Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine, derived from traditional Chinese medicine.  Simply put, it is based upon the philosophy that energy in the body flows through meridians or pathways.  Diseases or disorders are considered to be aberrations or abnormalities in these pathways of energy and acupuncture is a form of treatment which helps to restore proper energy flow to the body.  Small, sterile acupuncture needles are specifically placed at various points throughout the body.  Because it is virtually a pain-free experience, dogs and cats will remain quite calm and relaxed throughout the entire treatment, some will even fall asleep during the procedure.

Treating Disorders & Conditions
Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of disorders ranging from musculoskeletal to neurological.  Some of the common conditions that acupuncture are used to treat include:  Osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, and forelimb or hind limb weakness due to nerve damage.  Acupuncture is also widely used for many other conditions including internal diseases (liver and kidney disease), skin conditions, and reproductive disorders.

Individualized Treatment
A complete physical examination of the pet is required prior to treatment so that the veterinarian can fully evaluate the pet and determine the primary condition or underlying disorder.  After a full evaluation, a proper acupuncture treatment plan may be devised that best suits your pet's needs.

Acupuncture treatment will vary for each individual pet.  It is common for treatments to be scheduled over the course of several weeks (once to twice a week), until improvement is observed and then treatments may be tapered down accordingly.

Acupuncture is a wonderful treatment option for pets that do not tolerate conventional Western medicines well or when other treatment options such as surgery are not possible.  It is a virtually pain-free, non-invasive way to improve the quality of life for our pets.