Acupuncture is a healing modality that originated in China and has been used as a therapeutic treatment option for thousands of years. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body is composed of several pathways called “meridians,” along which energy flows. When disease is present, this energy is interrupted and becomes unbalanced. Stimulating acupuncture points along the meridians can restore energy flow, helping the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture involves the specific placement of needles that stimulate neural pathways, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and promote the release of hormones, anti-inflammatories, and other healing substances to the area. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, cause minimal or no pain, and are generally well tolerated by pets.
Since every patient is different, the rate of healing and the number of treatments required to see change can vary. Some owners see progress within a couple of days of the first treatment while others start to see progress after the second or third treatment.
Acupuncture can help with many conditions including but not limited to: osteoarthritis, spondylosis, intervertebral disc disease and cranial cruciate rupture.