ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting acupuncture needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect.  Acupuncture has been used in both human and veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years to treat various ailments.  It can be used alone or in addition to supplements, herbs, and traditional “Western” medicines.  Acupuncture is no longer considered an “alternative” therapy.  It has gained wide acceptance among both human and veterinary medical communities.  Considerable scientific research has validated the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for many diseases. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions including musculoskeletal, skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and metabolic diseases.  Here at Broad River Animal Hospital Dr. Senker uses acupuncture primarily in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain for conditions such as arthritis and disk (back) problems.  Dr. Senker has been treating patients with acupuncture since 1994.

How does acupuncture work?

According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result of an imbalance of energy in the body.   Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy and, thereby, assist the body to heal disease.  In Western terms, acupuncture assists healing by stimulating nerves, increasing circulation, relieving muscle spasm and releasing the patient’s endorphins and cortisol which are involved with pain control.  Many of these effects have been studied and verified by research, but many effects are still not completely understood.

Is acupuncture painful?

For most pets, the insertion of the small acupuncture needles is virtually painless.  For some pets, a mild prick is felt as the needles pass through the skin.  Once the needles are in place, there should be no pain.  Most pets become relaxed, and some even become sleepy.  People who are treated with acupuncture occasionally report tingling, numbness or cramps so some pets may also experience the same sensations.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment when performed by a properly trained veterinarian.  Side effects are very rare; most common side effects are a worsening of the condition or lethargy for 1-2 days following treatment.  These effects indicate a physiologic effect on the body and are most commonly followed by an improvement in the pet’s condition.

What should I know about the actual appointments?

You will first schedule an acupuncture consult with Dr. Senker which lasts for 30-40 minutes to evaluate your pet.  The length and frequency of the treatments will depend on your pet’s condition.  Patients generally start with 1-2 treatments weekly for up to 6 weeks, then treatment frequency is tapered according to patient response with some requiring only monthly or periodic treatments.  Follow up visits take 10-20 minutes and stimulation of individual points can last from 30 seconds to several minutes.  Patients that respond to therapy generally will show some improvement in the first week or two of treatment.

How do I choose an acupuncturist?

The two criteria you should look for are:

• He or she must be a licensed veterinarian.
• He or she should have formal training in acupuncture on animals.

Dr. Senker is certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS), the only organization that certifies veterinary acupuncturists.  Certification requires extensive training (over 140 hours), a rigorous examination and periodic recertification courses.