What is acupuncture?
What is acupuncture?
Embedded Files
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has four main components: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (medical manipulation).
Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into discrete and specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect, but may include other methods such as electrical stimulation and moxibustion.
The point on the body is called "Shu-xue" or acupuncture point (acupoint). The ancient Chinese discovered 361 acupoints in humans and 173 acupoints in animals.
What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
Horses
Musculoskeletal conditions: soft tissue injuries, arthritis, laminitis, navicular, back pain, etc.
GI conditions: diarrhea, anorexia, can be helpful in gastric ulcer and recurrent colic cases, etc.
Internal medicine: liver disease, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, etc.
Palliative care after diagnosis of cancer
Geriatric support: general support for older animals - muscle conditioning, appetite stimulation, general energy levels, etc.
Small Animals
Musculoskeletal conditions: soft tissue injuries, arthritis, CCL tears, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), etc.
Neurologic conditions: paralysis, paresis, seizures, etc.
GI conditions: diarrhea, anorexia, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), vomiting, etc.
Respiratory conditions: lower airway disease, asthma, nasal congestion, etc.
Internal medicine: liver disease, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, etc.
Palliative care after diagnosis of cancer
Geriatric support: general support for older animals - muscle conditioning, appetite stimulation, general energy levels, mobility, etc.
Needling for arthritis and hip pain
Scientific Evidence - How does acupuncture work?
Scientific Evidence - How does acupuncture work?
Modern research shows that acupoints are located in the areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that the stimulation of acupoints induces the release of endogenous opioids like beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.
The US National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (www. pubmed.gov) has a total of 34,561 research papers regarding acupuncture and 505 animal specific articles as of February 2021.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse