriatric weakness, and anhidrosis
5) Quality of life, cancer, and hospice care
6) Performance enhancement and the prevention of disease
