ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses needles in specific key points of the body to decrease pain and regulate organ function. These points are located on lines, or “meridians”, which are organized according to the foundational body systems as outlined in the TCM system of medicine. Depending on the acupuncturist, acupuncture may involve various techniques. Dry needling is the use of acupuncture needles alone, whereas aquapuncture involves injecting a liquid (usually Vitamin B12) into the point for longer stimulation. Electroacupuncture uses a current across two or more needles to increase stimulation of the meridians. Some professionals even provide specialized services such as acupuncture bead implantation for permanent stimulation of a specific point, or hemoacupuncture where blood is drawn from the patient and inserted into specific points.
WHAT IS
ACUPUNCTURE ?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
From a TCM standpoint, acupuncture regulates the flow of Qi, which is the life force and energy of the body, along with other forces within the body such as Cold (Yin), Heat (Yang), and others. These forces should all be present in balance, and Qi should flow through the body in a smooth and regular pattern. When the flow of Qi is disrupted or any of these factors are out of balance, patterns of illness arise. Acupuncture helps to bring Qi back into a normal flow and rebalance the other forces of the body.
Some of the specific functions of acupuncture are well understood from a Western, scientific standpoint, but many are still unclear. The most well-researched function of acupuncture is in the regulation of pain. We know that acupuncture results in increased production of mediators that decrease pain, such as opioids and enkephalins. We also know that acupuncture decreases the sensitivity of pain receptors that have become more sensitive to chronic pain. However, acupuncture also has many other effects that we do not completely understand scientifically.
WHAT CONDITIONS
CAN IT HELP ?
Acupuncture is a great tool for pain management – animals with chronic pain and arthritis, or those recovering from injury can benefit significantly. It can also help with other conditions involving dysregulation of bodily functions, such as immune function, nerve dysfunction, chronic diarrhea, incontinence, and fertility issues. However, results for these conditions are not as reliable since we don’t fully understand how acupuncture regulates these functions.
HOW LONG DO SESSIONS
LAST ?
Sessions for acupuncture alone typically last 30-45 minutes. The needles remain in for 10-30 minutes depending on the individual animal and their response. It can be done with other treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, although it is important to be more conservative with the amount of acupuncture stimulation when used along with other treatments.
Can it be done with other treatments?
WHAT IF HORSES DON'T
LIKE NEEDLES ?
It depends on the horse. Some horses that are needle reactive will still tolerate acupuncture as it is a different kind of stimulation. Some horses may only tolerate a few needles, and some may not mind them at all. Some will not tolerate acupuncture stimulation at all. Sedation for acupuncture treatment is not recommended as the sedation will make it much less effective.