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• The animal acupuncture is already being used successfully by some veterinarians, because animals respond to their benefits very quickly. Acupuncture can be applied to all animals, large and small, helping them improve their health.
• The animal acupuncture was practiced in ancient China about 3000 years ago, there was also used acupuncture as preventive medicine, so they already prevents the occurrence of diseases, for example on their horses that were very important as tools work load and their wars.
• The Animal Acupuncture is currently used in all countries, alone or in combination with Western medicine.
The current veterinary acupuncturists use several methods for stimulation as solid needle, hypodermic needles, electrical stimulation, heat moxa, massage, and low level laser.
Under what conditions is indicated acupuncture on animals?
Animal Acupuncture is mainly indicated for functional problems such as paralysis, inflammation of noninfectious origin (such as allergies) and in case of pain.
In small animals, some of these problems can be treated with acupuncture:
· Musculoskeletal problems: such as arthritis or pathology of the vertebral discs, which usually say that it hurts your back and usually happens in older dogs or certain breeds of dogs like the Dachshund.
· Skin problems: as granulomas.
· Breathing problems such as feline asthma.
· Gastrointestinal problems: such as diarrhea.
· Reproductive problems.
In large animals, the use of acupuncture is more common in functional problems such as
· Musculoskeletal problems: such as back problems and lameness.
· Problems Nervous System as facial nerve palsy, Wobbler syndrome, problems of lack of coordination.
· Skin problems: as allergic dermatitis.
· Breathing problems such as respiratory distress and bleeding.
· Gastrointestinal problems: such as non-surgical colic. Rectal prolapse, etc..
· Reproductive problems: ovarian cysts, reduced fertility in stallions, vaginal prolapse, and so on.
Besides regular acupuncture treatments can treat minor injuries at sporting animals, helping them to be more resistant to injury and so as to guard their muscle and tendon structures. In the world of professional and amateur sports often use acupuncture as part of routine training. For example, in horse jumping, racing, or horse shows, acupuncture can help your physical balance and a good workout.
How acupuncture works?
According to the medical philosophy of ancient China, the disease is the result of an imbalance of energy in the body, and acupuncture is responsible for restoring the energy balance and thus this method helps the body heal itself of disease.
In Western terms, acupuncture is concerned with the healing of the body for a number of changes. For example you can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, prevent muscle spasms, and induce the secretion of hormones such as endorphins (one that controls pain) and cortisol (a natural steroid). Although some of the physiological effects of acupuncture have been studied, there are many more that are unknown yet.
Is acupuncture painful?
In small animals, the insertion of the needle is virtually painless. In large animals alike, can cause mild pain when passing through the skin, sometimes not feel it, but in all animals when the needle is already in place is not painful.
Most animals reach a state of relaxation, some as good or even to sleep, however, acupuncture treatment should cause a sensation such as tingling, cramping, or numbness that can sometimes occur in humans, and these can be unpleasant for some animals.
There are approximately 10% that at first do not like needles, but they discover the effects of acupuncture are afraid to pass the acupuncture needles, but not normal needles (curiously) and then we have a 1% of animals that do not support the acupuncture needles in any way (I guess that must be like in people, that there is a percentage of people who have an irrational fear of needles).
Is acupuncture safe for animals?
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a trained professional such as a veterinarian with adequate knowledge of pathophysiology and therapeutic animal.
In acupuncture rarely can be seen side effects or collateral, although they may exist. And these may appear at 48h. after treatment. Other animals may be sleepy or in a lethargy for 24. After treatment. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are occurring and are often preceded by an improvement in the state of the animal.
How long does an acupuncture treatment and how often is it applied?
The duration and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the patient and the method of stimulation using the veterinary acupuncturist. Stimulation of an acupuncture point may be at least 10 seconds and a maximum of 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, you may need a single session, and a more severe or chronic problems require different treatments.
When multiple treatments are required, usually begin intensively with 1 to 3 sessions a week for 4 to 6 weeks.
You can see a positive response after the first session or even after the third.
The maximum development is usually between 4 and 8 treatment, treatments will distance according to symptom improvement.
Some animals are suffering from hard workouts can benefit from acupuncture with a couple of sessions in a week, once a month, the frequency will depend on the intensity of the training and conditions of the animal athlete.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is not a panacea, but if I can divert my experience is that it gives another approach to the disease, can contribute much to when making a diagnosis and is another tool to get cured or the consolation of ease pathologies where solutions have not yet one hundred percent resolvent with Western medicine ..