Equine Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect. This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years to treat many ailments. Although most people associate acupuncture with human medicine, it was actually used in the horse initially to prevent such problems as colic and founder in ancient China.
Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (such as allergies), and pain. Some general conditions that are treated frequently in the horse may include: musculoskeletal problems such as sore backs, pain from arthritis or tendon injuries, neurological problems, skin problems such as allergic dermatitis, respiratory disease such as heaves, non-surgical colic, and selected reproductive disorders. In addition regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury.
According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, acupuncture works by balancing the energy in the body and therefore assisting the body to heal disease. In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes such as stimulating nerves, increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle spasms, and causing the release of hormones such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals).
Treating horses with acupuncture is very safe, painless, and effective. Even horses that are typically “needle shy” will relax once they realize the relief of pain that comes with treatment. Some animals will become sleepy or lethargic for a few hours post treatment. This effect is an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal’s condition. The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist. Usually an acute condition may require only one or two treatments, while a chronic condition may require a series of treatments over a period of 4-6 weeks. Horses undergoing athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as often as twice a week to once a month. The frequency depends on the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete.
There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:
- They must be a licensed veterinarian and
- Should have formal training in the practice of acupuncture for animals.
In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinarians may legally administer to animals. Our acupuncturist was trained at the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, currently the only accredited certification program recognized for veterinary acupuncturists.
At Pacific Crest Equine we believe in practicing Integrative Medicine. We approach the horse from a western medical standpoint and provide thorough examination and diagnostic techniques. If the horse appears to have a condition that would respond favorably to acupuncture, our veterinary acupuncturist then applies traditional Chinese medicine and designs a program integrating both Western and Eastern treatments. We feel that this offers our patients both the highest quality available in current western veterinary medicine and also access to the benefits of Chinese traditional medicine. If you would like more information on equine acupuncture, please contact us.
