Acupuncture is the gentle application of needles in specific locations to assist the animal in getting back into balance.
Dr. Isabelle's patient Fable receive acupuncture treatment
Like on the freeway when all traffic is moving well, Qi (chi) in the Meridians (freeways) is flowing well, and your animal is in balance. However when there is a traffic jam there is a blockage, stagnation, or imbalance. Acupuncture is one of the modalities that can ameliorate this blocked and stagnant Qi bringing the animal back into balance.
There are different forms of acupuncture that work on different imbalances. For example, dry needle works well as a general stimulation to unblock Qi. Electroacupuncture is another excellent method used when the stimulation needs to be stronger, deeper, and longer lasting. In this method the needles are hooked up to a gentle current of electricity which is then cycled over a period of time for the greatest benefit. This kind of acupuncture works well in paralysis cases and arthritic animals. Aquapuncture is the technique of injecting small amounts of liquid (Vitamin B12, saline etc) over the acupuncture points in the skin. Hemoacupuncture is used in horses for acute imbalances of heat (infection, inflammation, etc) and it is the injection of the animal’s own blood over the acupuncture point in the skin. A variation of this is when there is a small amount of blood coming out of the point after the needle is removed. This indicates relief of stagnation and is a very good thing!
Acpuncture is painless and effective
The insertion of the needles is essentially painless. However there is a moment where the animal will “notice” the needle, and this is called De Qi (the arrival of Qi). This is not caused by pain, but by an arrival of Qi, where the animal may turn its head or twitch its skin/fur coat.
How do you know if your animal is out of balance?
It may be fairly obvious in conditions such as arthritis, skin problems, eye or ear conditions, or neurological diseases (seizures, IVDD, etc). However, all imbalance starts small and then if untreated will end up in very noticeable disease states. Ideally, if the imbalance is caught early in its appearance, it can be corrected easily and quickly. If the imbalance is allowed to progress into full disease it can still be corrected, however it takes a little more time and effort to bring the animal back into balance.
What are tell-tale signs of imbalance?
Horses can benefit from acupuncture also, such as Star, pictured here
Monitor your animal every day – has its fur coat changed? More shedding? Is the animal itching? How are the foot pads – soft and supple like leather driving gloves or rough and rugged? Does the animal have eye discharge? How are the insides of the ears – smelly and red or clean and pink and odorless? How is the walking – spring in the step and active, or dragging its feet and difficulty getting up and down?
These are easy things to notice, and can be early signs of imbalance that will move into full disease if not addressed.
Always check the animal’s eyes, ears, teeth, fur coat, foot pads, urination, defecation, appetite (drink and food), walk and mobility and how it is interacting with you and its friends.
Sally takes a nap while receiving acupuncture
For more in depth information, please do not hesitate to call 916.952.0321 or email me.
