ACUPUNCTURE

Despite the fact many of its practices are thousands of years old, Eastern (non-traditional) medicine is becoming more popular today than ever. Acupuncture is one specialized facet of non-traditional medicine that not only entered the mainstream; it’s become a treatment option for our pets.

“The specific origin of acupuncture is uncertain,” said Rodney Bagley, a veterinary neurosurgeon. “No one knows if it originally came from China, Korea, or India but it’s widely held that the Chinese perfected it.”

The specific mechanism of how acupuncture works is uncertain. Theories include stimulation of the release of natural chemicals with in the body or stimulation of neuromechanical mechanisms that diminish pain and promote healing. Local micro-trauma from the needle itself may also play a role.

There are more than 150 acupuncture points on a dog’s body with 50-100 of those points being most commonly used. Overall, acupuncture is based on a principle of restoring balance with in the body.

Veterinary ailments acupuncture is most commonly used for are pain management and diseases of the liver, kidney, and skin. Generally, acupuncture treatments are combined with traditional approaches to healing such as physical therapy or the use of medications.