ACUPUNCTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
DR JAN STILL, JOHANNESBURG
Thousands of years ago, Chinese people started practising acupuncture both in people and animals, using fine metallic needles to stimulate certain points on the body in order to achieve pain-relief or to cure disease. Today, acupuncture has become increasingly popular in many countries including the USA and countries of Western Europe.
Acupuncture is practised mainly in small animals including the dog and cat, as well as in the horse. Acupuncture is a valuable therapeutic alternative to more conventional drugs in certain clinical situations, especially when specific drugs are not available, are ineffective, or their use is accompanied by serious side-effects.
The art of acupuncture requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and function of acupuncture points. The theory and practice of acupuncture are based on traditional Chinese acupuncture, while it is complemented by the knowledge of modern biomedical disciplines such as physiology, neurology etc. Acupuncture is safe and efficacious provided that it is carried out by a qualified person.
WHICH CLINICAL CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED USING ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is efficacious in treating sore backs due to muscle or ligament strain that can develop as a consequence of an injury. A sore back can further become a clinical manifestation of some other underlying conditions such as ankylosing spondylosis. Depending on the underlying condition, animals suffering from a sore back are usually reluctant to stand up, or to carry out the usual tasks such as jumping. They may display hind limb stiffness or even lameness.
Additionally, acupuncture has been found to be beneficial in treating some other types of lameness due to arthritis in the elbow, shoulder, hip, stifle and other joints, as well as muscle sprain and spasm. Acupuncture can also be helpful in restoring lost muscle functions, as in the case of paresis or paralysis.
It is further possible to use this method to treat certain types of allergic skin conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) and skin itch. Finally, acupuncture can be useful as a supportive treatment in dogs suffering from epilepsy where the medical treatment is not effective enough or is contraindicated due to its side-effects.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE CURE THE DISEASE?
Based on results of modern scientific research, the observed therapeutic effects of acupuncture can theoretically be explained by its specific action upon the body defense systems. For example, correct stimulation of selected acupuncture points can bring about substantial relief from pain due to the release of so-called neurotransmitters such as endorphins in the brain and spinal cord. Acupuncture was also found to have anti-inflammatory effects and it can modify immune responses which help us to explain the beneficial effects of acupuncture in immuno-deficient patients and in dogs suffering from allergic disorders.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
Before considering the use of acupuncture in your dog, the dog’s owner should first consult his/her regular veterinarian. Indeed, steps should be taken to establish a proper diagnosis of the condition, and all appropriate medical alternatives must be considered before opting for a referral for an acupuncture treatment.
Should acupuncture be deemed to be the most suitable, the dog is always thoroughly investigated before beginning the treatment. Based on these investigations, particular acupuncture points are then chosen. Fine acupuncture needles (as used in people) would then be inserted into the selected points. Sometimes, it is advantageous to inject the points with small amounts of specific solutions. Animals are not anaesthetized during the procedure, as the needling is not painful. Hyper-active animals can be gently restrained by the owner or, if deemed necessary, they could be lightly sedated during the session.
The acupuncture needles may be manually twirled or electrically stimulated in order to enhance the therapeutic effect. The needles are then removed and a course of treatment follows for 1 to 3 weeks. Usually, 3 to 6 treatments are necessary to achieve a significant improvement of the condition. Progress of the treatment is regularly evaluated and a therapeutic programme is adapted according to the individual responses of each single animal. Especially in severe and chronic disorders, it might be important to "reinforce" the effects of the initial set of treatments by repeating one or two acupuncture treatments a few months later.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Jan Still is a fully qualified veterinarian practising in Lonehill (northern Johannesburg area). He has more than 20 years of experience in veterinary acupuncture. Dr Still has a post-graduate qualification in veterinary acupuncture and anaesthesiology. His particular professional interest is pain management, musculo-skeletal and neurological disorders, sport medicine and acupuncture. Dr Jan Still can be contacted at 082 4540203.
Acupuncture is practised mainly in small animals including the dog and cat, as well as in the horse. Acupuncture is a valuable therapeutic alternative to more conventional drugs in certain clinical situations, especially when specific drugs are not available, are ineffective, or their use is accompanied by serious side-effects.
The art of acupuncture requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and function of acupuncture points. The theory and practice of acupuncture are based on traditional Chinese acupuncture, while it is complemented by the knowledge of modern biomedical disciplines such as physiology, neurology etc. Acupuncture is safe and efficacious provided that it is carried out by a qualified person.
WHICH CLINICAL CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED USING ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is efficacious in treating sore backs due to muscle or ligament strain that can develop as a consequence of an injury. A sore back can further become a clinical manifestation of some other underlying conditions such as ankylosing spondylosis. Depending on the underlying condition, animals suffering from a sore back are usually reluctant to stand up, or to carry out the usual tasks such as jumping. They may display hind limb stiffness or even lameness.
Additionally, acupuncture has been found to be beneficial in treating some other types of lameness due to arthritis in the elbow, shoulder, hip, stifle and other joints, as well as muscle sprain and spasm. Acupuncture can also be helpful in restoring lost muscle functions, as in the case of paresis or paralysis.
It is further possible to use this method to treat certain types of allergic skin conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) and skin itch. Finally, acupuncture can be useful as a supportive treatment in dogs suffering from epilepsy where the medical treatment is not effective enough or is contraindicated due to its side-effects.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE CURE THE DISEASE?
Based on results of modern scientific research, the observed therapeutic effects of acupuncture can theoretically be explained by its specific action upon the body defense systems. For example, correct stimulation of selected acupuncture points can bring about substantial relief from pain due to the release of so-called neurotransmitters such as endorphins in the brain and spinal cord. Acupuncture was also found to have anti-inflammatory effects and it can modify immune responses which help us to explain the beneficial effects of acupuncture in immuno-deficient patients and in dogs suffering from allergic disorders.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
Before considering the use of acupuncture in your dog, the dog’s owner should first consult his/her regular veterinarian. Indeed, steps should be taken to establish a proper diagnosis of the condition, and all appropriate medical alternatives must be considered before opting for a referral for an acupuncture treatment.
Should acupuncture be deemed to be the most suitable, the dog is always thoroughly investigated before beginning the treatment. Based on these investigations, particular acupuncture points are then chosen. Fine acupuncture needles (as used in people) would then be inserted into the selected points. Sometimes, it is advantageous to inject the points with small amounts of specific solutions. Animals are not anaesthetized during the procedure, as the needling is not painful. Hyper-active animals can be gently restrained by the owner or, if deemed necessary, they could be lightly sedated during the session.
The acupuncture needles may be manually twirled or electrically stimulated in order to enhance the therapeutic effect. The needles are then removed and a course of treatment follows for 1 to 3 weeks. Usually, 3 to 6 treatments are necessary to achieve a significant improvement of the condition. Progress of the treatment is regularly evaluated and a therapeutic programme is adapted according to the individual responses of each single animal. Especially in severe and chronic disorders, it might be important to "reinforce" the effects of the initial set of treatments by repeating one or two acupuncture treatments a few months later.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Jan Still is a fully qualified veterinarian practising in Lonehill (northern Johannesburg area). He has more than 20 years of experience in veterinary acupuncture. Dr Still has a post-graduate qualification in veterinary acupuncture and anaesthesiology. His particular professional interest is pain management, musculo-skeletal and neurological disorders, sport medicine and acupuncture. Dr Jan Still can be contacted at 082 4540203.
This article is copyrighted and remains the property of the author. Individuals are welcome to print or copy same for their own use in furthering their knowledge of dogs. However, no reproductions or alterations/variations are allowed without the express written consent of the author.