Veterinary Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture is gaining more and more followers in the western world, thanks to its many benefits. This traditional Chinese therapy has preventive, curative and palliative applications for physical and psychological illnesses.
Therapeutic acupuncture: beneficial characteristics and effects
Acupuncture is currently the most widespread specialty of traditional Chinese medicine. Among its uses is the case of physiotherapy, massage and diet therapy. But the first reports of medicinal application in humans are more than 5,000 years old.
Its application requires specific skills and knowledge to generate certain physiological effects beneficial to the organism. Therefore, acupuncture is considered a specialty and requires specific training for its implementation.
Among the various desired effects of acupuncture for improving the body, the following stand out:
- Endorphin release.
- Chronic pain relief.
- Stimulation of the immune system.
- Regulation of blood pressure.
- Balance of hormone production and metabolism.
- Feeling of well-being.
- Delay in the degenerative process of bones and joints.
- Fight against addictions and chemical dependencies.
How Veterinary Acupuncture Works
In recent decades, the application of acupuncture to domestic and wild animals has gained increasing popularity around the world. Since then, his studies have been included in the career of veterinary medicine and trained specialized professionals.
Veterinary acupuncture works on the same principles as human ones. It basically consists of stimulating certain points on the body through tiny needles that are about two millimeters in diameter.
Experts have located more than 100 strategic points for needle stimulation. Its identification allows connecting the nerve fibers and sets of nerves in the body, which provides general physiological responses.
The application of the needles is painless and safe, but it can generate a slight tingling sensation and heat. Mood and comfort are essential for the positive results of acupuncture. Therefore, the animal must be prepared and be comfortable to carry out the therapeutic sessions.
In addition, it is essential to seek out a veterinarian before opting for any treatment for your pet. A diagnosis and expert opinion will be essential to guide the practice of veterinary acupuncture.
What is veterinary acupuncture recommended for?
Veterinary acupuncture is generally recommended to relieve symptoms, acute and chronic pain caused by physical and psychological disorders. Therefore, it is more common to assimilate it as an alternative curative and/or palliative therapy.
We must know that it is not necessary for the patient to be sick to benefit from this technique. Stimulating the nervous, immune, respiratory and hormonal systems is excellent for preventing many diseases and improving the quality of life.
Currently, acupuncture is widely used to treat animals that suffer from the following diseases:
- Neurological: epilepsy, degenerative myelopathy, paralysis.
- Muscular and/or skeletal: herniated discs, dysplasia, arthritis, arthrosis and for lame people.
- Hormonal or endocrine: diabetes, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease, etc.
- Overweight, obesity and diseases associated with eating disorders, hypertension, etc.
- Failure and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Respiratory: asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, pneumonia.
- Gastrointestinal: constipation, inflammation, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Kidney and urinary: kidney failure and stones, urinary incontinence, urological syndrome, etc.
- Autoimmune diseases: immunodeficiency and associated diseases.
- Allergies, itching and skin inflammation .
- Behavioral disorders: anxiety, depression, phobias, aggression, etc.
- Rehabilitation of surgeries, traumas and accidents.
Also notable are the benefits of veterinary acupuncture for animals with terminal illnesses. Its effects allow you to considerably reduce pain and improve quality of life during the degenerative process.
Is veterinary acupuncture really effective?
Its real effects are being studied and verified. But it is important to know about the scope and goals of veterinary acupuncture.
It would not be responsible to speak of acupuncture or any alternative therapy as a promise of cure. Its greatest value lies in preventing and ameliorating the harmful or painful consequences of chronic, degenerative, and terminal illnesses.
As with any stimulation proposal, its action is usually not immediate like that of an analgesic or other medication. Therefore, curative acupuncture is often combined with other allopathic, homeopathic or herbal treatments.
Acupuncture is often very effective for behavioral disorders. But it is essential to understand that neither it nor the medicines are a substitute for correct education and early socialization.
It is important that we start thinking about veterinary acupuncture as a complement to preventive medicine for animals. And not just as an alternative therapy for chronic pain.
