ACUPUNCTURE, a brief introduction

Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing thought to have originated in Tibet or India but developed extensively by the Chinese. It is one of the oldest therapies in the world and is essentially the insertion of needles into the skin at specific points on the surface of the body. The Chinese recognise that these points have a direct relationship to some of the main internal organs and with the muscles and skeleton. These points lie on specific energy channels called meridians which link all the points associated with a particular organ together. Stimulation of the points results in physiological changes which can help resolve illness, relieve symptoms and change body energy, allowing it to flow more freely, in effect rebalancing the body as far as is practically possible. In fact in Oriental medicine, acupuncture is used to both diagnose and prevent disease, as well as to treat symptoms.

Acupuncture is not a stand-alone therapy. As with many other forms of complementary medicine, it considers diet, exercise, environment and the use of other remedies, of equal importance in maintaining health. Perhaps though, one of the most remarkable contrasts is the fact that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on an entirely different system of thought which does not directly relate to western medicine as we know it. The Chinese medical approach has evolved over a period of 2000 years and sees the world from a holistic angle in which patterns of disease or illness originate from states of imbalance. TCM sees the body as a series of integrated systems which are closely linked and which exist in a state of harmony, rather than the western view of the body as separate specific organ systems.

From a practical perspective, acupuncture involves stimulating points on the meridians, usually by the insertion of needles. While it is possible to stimulate these points by other means such as by laser, heat or implants or by simple pressure (acupressure) or even by using electric pulses (electroacupuncture), the result of stimulation is the initiation of a complex chemical cascade of responses and the release of hormones and other chemicals including neurotransmitters and endorphins, which bring about changes within the body.

Most animals tolerate traditional needle acupuncture well. The needles are exceptionally sharp and in most cases can be inserted into the points on the skin painlessly. Where needling is not tolerated well, then we can use a laser to stimulate the points. Although the effect is not as long-lasting as needling, nearly all animals will allow this form of acupuncture as it is painless. In some cases we will recommend electro-acupuncture to augment the use of needles. Small electrical currents are pulsed down the needles to promote the effect of the needling. We frequently use this method for chronic back pain, especially in horses, where we often perform this technique under sedation for even greater effect.

If you want to learn more about acupuncture, just follow the link HERE for an in depth look.

Conditions that usually respond well to acupuncture.

	DOGS Arthritis, joint pain Back and neck pain, including spondylitis/spondylosis Hip dysplasia Hind limb weakness Nerve injuries including paralysis Disc prolapses Ligament, tendon and muscle injuries including cruciate tears or ruptures Rehabilitation following surgery or injury Urinary or fecal incontinence Chronic coughs Immune system support
	CATS Arthritis, joint pain Back and neck pain Nerve injuries including bladder paralysis Ligament, tendon and muscle injuries including cruciate tears or ruptures Rehabilitation after road traffic injuries Urinary or fecal incontinence Megacolon Immune system support
	HORSES Back pain, neck pain Arthritis/DJD Chronic lameness COPD, chronic coughs Post viral syndrome Immune system support
	FARM ANIMALS Downer cow syndrome Ringwomb Back injuries