Acupuncture
At Animal Wellness Center, we strive to provide our patients with the best care, treatments, and therapies possible. This includes using a combination of both progressive modern veterinary medicine and traditional, holistic treatments. Our veterinarians are proud to provide pets with acupuncture as a treatment option, symptom management tool, or supplemental therapy for both acute and chronic conditions.
What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to stimulate positive effects within the body. Acupuncture is based on the idea that energy flows through the body by way of the nervous system and pressure points. Stimulating specific points on a patient’s body using acupuncture needles, electricity, or cold laser light can then affect a physiological response. This response has been shown to relieve pain, accelerate healing, and ease symptoms by increasing circulation, stimulating the nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins, and calming muscle spasms.
Is Veterinary Acupuncture Painful?
Veterinary acupuncture for pets involves the use of very small needles. Side effects and sensations that occur in veterinary acupuncture are similar to those that humans experience when receiving acupuncture treatment. Pets might feel a slight, quick poke as needles are inserted. During treatment, most pets become increasingly relaxed and some even fall asleep. Throughout treatment, pets might experience some minor tingling, numbness, or cramping, which humans also experience.
What to Expect During an Animal Chiropractic Appointment
Acupuncture can be used to ease a variety of conditions in pets, especially those involving pain, non-infectious inflammation, and paralysis. Conditions from which acupuncture may provide relief, include the following:
- Musculoskeletal Problems - arthritis, injury, and vertebral disc disease
- Respiratory Problems - asthma and allergies
- Skin Conditions - allergic dermatitis and lick granulomas
- Gastrointestinal Concerns - inflammatory bowl syndrome and diarrhea
How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will My Pet Need?
Most pets seem to experience some immediate relief during and after treatment. The number, frequency, and length of treatments required, however, depends on each individual pet’s condition and response. Some might improve drastically after a few appointments. Other pets, living with chronic conditions, might require ongoing appointments to manage pain and symptoms.
Find Out if Holistic Healing Is Right for Your Pet
If your pet has suffered an injury, has allergies, chronic pain, or other inflammatory conditions, we recommend talking with a veterinarian about natural, non-invasive treatments like acupuncture. Call your local Animal Wellness Center to schedule an appointment today.
