Pet Acupuncture

Acupuncture is best utilized as a part of an overall program of health that makes use of appropriate diet, herbal medicine, Western medicine, exercise, and if appropriate, massage therapy. These should be discussed with your veterinarian. The intention is to work in conjunction with your regular veterinarian to achieve the very best results for your pet.

Types of Acupuncture

Dry Needling involves inserting thin needles through the skin at acupuncture points along energy pathways in the body. This insertion stimulates nerve endings and also creates a piezoelectric current that has different effects depending on which point is chosen. Dry needles are usually left in for 10 to 20 minutes and are sometimes further manipulated during treatment.

Aquapuncture involves giving small injections of vitamin B-12 or saline in the region of an acupuncture point. The injected fluid stimulates the point. This is a good treatment strategy when needles cannot be kept in place.

Electro-acupuncture makes use of battery-generated electrical currents to stimulate points and help move energy along particular pathways in the body. It is helpful in cases of paralysis especially. Not all animals tolerate this technique.

Other acupuncture techniques include moxibustion which involves using heat from a burning herb, hemoacupuncture, and pneumoacupuncture.