The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
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The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) About Acupuncture Acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupressure, diet and exercise are all important therapeutic modalities used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The practitioner of TCM relies on their sense of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch to diagnose and treat patients. Health is defined as a state of harmony and balance that exists between the body and its internal and external environment. Disease occurs when an imbalance persists in the body. The practitioner looks for patterns and imbalance within the patient, which can manifest as disease or illness. The tongue’s shape, color, coating and markings along with a variety of pulse qualities help provide invaluable information about the patient’s state of health. The goal is to find and treat the imbalances thereby returning the patient to a state of health. A true master practitioner can detect and treat imbalance within the patient before it manifests as disease and thereby prevent disease. Preventative medicine is a very important aspect of TCM.
Acupuncture and QiAcupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medical treatment. It has been used to treat animals for nearly 4,000 years in China. Early advances began with horses and progressed to farm animals and now companion animals benefit from its affects. Human and veterinary acupuncture has been growing in the United States since former President Richard Nixon visited China in the early 1970’s and opened a cultural and scientific exchange. Acupuncture is an ancient art or technique, which is used to access the body’s energy or Chi, (Qi), through small holes in the surface of the skin. This energy or Qi is thought to be the body’s vital form or life energy that circulates through the body. This energy is thought to travel throughout the body via meridians or channels. These channels directly connect to each other and to the body’s organs and systems. Scientific studies of the anatomy around acupuncture points, reveal the presence of neurovascular bundles, (nerve trunks and vascular networks). By placing needles into the acupuncture point, chemical or electrical changes occur due to the stimulation of the neurovascular bundles which results in the desired effect on the energy channels. Acupuncture point stimulation has been observed to increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, release hormones such as endorphins or cortisol, alter various biochemical and physiological conditions in the body and help return the body to a state of health and balance.
Acupuncture TreatmentThe length and frequency of treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the type of illness. Generally a session will last 10-60 minutes. The doctor may use from 1 to 20 needles in one treatment. The needles are usually very small and made of stainless steel. Electrostimulation can be applied to select needles if needed. Some practitioners will inject small amounts of Vitamin B12 into the acupuncture points, which is called aquapuncture. Treatments are usually given every 1 to 4 weeks initially and spread out to an as needed basis. A positive response is usually seen in the first 4 to 8 treatments.
Selecting a Veterinary Acupuncturist Most states require a licensed veterinarian to perform the treatments. Formal training and certification in animal acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, (IVAS), or Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine are very important qualifications to look for. The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, (AAVA), has a list of certified veterinary acupuncturists, (CVA), on their web site. |
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