How Does Veterinary Acupuncture Work?

​​​​​​​Alternative treatments like acupuncture have become more widely available in human medicine. There’s no wonder why many pet owners seek the same approaches for their furbabies. Acupuncture is a technique that involves piercing the skin with thin needles. These needles are inserted at a precise point or location to produce a healing response. Acupuncture has roots that can be traced to ancient China and is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. So, how does veterinary acupuncture work? Read on to learn more about this treatment.

Understanding Its Mechanism

Veterinary acupuncture belongs to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. The method involves stimulating specific points of your pet’s body using acupuncture needles. These points are found along meridians. Also referred to as channels, meridians act like highways traversing your pet’s body. These channels allow the movement of Qi (pronounced as chee) throughout their body. There are 12 paired meridians. Each paired meridian is connected with a specific organ in the body.

Qi is life energy and an essential concept in Chinese medicine. It’s universal and constantly in a state of flux. In a state of health, you can assume a balance of life energy. In pain or disease, though, there may be deficiency, excess, or stagnation. Ultimately, the goal of veterinary acupuncture is to achieve balance. This is possible by facilitating the harmonious flow of the body’s life energy. Acupuncture stimulates certain points in the body to allow the movement of Qi. This brings harmony and helps the body heal itself.

How Your Pet Can Benefit From Veterinary Acupuncture

As mentioned, veterinary acupuncture induces healing by correcting energy imbalances in the body. The technique enhances blood circulation, oxygenation, as well as elimination of metabolic toxins. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of your pet’s own pain-relieving hormones and anti-inflammatory substances.

The success of acupuncture treatment varies according to several factors. These include the skill of the trained vet and the specific condition your pet has. Another consideration is the length as well as the frequency of the treatment. Generally speaking, a simple acute health issue like a sprain may need one session. But a more severe or chronic condition will likely involve several treatments.

Is It Safe for Pets?

Veterinary acupuncture is one of the safest methods for treating animals. You just have to ensure that a trained vet administers the procedure. It’s rare for side effects to occur once your pet receives the treatment, but they can still happen. Your dog’s or cat’s condition may seem worse for a day or two following treatment. These effects indicate that certain physiological changes are happening. Rest assured that this will be followed by an improvement in your pet’s condition.

It’s also worth noting that acupuncture should never be performed without a proper medical diagnosis from a licensed vet. Similarly, an ongoing assessment of your pet’s health issue should also be done. This is crucial since acupuncture can mask pain or other clinical symptoms, potentially delaying accurate diagnosis once your pet’s treatment starts.

Are you looking for a qualified vet who has the skills to help improve your pet’s health and quality of life? Visit Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center today in Cave Creek, Arizona. Call 480.595.8600 to make an appointment today.