VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE

What is acupuncture?
The term acupuncture is from the Latin, “acus” meaning ‘needle’ and “punctura” meaning
‘to prick’. Acupuncture, in its simplest sense, is the
treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of
very fine needles into specific points on the body in
order to produce a response. Acupuncture points can
also be stimulated without the use of needles, using
techniques known as acupressure, moxibustion,
cupping, or by the application of heat, cold, water,
laser, ultrasound, or other means at the discretion of
the practitioner.

The specific acupuncture points have been well

charted for both humans and animals, and were
conceptualized by ancient Chinese scholars to be
connected with each other and various internal organs
via meridians or channels. Many of these channels
trace the paths of the body’s major nerve trunks.

Acupressure Training Photos Each acupuncture point has specific actions when
courtesy of Tallgrass Animal
Acupressure.
stimulated. Combinations of points are often
www.animalacupressure.com stimulated to take advantage of synergistic reactions
between them. Which acupuncture points are
stimulated, the depth of needle insertion, the type of stimulation applied to the needles,
and the duration of each treatment session depends on the patient’s tolerance, the
experience and training of the practitioner, and the condition being treated.

What is the history of acupuncture in veterinary medicine?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical treatment, and is believed to have possibly
originated in India at least 7000 years ago. The development of acupuncture into the
extraordinarily effective tool it is
today probably began in the
earliest dynasties of China. Jesuit
missionaries brought acupuncture
to Europe from the Orient in the
late seventeenth century, where it
has continued to be used to
varying degrees. In North
America, the use of acupuncture
outside of Asian-American
communities was infrequent until
the early 1970s. Since then, as
more clinical research has been
conducted showing positive
results in the treatment of both Acupressure Training Photos courtesy of
animals and humans, its use has Tallgrass Animal Acupressure.
been increasing. Most published www.animalacupressure.com
reports on veterinary acupuncture
originate in France, Austria, China, Belgium, Australia, Taiwan, and the United States.

In North America, acupuncture as an organized form of veterinary medicine has been in

existence since approximately 1975, when the International Veterinary Acupuncture
Society (IVAS) was founded. IVAS conducts regular courses, seminars, and
conferences, and has established high standards for assessing the competency of
practitioners through an accreditation program.

On which species of animals is acupuncture practiced regularly?

Acupuncture can be used on all species of animals, and has documented efficacy on a
wide range of species, including elephants, cattle, horses, dogs, cats, monkeys, and
rabbits. However, it tends to be more frequently used in companion animal species such
as the horse, dog and cat. Most animals tolerate the treatments very well. It may be
necessary to gently restrain the animal during the first treatment to minimize discomfort.
As a rule, animals relax and sit or lie quietly for subsequent treatments.

Who practices veterinary acupuncture and do I need a referral?

Because of the differences in anatomy, and the
potential for harm if the treatments are done
incorrectly, only a properly trained veterinarian
should perform acupuncture on animals. The
American Veterinary Medical Association and
the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
both consider the practice of acupuncture to be
the practice of veterinary medicine, and as
such, should only be performed by a licensed
veterinarian.

As veterinary acupuncture becomes more

accepted, there are an increasing number of
Gentle restraint is usually all that is
necessary for acupuncture in pets. veterinarians in private practice who possess
the necessary training and experience. In
addition, there are veterinary acupuncturists at some of the veterinary colleges and
teaching hospitals. In many cases, referral is not necessary.

What conditions are most often treated with acupuncture?

In veterinary medicine, there is evidence of the
success of acupuncture for treating disorders
of the reproductive, musculoskeletal,
neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and
dermatologic systems. The most common
conditions that are treated include traumatic
nerve injuries, intervertebral disk disease,
degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy and other
central nervous system disorders; asthma,
allergic dermatitis, lick granulomas; and
chronic pain such as that caused by
degenerative joint disease. Acupuncture can
be used in conjunction with general Any condition may potentially benefit from
anesthesia, allowing decreased doses of drugs acupuncture. Disk disease and chronically
painful diseases such as hip dysplasia
are two examples.
such as analgesics. Any condition may potentially benefit from acupuncture.

