Posted on July 30, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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With touch one of the most universal forms of healing therapies in the world, the simple act of laying on of the hands and the more artistic form of animal acupuncture has become increasingly popular with pet owners. Orthodox vets and pet healthcare practitioners are quickly becoming trained in the use of acupuncture and pets.

TYPES OF  NATURAL ACUPUNCTURE

The use of acupuncture began about 3,500-years ago in China, a practice which involved the use of inserting small and sharp needs in specific acupuncture points of the body to stimulate the body’s healing mechanism. The imbalance of these areas causes illness with acupuncture curing the body when specific areas are stimulated.

A type of acupuncture referred to as “auricular medicine” is when acupuncture is applied to the ears of the body, with the ears believed to contain energy points which connects to all parts of the body. But typically acupuncture points can be stimulated by needles, heat (moxibustion), massages from fingers or thumbs (acupressure), electrical or ultrasound, laser light applications, or implantation like small gold beads.

ACUPUNCTURE IN SMALL ANIMALS

The needles in small animal acupuncture are very small and sharp to allow a painless insertion. Practitioners or vets who are knowledgeable about acupuncture can insert the needles with no pain at all, with most animals respond by becoming relaxed, slightly euphoric or sleepy.

The conditions of some animals may become worse for a day or two after an acupuncture treatment, but this is usually considered as the beginning of the body’s self-healing process followed by a marked improvement of the condition.

VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE

Veterinary acupuncturists in the United States are licensed, with the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society offering accredited certificates for veterinary acupuncture.

According to this society, acupuncture treatments will vary from 10 seconds to 30  minutes per session.  Sprains or infections usually will require only one treatment, but established chronic conditions such as arthritis will require one to three treatments per week.

Usually a positive response is seen after the third treatment, with treatments continuing for eight treatments followed by a slight tapering off. The maintenance treatment for a chronic condition following this initial stage is usually two to four treatments annually. Animals who are undergoing very intense athletic training or exercise can benefit from acupuncture treatment once or twice a week, or even monthly. Of course, each animal is different and the animal’s condition will influence the treatments.

GOVERNING VESSEL 26 (GV26)

An acupuncture point called the “governing vessel 26″ is located halfway between the nose and upper lip. Written in a book called “Love, Miracles and Animal Healing” by Veterinarian Allen M. Schoen,  this point is considered a vital point to revive a dead animal who has passed away from a heart attack.

The book discusses the use of acupuncture in dog arthritis, colic in horses, Siamese cat and allergies, a llama’s stiff neck, an Alaskan Malamute and epilepsy, labor problems in a Burmese cat, and low sperm count in a stud bull.

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