What is acupuncture?
Veterinary acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. There are twelve meridians that run through the body. Meridians are channels of energy that correspond with different parts of the body. Along the meridians are different acupuncture points. These points also correlate to different systems of the body. When acupuncture points have been dissected out; nerves, blood vessels, and the lymphatic system are found at these sites. When needles are inserted into these points, it causes an endorphin release which helps control pain. Sometimes electroacupuncture is done. This involves using a machine that is attached to the acupuncture needles that delivers a current of energy (like a TENS unit). This allows more of an endorphin release at the acupuncture points, and helps with better pain control.
What conditions can be treated?
Acupuncture can be used for many different conditions. Common uses in cats include arthritis pain, nerve pain, back issues, kidney disease, seizures, gastrointestinal issues, and allergies. Acupuncture can be used for cats of any age, but senior cats are usually the most common patients that are treated.
What types of acupuncture are there?
Acupressure is a technique that can be used if a cat is too reactive to needles. Acupressure involves applying pressure for certain periods of time at acupuncture points. Laser acupuncture can also be done, which uses a therapy laser to stimulate the acupuncture points.
What does an acupuncture session look like?
During your cat’s first acupuncture session, the veterinarian does a traditional and an Eastern physical exam. An Eastern physical exam involves accessing pulse quality and tongue color, size, and moisture. This information helps the veterinarian determine what is going on with the cat and allows them to tailor the treatment to that patient. Needles will be placed at the appropriate acupuncture points. Most cats tolerate this very well. If electroacupuncture is appropriate, then that will be utilized as well. The needles are usually left in for 15-20 minutes.
Depending on the condition that your cat is being treated for, acupuncture sessions may occur multiple times per week, weekly, or in longer intervals. Most cats like having acupuncture done, and after the first session or two, they are eager for their treatment.
Acupuncture does not tend to be painful, but just like people, every cat is an individual with a different level of tolerance. For those cats that will not accept traditional acupuncture, we then use acupressure or laser acupuncture.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture has many benefits. It’s a natural way of managing many different conditions, and can reduce the number of medications your cat needs. It can also improve your cat’s quality of life.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe. There are no side effects. It should not be used with cancerous tumors, since it can stimulate growth of tumors.
How do I find a veterinary acupuncturist?
A veterinary acupuncturist can be found by looking them up at https://alumni.chiu.edu/
If you have any additional questions, feel free to call us at (603) 865-5532, send us an email at [email protected], or connect with us on social media. We're here to help and will get back to you as quickly as possible.