Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Acupuncture is based on stimulating specific points on the body. In classic acupuncture, this is done by inserting very fine needles. However, a similar effect can also be achieved completely painlessly with the help of an acupuncture laser. The stimulation changes various biochemical and physiological processes in the body and balance is restored. Acupuncture helps to activate the body’s self-healing powers, blood circulation, nerve functions and the immune system and supports the various organ systems.
Acupuncture is not a panacea, but it can achieve good treatment results if it is used sensibly and performed by a competent professional. Another advantage of acupuncture is that there are virtually no negative side effects.
For which diseases can acupuncture be used?
Acupuncture is effective in acute and chronic cases. It can also be used to support conventional medical treatment or as an alternative. As a vet, I will be happy to advise you on the best treatment to support your pet.
Areas of application for acupuncture:
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system:
- Arthritis, arthrosis or spondylosis
- Lameness and signs of paralysis of the limbs
- Joint pain, including hip joint dysplasia (HD)
- Pain in the spinal column area, including intervertebral disc disease (discopathy)
- Allergic diseases
- Skin diseases
- Metabolic diseases:
- e.g. liver diseases
- Disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Supportive in the case of hormonal disorders:
- e.g. diabetes
- Hyper- or hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland (hyper- or hypothyroidism)
- Wound healing disorders:
- e.g. postoperative scar treatments or debridement of old scars
- Disorders of the nervous system:
- E.g. epilepsy or vestibular syndrome/ head tilt.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract:
- e.g. vomiting
- acute or chronic diarrhea
- Respiratory diseases
- Kidney and urinary tract diseases:
- e.g. chronic renal insufficiency
- acute or chronic cystitis
- incontinence
- Side-effect-free pain therapy for degenerative processes
- As a gentle alternative if medication does not work or is not well tolerated by the animal
- General vitality support for old animals
How does acupuncture work?
- It is now known that acupuncture influences all important physiological systems. It primarily works via the central nervous system, which affects the musculoskeletal system, endocrine system and cardiovascular system. This leads to increased blood circulation in the region, a stronger immune response and relaxation of muscles and tissue.
- Acupuncture can do more than just relieve pain. The effect depends on the disorder being treated and the choice of points treated.
How does the animal react to acupuncture? Is acupuncture painful?
- Every animal reacts differently.
- Very thin, sterile needles are used. When the needle is inserted, there may be a brief moment of pain at particularly sensitive points. As soon as the needle is in place, most animals relax again.
- An acupuncture laser can also be used as a completely pain-free alternative.
- Occasionally, the animal’s condition worsens briefly before improvement occurs.
Treatment procedure
- An initial consultation and examination take place before the treatments.
- An individual combination of acupuncture points is selected for each animal, depending on the illness and current needs.
- The duration of the needles is usually around 20 minutes.
- The duration and frequency of treatment is very individual and depends on the patient and the illness.
- As a rule, an animal is treated approx. 4-6 times at intervals of approx. 1-2 weeks. Normally, positive changes are recognisable within the first four treatments, sometimes a single treatment is sufficient for acute complaints. As soon as a positive effect has been achieved, the interval is slowly increased.
