Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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Yes! Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Very few negative effects have be found in clinical cases.
Each session may take 30 to 90 minutes; the first session usually takes longer than follow-up appointments because a full medical and patient history needs to be reviewed.
Some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-2 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before one can expect notable improvement.
As in all medicine, this depends on the situation and treatments can be cone daily, weekly, monthly, or even further apart depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition.
Rarely! Acupuncture is not painful because acupuncture points are stimulated using very fine needles, almost as thin as a hair. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy. Due to the relaxation effect, some animals will fall asleep during acupuncture treatment. In general, sedation is not needed before an acupuncture treatment.
Only licensed veterinarians are qualified to practice veterinary acupuncture in the USA.
Studies have showen that acupuncture stimulation induces the following physiological effects:
Pain relief
Promotion of tissue healing processes
Regulation of gastrointestinal motility
Anti-inflammatory effects
Immunoregulation
Hormone and reproductive regulation
Anti-febrile effects
Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture therapy can be effective in the following conditions:
Musculoskeletal problems: muscle soreness, back pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease
Neurological disorders: seizures, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), laryngeal hemiplegia, facial and radial nerve paralysis
Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, gastric ulcers, colic, vomiting, constipation, impactions
Other chronic conditions: skin problems, heaves, asthma, cough, uveitis, renal failure, chronic liver diseases, behavioral problems, infertility, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, geriatric weakness
Quality of life, cancer, and hospice care
Performance enhancement and prevention of disease
Acupuncture should be used with cation in the following conditions: fractures, pregnancy, open wounds, and tumors
Many acupuncturists choose to combine acupuncture with herbal medicine because the use of herbs enhances the effectiveness of the acupuncture.