Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of Chinese Medicine. It has bee used for thousands of years in China and other Eastern Countries to help restore, promote and maintain good health. Although proven successful without the benefit of modern knowledge, it is only in recent years that the scientific and medical communities of Europe and North America have begun to study it and understand and explain its effectiveness.

There are many types of needles that can be used. These needless may vary in length, width of shaft and shape of the head. Pets experience acupuncture needling differently. For most pets, neddling results in minimal to virtually no pain at all. Due to the extreme slenderness of the needles, the sensation is less than that of a mosquito bite, if felt at all. Eighty to ninety percent of pets respond well to acupuncture with noticeable improvement.

The ear is the microcosm of the body. In a sense, it can be referred to as an external brain. Any pathological or physiological changes in the body presents itself in the ear. It is sub-divided into phases:

• Phase I – Energetic Disruption Qi Flow
• Phase II – Deep Degenerative Changes (Chronic)
• Phase III – Inflammatory Changes
• Phase IV – Motor, Sensory Changes

Acupuncture has been credited with helping many conditions. Because the approach is holistic, the treatment is not directed at the disorder itself but rather at the pet as an individual. One of the most striking aspects is the almost complete absence of adverse effects or complications from its use. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine has been used daily in many countries around the world to treat pets with: colic, acute and chronic pain disorders, edema, arthritis, neck and lower back pain, high fever, asthma, digestive disorders, renal failure, anxiety and depression. To the Chinese, the mind and body are all part of one continuous whole and both aspects may be affected with treatment.

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve and balance the body’s overall function. The Chinese theorize that the body has a constant energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as “Qi” (pronounced – Chee). In the East, it is believed that a person’s health is influenced by the flow of Qi throughout the body. This energy moves through various channels in your body – called meridians. Along these meridians are acupuncture points. Disease occurs when the flow of Qi becomes blocked or unbalanced. Acupuncture works by stimulating key points in the body, using needles to restore balance. Medications, as directed by your veterinarian, may be taken as required. Following a treatment, strong exercise is not recommended. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 24 hours after treatment.