How can my pet benefit from acupuncture?

Acupuncture stimulates healing of some conditions, and provides effective pain relief in
others. If properly applied, it may eliminate the need for surgery in certain conditions.
Following surgery, it can improve the patients’ comfort level and speed up the post-
operative recovery period. In some cases, it may reduce or eliminate the need for
chronic medication.

How successful is acupuncture?

The success of the treatment of chronic conditions will vary according to the skill of the
practitioner, the disorder being treated, and the number and frequency of acupuncture
treatments. The earlier in the course of disease that acupuncture is started and the
more numerous and frequent the treatments, the better the response tends to be. As a
very rough guide, about ¼ of patients show major improvement, ½ show significant
improvement but still have some symptoms, and ¼ show little or no benefit.

How safe is acupuncture?

Acupuncture should never be administered without a proper veterinary diagnosis and an
ongoing assessment of the patient’s condition and
response to any prior treatment. This is critical
because acupuncture is capable of masking pain or
other clinical signs and may delay proper diagnosis
once treatment has begun. Elimination of pain may
lead to increased activity on the part of the animal,
thus delaying healing or worsening the original
condition.

With most acupuncture treatments, multiple

acupuncture points are stimulated at the same time,
taking advantage of the interactive response to
stimulation. However, if the points are chosen
incorrectly, if the needles are inserted to the wrong
depth, or if the duration of treatment is inappropriate,
the patient’s condition may on occasion worsen.

In the hands of a knowledgeable veterinary

acupuncturist, adverse reactions are rare, but may
Acupressure Training Photos
courtesy of Tallgrass Animal
occur. Such reactions may include mild transient
Acupressure. bruising or swelling at the needle insertion site; a
www.animalacupressure.com mild worsening of the condition for a short time
(usually 24 to 48 hours); difficulty removing needles
because of muscle spasm; injury to an underlying tissue or organ; and infection at the
needle site. Certain acupuncture points are contraindicated in pregnant animals. Caution
is exercised if certain drugs such as narcotics or corticosteroids are being used, or if the
animal has a clotting disorder.

What is the cost of acupuncture?

Comprehensive acupuncture treatment involves a thorough history taking and physical
examination, followed by a patient assessment and formulation of a treatment plan. It
rarely involves a single visit, and costs will vary according to the specific condition being
treated, the equipment required and the response of the patient. The fees associated
with acupuncture treatment are set by the individual practitioner, and will often reflect the
skill, experience and training of the practitioner.

Can acupuncture be combined with other types of veterinary medicine?

Acupuncture is useful as an adjunct therapy to control vomiting associated with
chemotherapy, to manage post-operative pain and to speed healing after injuries.
However, as a complete and well-developed system of medicine, acupuncture is
effective as the sole form of treatment for most conditions, and is used that way by
skilled practitioners. Caution must be used when mixing acupuncture with some drugs,
or with other forms of therapy. In general, however, acupuncture can be very effectively
combined with most conventional and alternative therapies. Using several therapies
simultaneously can make if difficult to determine which therapies are of the most benefit
to a patient, resulting in some practitioners providing different forms of treatment hours
or days apart.

Certified veterinary acupuncturists have the knowledge and skill to understand the
interactions between different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient’s response
to therapy. If your pet is receiving acupuncture treatment from a practitioner other than
your regular veterinarian, it is imperative that both individuals are kept updated about the
ongoing treatment in order to provide coordinated care of your pet, to allow proper
evaluation of treatment and to minimize any avoidable interactions or interferences.
Treatment of animals with acupuncture by anyone other than a veterinarian trained or
certified in its methods is not advisable.

How can I find out more information about veterinary acupuncture?

The most efficient way to find current reference materials, links, and referral lists is to
consult the Alternative Veterinary Medicine website at www.altvetmed.com.

This client information sheet is based on material written by Steve Marsden, DVM ND MSOM LAc DiplCH
AHG, Shawn Messonnier, DVM and Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH.
© Copyright 2004 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. May 16, 2017.