ACUPUNCTURE
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. In recent decades, veterinarians have started utilizing this modality for pets.
What’s involved in the procedure?
Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points where they have an affect on the particular nerves in that location. Stimulation of these specific nerves can trigger a healing response in the nervous system, and therefore all the tissues that nerve feeds. This increase in nerve activity can help heal the nervous system, which should help decrease pain and inflammation.
How Many Treatments will my Pet Need?
Each pet is different. Some benefit from a couple of sessions, and some require ongoing care. It all depends on what we are treating, how old your pet is, and how advanced their disease process is.
The treatment plan for your pet will be discussed at the first visit. As your pet progresses throughout the treatment plan, it may need to be altered, based on your pet’s individual response.
Does Acupuncture Even Work?
Acupuncture has been a type of medical treatment for thousands of years, one would think that if it didn’t work….people would have given up on it a long time ago!
There are several ongoing studies to show how well acupuncture works, for those that like the scientific data. These studies have focused more so on treatments for pain, orthopedic issues and liver conditions. Acupuncture is also commonly used to alleviate side effects caused by chemotherapy treatments like nausea and regulating the immune system.
Acupuncture can be used as part of a treatment plan to address anxiety in pets. This is best combined with dietary changes and behavior modification techniques.
Are There Any Risks?
While the risk is very low, it is not the answer for every patient. Some pets, just like some people, just don’t like needles. Most pets do not even notice the needles being placed, and often times they relax into the treatment. However, every once in awhile, there is a pet that resists the needles. In cases like this, alternatives to acupuncture for their treatment plan should be considered.
Look For a Certified Medical Veterinary Acupuncturist
Be sure that the acupuncturist has been trained to treat animals. Dr. Miller has completed the Medical Acupuncture course through CoraCORE in Colorado, in 2018