Pet Acupuncture

Pet acupuncture is a therapeutic technique used to treat various health conditions in animals. This ancient practice involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points or “Shu-xue.”

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How Pet Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture points are strategically located across the body and can affect different organs and systems. The stimulation of these points can improve blood circulation, release pain-relieving endorphins, and promote healing. In addition to traditional needle insertion, we may also use techniques like electrical stimulation and moxibustion to enhance the therapeutic effects.

At Knox Pet Clinic in Galesburg, IL, we offer professional pet acupuncture services to enhance your pet’s greater well-being and lasting health.

Benefits of Pet Acupuncture

Pet acupuncture offers a range of benefits, including:

Pain Relief: Effective for managing chronic pain conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia.
Improved Mobility: Helps pets with joint and muscle issues regain better movement and flexibility.
Enhanced Recovery: Aids in faster recovery post-surgery or after an injury.
Stress Reduction: Reduces anxiety and stress in pets, promoting a calmer demeanor.
Digestive Health: Helps address gastrointestinal issues and improves overall digestive function.

Conditions Treated with Pet Acupuncture

At Knox Pet Clinic, we use pet acupuncture to treat a variety of conditions, such as:

Arthritis and Joint Pain: Reducing inflammation and alleviating pain.
Neurological Disorders: Supporting nerve function and recovery in conditions like intervertebral disc disease.
Skin Conditions: Addressing issues like allergies and dermatitis.
Respiratory Problems: Improving breathing and reducing symptoms of asthma.
Digestive Issues: Helping with conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

What to Expect During a Pet Acupuncture Session

When you bring your pet to Knox Pet Clinic in Galesburg, IL, for acupuncture, you can expect a thorough initial consultation. Our experienced veterinarians will assess your pet’s condition and create a personalized treatment plan.

Session Overview:

Initial Assessment: Detailed examination and discussion of your pet’s medical history.
Treatment Plan: Customized acupuncture plan tailored to your pet’s specific needs.
Acupuncture Session: Insertion of thin needles into selected acupoints, with sessions typically lasting 20-30 minutes.
Follow-Up: Regular follow-up sessions to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

FAQ For Veterinary Acupuncture

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What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into discrete and specific points on the body to cause a therapeutic effect, but may also include other methods such as electrical stimulation and moxibustion. The point on the body is called “Shu-uxe” or acupuncture point (acupoint). The ancient Chinese discovered 361 acupoints in humans and 173 in animals.

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Is there scientific evidence on how acupuncture works?

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in the area where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that the stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. The US National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (www.pubmed.gov) has more than 25,000 research papers regarding acupuncture and more than 400 animal-specific articles.

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Is acupuncture safe?

Yes! Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Very few negative effects have been found in clinical cases.

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What physiological effects are induced by acupuncture?

Pain relief
Promotion of tissue healing processes
Regulation of gastrointestinal motility
Anti-inflammatory effects
Immunoregulation
Hormone and reproductive regulation
Antifebrile effects

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Why is acupuncture frequently combined with herbs?

Many acupuncturists choose to combine acupuncture with herbal medicine because the use of herbs enhances the effectiveness of acupuncture.

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How soon can we expect results?

Some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-2 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before on can expect notable improvement.

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How many treatments are needed?

As in all medicine, this depends on the situation and treatments can be done daily, weekly, monthly, or even further apart depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition.

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Does acupuncture hurt?

Rarely! Acupuncture is not painful because acupuncture points are stimulated using very fine needles, almost as thin as hair. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy. Due to the relaxation effect, some animals will fall asleep during acupuncture treatments. In general, sedation is not needed before an acupuncture treatment.

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When is acupuncture recommended?

Clinical trials indicate that acupuncture therapy can be effective in the following conditions:

Musculoskeletal problems: muscle soreness, back pain, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease
Neurological disorders: seizures, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), laryngeal hemiplegia, and facial and radial nerve paralysis
Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, gastric ulcers, colic, vomiting, constipation, and impactions
Other chronic conditions: skin problems, heaves, asthma, cough, uveitis, renal failure, chronic liver diseases, behavioral problems, infertility, Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, geriatric weakness, and anhidrosis.
Quality of life, cancer and hospice care
Performance enhancement and the prevention of disease