When you think of vets and needles, most people think of vaccinations or blood samples. But there is another type of needle that we can use to help our patients – acupuncture needles.
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What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of complementary therapy that involves placing very fine needles into the body at certain locations in order to alleviate pain or treat various medical conditions. It has its origins in traditional Chinese medicine where the art was first practised over 3000 years ago. Those first practitioners believed that acupuncture worked by rebalancing the body’s energy and so restoring physical and emotional well-being. We have now unveiled scientific explanations for their beliefs, as research has shown that not only does acupuncture trigger the release of endorphins which act as a natural pain relief, but it can also influence the control centre of the brain – the hypothalamus. And it can impact the autonomic nervous system; which regulates the heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and respiration.
So what can acupuncture be used for?
Almost anything! The most common use is in the management of chronic pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal disc disease, or muscular disorders. In these instances, the application of acupuncture can reduce the requirements for pain-relieving drugs which can come with undesirable side effects. Rehabilitation after surgery is another area where acupuncture certainly deserves a mention. Interestingly, it has also been shown to help in other internal disease processes; such as urinary problems, gastrointestinal disorders, or neurological issues like epilepsy.
What are the benefits?
The main benefits of acupuncture are that it is fairly non-invasive and carries few, if any, side effects. Most dogs tolerate acupuncture fairly well, which means the treatment is not stressful for them or for their owners. Although it will rarely completely replace drug therapy for many conditions, as mentioned above acupuncture can help to minimise the use of medications in some cases.
Are there any downsides?
Because acupuncture relies on precise placement of needles that may need to be in position for up to 30 minutes, it may not be suitable for all dogs, dependent on their temperament and behaviour. It also isn’t recommended if the dog has concurrent skin disease. And as with any treatment, there is always the risk that it won’t work. Acupuncture must always be carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon. But it also requires additional specialist training to be able to be performed effectively and safely. Because of this, there may not be a suitable practitioner close to the patient and some travelling may be needed.
What will happen during the treatment?
Depending on the reason for the acupuncture and the area being treated, once the needles are in place, they are usually left there for up to 30 mins, during which time most patients become relaxed and possibly even sleepy. Treatment is often repeated once or twice weekly for around 6 appointments, then the intervals between treatments can be increased.
As well as traditional acupuncture, there may also be the option of using electroacupuncture where a small electric current is passed through the needles to cause further stimulation to the chosen areas.
Does it work?
The jury is still out on a definitive answer to that question. And like many things in veterinary medicine, it is likely to be more effective in some animals and less effective in others. Quite a few studies have shown significant improvements in quality of life and pain control in animals treated with acupuncture either alone or in combination with other therapies, than when compared to a placebo. Conversely, other studies have shown some improvements but not statistically significant improvements, and some owners and professionals remain sceptical. There is definitely great scope to research further, given its excellent safety profile and low risk of any side effects.
Over recent years, chronic pain management, particularly for arthritis cases, has developed massively and the emphasis is most definitely now on multimodal therapy. Because of this, acupuncture is likely to find its place in day-to-day veterinary medicine. And its availability will become more widespread. Further research is needed but if acupuncture can be proved to be effective, not just in arthritis, but for a number of internal medical conditions, then it could really benefit all our pets in the future.
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