What is acupuncture in pets

Acupuncture may be defined as the insertion of needles into specific points

on the body to cause a desired healing effect.

This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least

5000 years to treat many ailments.

Acupuncture is used all over the world, to treat a wide variety of maladies

in every species of domestic animals.

Modern veterinary acupuncturists use solid needles, and acupuncture is

not a cure-all, but can work very well when it is indica

 

Why Acupuncture in the Veterinary Medicine?

Like all professions, veterinary medicine is changing rapidly. Several

new medicines have been developed for humans and animals during

the last decade. Complementary and alternative medicine is the best

term to describe a new modality that lies outside, or beside, conventional

medicine.

At the end of the 20th century, the American National Institute of Health

accepted complementary and alternative medicine as a new therapeutic

system. in the field of human medicine, veterinary organisations.

In 1996, the American Veterinary Medical Association revised its guideline

for complementary and alternative medicine in veterinary medicine. These

guidelines reflect the current status of the role of these emerging

modalities within the parameters of veterinary medicine for use in providing

a comprehensive approach to the health care of non-human animals. The

category contains acupuncture and acutherapy, chiropractic, physical

therapy, massage therapy, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutraceutical

medicine, and holistic medicine.

 

Historical roots of Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine

 Oriental Medicine is a term with many variations of a general meaning.

Among the majority of american practitioners it refers to a system of

medicine which originated approximately 5000 years ago in in far east

Asia. This area included what are now China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and

Vietnam.
Research on Oriental Medicine has been continual in China since the

early 1950's. After the civil war was settled in 1948, the Communist

Government of China realized it could not afford to train, let alone

equip, a sufficient number of allopathic doctors to meet the needs of

the country's population. The government evaluation of the traditional

medicine showed that it had enough effectiveness to warrant not only

active use and perpetuation but development.

Today Traditional Chinese Medicine is practiced in allopathic hospitals,

in traditional hospitals, in conjunction with allopathic medicine, and

hybrids of both forms of medicine have been developed.

Chinese and many other ancient philosophies teach that if we respect

nature and care for our environment, prosperity follows and disaster

recedes. Public demand is increasing for a more natural system of

animal production, care and welfare. Traditional Chinese medicine

consisted with:

• Chinese herbal medicine
• Physical medicine: acupuncture, moxibustion, massage etc.
• Mental therapy: Qigong

Traditional Chinese medicine is one of most natural and sustainable systems

of medicine.
It has been practised continuously for several millennia in China. The

Neijing (Classic of Internal Medicine, 221 BC-220 AD) is the oldest existing

medical book in China. It is one of the fundamental texts on Traditional

Chinese medicine, attributed to the legendary Yellow Emperor, Huangdi.

It says: "Superior doctors do not treat disease" , i.e. first-class doctors

use preventive medicine.

About traditional chinese Veterinary Medicine

Western veterinary medicine derive from different backgrounds: the

former is objective and scientific, while the later is subjective and

empirical. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages.

If we can combine the advantages of both systems and avoid the

disadvantages, it may be possible to create a synergistic system of

medicine for animals.
The use of Traditional Chinese medicine in China spans thousands

of years and the documentation is extensive. Traditional Chinese

medicine may provide new methods to treat animal and human

disease if modern veterinary science evaluates its historical

therapeutic claims.

Recent development in biotechnology has shown that the main factors

needed to develop any science are personal effort, group effort, the

activities of interested organisations, teaching and training at

university level and financial support from governments.

Although modern veterinary medicine in China is underdeveloped,

all these factors are present. However, most other countries lack these factors.

 

Acupuncture´s Indications
 

Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as

those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation,

allergies, and pain.

The following list are some of the general conditions wich may

be treated with acupuncture:

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or spinal

• Skin problems, such as lick granuloma.

• Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma.

• Gastrointestinal problems.

• Selected reproductive problems.

