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Enhancing Pet Wellness Through Acupuncture
You may have heard of acupuncture as an effective treatment in human medicine—or maybe even experienced it yourself—but did you know it can be highly beneficial for pets, too? Acupuncture can help manage a variety of conditions, including arthritis, cancer pain, seizures, and more. Our own Dr. Devon House performs acupuncture for pets with care and expertise. If you think your pet could benefit, give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Understanding How Acupuncture Works for Pets
Acupuncture involves targeting certain nerves and nerve pathways with very fine needles that stimulate the nerves to cause physiologic changes, increases in circulation, and improved lymphatic flow. The effect is that it helps the body heal, much like medications do, but using the body’s own hormones and chemicals to change and heal itself.
What is a Typical Treatment Like?
Acupuncture treatments vary based on the patient’s medical condition and individual needs, but most treatments take 20 to 30 minutes. Each session starts with a full muscular and fascial examination. Then needles are placed in the areas of need as determined by the examination. Needle stimulation should cause virtually no pain. Most animals find treatment relaxing; some pets even fall asleep during treatment! Needles remain inserted for 5 to 20 minutes. Sometimes we choose to perform electrical acupuncture, also called e-stim, to provide an increased release of endorphins and increased pain relief.
What Conditions Does Acupuncture Help Treat?
At Tranquility Veterinary Clinic, we use acupuncture to complement traditional medicine, so that we can ensure your pet is getting total care. Many pet owners turn to acupuncture when traditional medicine is not sufficient for their pet. Acupuncture has proven helpful in treating a variety of conditions and diseases, including arthritis, nerve pain, back and neck pain, paralysis, cancer pain, lick granulomas, ligament tears, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, seizures, immune disorders, heart arrhythmias, and more.
