Acupuncture is an ancient healing treatment that is increasingly being used to support pets and people. Working alongside veterinary advances, holistic treatments like canine acupuncture can support your dog by increasing their comfort, reducing pain, and even supporting their healing.
What dogs benefit from acupuncture?
A variety of conditions can be treated or supported through acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture can encourage healing and reduce a dog’s pain similar to chiropractors. Dogs who have disc disease or nerve injuries often benefit from acupuncture. Dogs struggling with arthritis or ongoing orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia, as well as dogs who have neurological conditions, including epilepsy, may respond well to acupuncture. Other surprising conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include asthma and gastrointestinal conditions and as part of recovery from some surgeries.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a holistic healing method derived from traditional Chinese medicine, where very thin, gauged needles are inserted into strategic places around your dog’s body. Acupuncture works by using locations that will stimulate critical muscles and nerves to provide relief and stimulate healing. The needles are placed at different depths, and generally, dogs will have multiple needles placed in each session. The needles are left in your dog during the treatment and removed at the end.
Who can perform acupuncture on dogs?
Acupuncture is like any other veterinary procedure and should only be done by a licensed veterinarian. Not all veterinarians can perform acupuncture treatments. Veterinarians who perform acupuncture have received special training on how to utilize acupuncture to support dogs struggling with different types of pain or different medical conditions.
What are canine acupuncture appointments like?
The goal of canine acupuncture appointments is to provide relief to dogs and ensure they are comfortable with the procedures. Dogs will not be forced or restrained while getting acupuncture. Instead, veterinary acupuncturists will work with dogs by utilizing positive reinforcement techniques to ensure that dogs are comfortable participants in their acupuncture appointments. Dog owners are generally able to be with their dogs while they are getting acupuncture treatments and may even be able to sit on the floor and hold their dogs during the procedure to encourage their dogs to relax while they are receiving acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture treatments usually last around half an hour.
How often should my dog get acupuncture?
Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best schedule of acupuncture for your dog’s unique needs. Your availability and budget will determine the frequency of acupuncture appointments your dog needs and your dog’s medical needs. For dogs recovering from surgery or an injury, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent acupuncture sessions. Those sessions likely will decrease in frequency as your dog heals.
How do dogs respond to acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatments can help to reduce the amount of pain dogs are in, can help to loosen muscles, and can support healing. Although many dog owners assume their dogs will be uncomfortable or uncooperative with acupuncture, most dogs don’t seem bothered by acupuncture sessions. The needles used for acupuncture are tiny, and dogs may not even notice that they have been inserted. Some dogs even get so relaxed during acupuncture sessions they may fall asleep.
Where can I find a canine acupuncture provider?
In most cases, you won’t need a referral to bring your dog to a veterinary acupuncturist, but if you’re looking to see how your dog responds to acupuncture, check first with your veterinarian to see if anyone at their clinic provides this service to dogs. If not, they may be able to provide you with a referral to a canine acupuncture practitioner in your local area. If your veterinarian doesn’t have a referral, check with veterinary rehabilitation centers and holistic veterinary clinics near you. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association also provides a directory of practitioners, which can be an excellent resource for finding a veterinarian trained in canine acupuncture in your local area.
