What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a method of health care with roots in ancient China. Its techniques have been developed and refined through at least 3000 years of continuous use. Acupuncture today is recognized throughout the world as a safe and effective form of medicine which requires extensive training for its proper practice.
How Acupuncture works: Science has learned much about how and why acupuncture works. Research has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of many canine, feline, and equine diseases. We know that acupuncture points an be located by measuring the electrical potential of the skin. We know needling non-acupuncture points does not produce the healing effects of acupuncture. The meridians are generally found along the courses of nerve and blood vessels, and the acupuncture points are associated with certain types of nerve endings.
The stimulation of nerve endings by the needles creates a set of responses in the body which are unique to acupuncture. Acupuncture prompts the productions of neurochemicals called endorphins by the brain, and the release of hormones including cortisol by the pituitary and other glands. These substances are part of the body's own defenses against pain and inflammation.
Tradition states that acupuncture works by adjusting the flow of vital energy in the body. This energy, called "Qi" (pronounced "chee") flows through channels called meridians, and it is on these 14 meridians that the 365+ acupuncture points are located. The meridians and their branches form a network which unites and relates all the body's organs and functions. Disease is seen as a disruption in the movement of Qi. By stimulating the acupuncture points that are in or associated with the affected areas or functions, we can restore balance and resolve the disease.
Evaluation and Treatment: Traditional medicine views each animal as a unique and energetic being - not a catalog of symptoms and signs. The health of an animal is considered a landscape, with good health being a beautiful and harmonious landscape and poor health being an ugly and disrupted landscape.
Before therapy can begin, a Chinese diagnosis is made. This is accomplished through a systematic process of evaluating a patient by observing, touching, listening, and inquiring. The resulting Chinese diagnosis is the basis for planning or prescribing therapy. A simple acupuncture point or group of points is selected to correct a dog's specific energetic excesses or deficiencies. The acupuncture needle acts in effect like an opener and closer of doors or gates-somewhat like locks on a water way. The needle summons or permits (pushes or pulls) energy from one pathway to another. Through this process it is the intention of the acupuncture to correct energetic disturbances and allow the body to govern and regulate itself in a normal manner. The patient, in effect, heals itself, not through palliation or suppression, but by correcting what is fundamentally wrong.
Once the acupuncture prescription or group of points is chosen, therapy can begin. There are many ways to stimulate or depress acupuncture points, including sterile needles, pressure, laser light, injection of solutions, low voltage electricity or implementation of gold or silver beads. The most commonly used technique being the use of very thin, sterile, solid Chinese needles. The application of the needles is relatively non-painful. There is a prick of the skin at the onset and then the sensation of energy or heat flowing.
The majority of dogs, cats and horses go through a typical sequence of responses during treatment. At the onset they may be apprehensive, followed by a deep, almost sedative relaxation. As the treatment is coming to an end, they may become slightly uncomfortable. Then, the needles are removed. Most dogs, cats, and horses tolerate it well and even enjoy it. The treatment session may last from 15-30 minutes. Depending on the treatment intensity, the patient may be fatigued for a day or two. Excessive exercise following a treatment is not recommended.
The frequency of treatments an duration of time between sessions depend on the animal. As mentioned before, each animal is unique and will heal at different rates and tolerate therapy differently. Therefore each set of acupuncture points, as well as the frequency and duration of treatments, is developed for each patient. Average therapy consists of two to eight treatments separated by 14 to 30 days.
An Educational Resource from Herbsmith Inc. www.herbsmithrx.com
How Acupuncture works: Science has learned much about how and why acupuncture works. Research has proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of many canine, feline, and equine diseases. We know that acupuncture points an be located by measuring the electrical potential of the skin. We know needling non-acupuncture points does not produce the healing effects of acupuncture. The meridians are generally found along the courses of nerve and blood vessels, and the acupuncture points are associated with certain types of nerve endings.
The stimulation of nerve endings by the needles creates a set of responses in the body which are unique to acupuncture. Acupuncture prompts the productions of neurochemicals called endorphins by the brain, and the release of hormones including cortisol by the pituitary and other glands. These substances are part of the body's own defenses against pain and inflammation.
Tradition states that acupuncture works by adjusting the flow of vital energy in the body. This energy, called "Qi" (pronounced "chee") flows through channels called meridians, and it is on these 14 meridians that the 365+ acupuncture points are located. The meridians and their branches form a network which unites and relates all the body's organs and functions. Disease is seen as a disruption in the movement of Qi. By stimulating the acupuncture points that are in or associated with the affected areas or functions, we can restore balance and resolve the disease.
Evaluation and Treatment: Traditional medicine views each animal as a unique and energetic being - not a catalog of symptoms and signs. The health of an animal is considered a landscape, with good health being a beautiful and harmonious landscape and poor health being an ugly and disrupted landscape.
Before therapy can begin, a Chinese diagnosis is made. This is accomplished through a systematic process of evaluating a patient by observing, touching, listening, and inquiring. The resulting Chinese diagnosis is the basis for planning or prescribing therapy. A simple acupuncture point or group of points is selected to correct a dog's specific energetic excesses or deficiencies. The acupuncture needle acts in effect like an opener and closer of doors or gates-somewhat like locks on a water way. The needle summons or permits (pushes or pulls) energy from one pathway to another. Through this process it is the intention of the acupuncture to correct energetic disturbances and allow the body to govern and regulate itself in a normal manner. The patient, in effect, heals itself, not through palliation or suppression, but by correcting what is fundamentally wrong.
Once the acupuncture prescription or group of points is chosen, therapy can begin. There are many ways to stimulate or depress acupuncture points, including sterile needles, pressure, laser light, injection of solutions, low voltage electricity or implementation of gold or silver beads. The most commonly used technique being the use of very thin, sterile, solid Chinese needles. The application of the needles is relatively non-painful. There is a prick of the skin at the onset and then the sensation of energy or heat flowing.
The majority of dogs, cats and horses go through a typical sequence of responses during treatment. At the onset they may be apprehensive, followed by a deep, almost sedative relaxation. As the treatment is coming to an end, they may become slightly uncomfortable. Then, the needles are removed. Most dogs, cats, and horses tolerate it well and even enjoy it. The treatment session may last from 15-30 minutes. Depending on the treatment intensity, the patient may be fatigued for a day or two. Excessive exercise following a treatment is not recommended.
The frequency of treatments an duration of time between sessions depend on the animal. As mentioned before, each animal is unique and will heal at different rates and tolerate therapy differently. Therefore each set of acupuncture points, as well as the frequency and duration of treatments, is developed for each patient. Average therapy consists of two to eight treatments separated by 14 to 30 days.
An Educational Resource from Herbsmith Inc. www.herbsmithrx.com
