Acupuncture

A gentle, non-invasive, ancient Chinese approach.

What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a form of integrative Chinese medicine that has been used in people and animals for centuries. Acupuncture is a gentle, non-invasive treatment used to treat a variety of conditions. Each acupuncture treatment is tailored to the individual and typically well tolerated by animals. The approach is to stimulate certain acupuncture points on the body using small sterile needles that activates the nervous system, immune system, and encourages blood flow. These points are chosen based on a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and a detailed exam. In addition to the traditional “dry-needle” technique, we can stimulate these points by injecting a small amount of fluid in the area, pressure using our fingers, gentle electric stimulation, and a red light laser. The goal of acupuncture is to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, and restore balance in the body. How can acupuncture help my pet? Acupuncture can help treat and reduce negative symptoms for a variety of conditions. Most commonly, acupuncture is beneficial in animals with chronic arthritis and orthopedic conditions, especially ones that have other comorbidities where treatments are limited. It is also commonly used for patients with neurologic conditions such as disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, and others, to help stimulate the nervous system and reduce pain. Acupuncture can often complement traditional medicine when a pet is being diagnosed with metabolic conditions, organ disease, and cancer, as these disease processes and treatments can have negative effects. In addition to traditional treatment, acupuncture may help reduce inflammation, pain, and nausea in pets. For example, acupuncture may help reduce nausea and stimulate appetite in a pet receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment. One of the most valuable aspects of acupuncture is that it can be very effective with few side effects. Some animals may be slightly sore or tired after treatment, but the symptoms resolve by 48 hours. What can I expect from an acupuncture session for my pet? At Aptos-Capitola Veterinary Hospital, we value taking a holistic approach and spending time with our patients. An initial acupuncture session includes a thorough history, traditional physical exam, and traditional Chinese medicine exam to further understand the patient and tailor a specific treatment plan for the pet. Although some pets may be needle averse, we can often recommend a less-invasive approach, such as acupressure, that the pet will tolerate and the client may be able to do at home. For our acupuncture appointments, we create a comfortable atmosphere with many blankets and treats. The sessions last about 30 minutes depending on the patient. The frequency of sessions depends on the condition and the veterinary acupuncturist would discuss the ideal schedule with you. The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, therefore we recommend at least 3 sessions to see the effects of acupuncture. However, many owners see the benefits after the first session