One of the most innovative, albeit ancient, pet services offered today is acupuncture. This procedure is used in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM). Other TCVM therapies may include acupressure or the inclusion of Chinese herbs or treatments, each of which can be woven into conventional vet care. In many instances, TCVM can be used in traditional veterinarian practices with the idea of both treatment and prevention in mind.
Ensuring a Pet’s Physical Comfort
Acupuncture itself can benefit all stages of a dog’s or cat’s life. Whether the pet is a puppy or kitten, an adult, or a senior, acupuncture can be used to relieve both pain and discomfort, or reduce the overall impact of a chronic illness. Since most pet health issues are usually diagnosed once, an illness can already be advanced. Therefore, it is important to strive to prevent an illness or ensure a pet’s overall level of comfort.
People often ask the vet, “How can acupuncture help my cat or dog?” Acupuncture is a process that stimulates the release of certain anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving substances in an animal’s body. Therefore, this vet offering works to keep the animal pain-free and comfortable. The therapy also relaxes the muscles at the site of the needle insertion as well as points farther away. Therefore, pain relief is both local and generalized.
In addition, the process of acupuncture increases tissue blood flow and oxygenation, which, in turn, assist in the removal of toxins and metabolic wastes. Unlike the use of prescription painkillers or medications, veterinary acupuncture does not produce the adverse side effects that can occur if conventional medicines are used. Plus, a pet’s current supplements and medications will not negatively interact with acupuncture therapy. Therefore, this therapeutic approach is used for treating one of a number of illnesses.
A Treatment That Promotes Healing
The objective of acupuncture is to encourage healing by equalizing any energy imbalances inside the body. Acupuncture improves blood circulation and nervous system functioning while releasing pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory hormones into an animal’s system.
In order to achieve a successful outcome, needles are inserted into body tissues where blood vessels and nerve bundles are housed. These collections of vascular and nervous tissue are defined as acupressure points – junctures that are found on the body’s surface on energy channels or meridians. The meridians are designed to encourage the cycling of energy.
Besides the insertion of needles, acupuncture therapy can also include the application of pressure to acupuncture points to produce a comparable effect to needle insertion therapy. Acupressure is ideal for areas that are hard to reach or for use on pets that do not like the needle therapy. Aquapuncture, or the injection of liquids, is also used in acupuncture therapy. Usually, the substances are a dilution of vitamin B12 and chondroprotective medicines. For more information visit Western Vet Group. You can also connect with them on Facebook for more updates.