• Neurological disorders, paralysis, or traumatic nerves

Acupuncture´s Actions 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. Acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. So, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body's pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid). Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal's condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal's condition. The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine's ability to treat over 43 common disorders including:   Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and NervousSystem, i.e. arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness , back, neck and shoulderpain Respiratory Disorders, i.e. emphysema, sinusitis,asthma, allergies, bronchitis, common cold and flu Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Gynecological Disorders, i.e. irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, PMS, menopausal imbalances DisordersAddictions, i.e. alcohol, nicotine and drugs Urogenital Disorders, i.e. stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction Emotional and Psychological Disorders, ie: depression and anxiety Gastrointestinal Disorders, i.e. food allergies, peptic ulcers, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis Circulatory Disorders, i.e. hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia Supportive Therapy, for other chronic and painfuldebilitating disorders

Complications of Acupuncture Acupuncture has received adverse comments in the medical literature on the basis that it may have serious complications involving: Needle quality and sterility Puncture of body cavities and vital organs Puncture of ear cartilage Syncope, nausea, vomiting "Needle lock" and broken needles Abortion neurological damage pneumothorax local and systemic infections puncture of body cavities and vital organs, second and third degree burns, between others ítems. It is shown that serious complications can arise only from the improper use of acupuncture or from its gross abuse by incompetent practitioners. The safety of a technique must be judged on its results in the hands of competent practitioners who use it properly. If this criterion is accepted, acupuncture is seen as an extremely safe therapeutic system whose complications very rare and are easily avoided or rectified.   Sequels of Veterinary Medicine Acupuncture   For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensation, presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness. What do you expect about: acupuncture treatments last and how often are they given?   The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by the veterinarian. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need a dozen treatments. When multiple treatments are necessary, they usually begin intensively and are tapered to maximum efficiency. Patients often start with 1-3 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first to third treatment. Once a maximum positive respone is achieved treatments are usually tapered off. Many animals with chronic conditions can be maintained with 2-4 treatments per year. Animals undergoing athletic training can be benefit from acupuncture as often as twice a week to once a month. The frequency depends on the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete.   Concept of Acupoint and Meridian   Acupoint There are 365 main acupuncture points spaced all over the body. These are the main points that an acupuncturist will use in daily treatment. There are also over 500 local, non meridian and master points that are not as commonly used. Each of the points has an ancient name that is very important part of Five Element Acupuncture. Some of these pertain to the points location, a lot of them are to do with the Spirit of the Point. The Spirit of the Point is about the particular healing energy available from that point. Meridian or Channels Qi flows through the body along 14 pathways known as "meridians" and, although these usually closely follow the nervous system they are said not to be nerves. There are 12 meridians each duplicated on either side of the body and two others which run in the dorsal (top) and ventral (underneath) mid lines. Linked to the concept of Qi is the concept of the "Yin-Yang" balance. Yin is negative and Yang is positive and these two qualities are intermixed and interdependent for normal function. Acute disease is an excess of either Yin or Yang whereas Chronic disease is a deficiency of either Yin or Yang. Acupuncture aims to help maintain the balance. In Chinese Medicine the concept of internal organs is different to that of western medicine:- there are 12 major organs in the body which have their own meridian and to which they give their name. Each of these organs are classified as predominantly Yin or Yang: YIN YANG Lung Large Intestine Spleen Small Intestine Heart Urinary Bladder Kidney Stomach Pericardium Gall Bladder Liver Triple Warmer   MAIN MERIDIANS IN ORDER OF MIDDAY-MIDNIGHT LAW  Lung  Large Intestine  Stomach  Spleen  Heart  Small Intestine  Bladder  Kidney  Circulation Sex  Triple Warmer  Gall Bladder  Liver  Conception Vessel  Governor Vessel n Meridians: There are seventy-one meridians, but for practical purposes, 14 main meridians are most commonly used.12 main meridians + 2 Extra Vessels     What is Microsistem Ear Acupuncture In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the ear is like a micro map of the entire body; various regions and organs of the body are treated via ear acupuncture to get immediate results. Ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy) is a favorite modality used by Francesca Ferrari to quickly relieve pain, to quickly eliminate inflammation, and to quickly reduce fever. Additionally, ear acupuncture is used for the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions. The ear (auricle) is composed of elastic cartilage, connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels, and an abundant amount of nerve vessels. Tenderness, discoloration, and noticeable veins may reveal Qi and Blood stagnation. Francesca observes and palpates aspects of the ear as a tool to diagnosis the body's internal organs.