On Pins and Needles: The Wonderful World of Veterinary Acupuncture

Modern veterinary medicine is amazing. Animals are living longer than ever before, and sick pets have an incredible number of options for their treatment and care. Organ transplants, immunotherapy for cancer, and advanced orthopedic surgeries are a reality.

At The Bluffs Pet Clinic, it is important to us to bring options to our pet patients. We accomplish this through alternative and complementary treatment modalities like veterinary acupuncture. Keep reading to learn how this type of therapy is helping our veterinary patients.

Acupuncture 101

While it may look like sticking needles haphazardly into an unsuspecting patient, acupuncture is an ancient and intricate technique.

One of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Veterinary acupuncture utilizes the insertion of special needles into the body at very specific locations in order to stimulate strategic points. Acupuncture points are located along the channels that Qi, or energy, is thought to move through within  the body.

Acupuncture aims to correct energy flow imbalances and disharmony that are created due to disease and weakness.

A certified acupuncture clinician, such as our own Dr. Cook, uses their knowledge of acupuncture and other TCVM principles to augment more traditional treatments for pets in need.

Helping Pets Through Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used for a great many purposes in veterinary medicine. Any disease or condition that we can diagnose can be benefited from veterinary acupuncture.

Some of the more common applications include:

• Management of orthopedic disease
• Treatment of nerve injuries and diseases
• Pain relief
• Treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances
• Management of seizure disorders
• Support of healthy organ function
• Treatment of respiratory problems
• Augmentation of immune function
• Treatment of inflammation

Acupuncture is typically well tolerated by our pet patients and offers very few side effects. Adverse reactions are uncommon when the treatments are performed by a professional.

The best part about veterinary acupuncture is that it complements traditional veterinary medicine so well. There is no need to rely on only Western medicine to treat a pet for osteoarthritis. Acupuncture can offer another means of relief that may be even more effective when combined with things like medications, supplements, and physical therapy.

We know how important it is to our pet owners to provide the very best care for their four-legged family members. At The Bluffs Pet Clinic, we are committed to opening doors to our animal patients wherever we can. If you would like to learn more about how acupuncture can help your pet, call us today. We are happy to answer all your questions and get started with a treatment plan, personalized for your best friend.