Acupuncture for Pets (Hear from the expert vets)

What is Laser acupuncture?

Some animals and some conditions may be too sensitive to undergo traditional acupuncture in which very fine needles are inserted through the skin. For these animals that are not amenable to needle insertion, there is the option of laser acupuncture. Laser acupuncture is similar to regular acupuncture in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and prescription of appropriate acupuncture points; however, the method for stimulating the points is with a red light or low-energy laser beam, there is no absolutely no pain or discomfort associated with the treatment.

A beam of light from a laser tube is pointed onto an acupuncture point, stimulating it in a similar fashion to the way acupuncture needles do. The visible red laser beam usually heats up the point slightly. During the treatment, the acupuncturist holds the beam steadily for a period that can range from ten seconds to a maximum of two minutes. The duration of the beam usually depends on the amount of tissue the laser must penetrate, and the power the acupuncturist needs to apply on a point.

Generally, this method can treat a similar range of complaints as needle acupuncture; however, the effectiveness of this treatment is often limited to peripheral points. The acupuncture points on hands, feet, and ears respond to laser treatment, but deeper abdominal points do not usually benefit, as most of the laser beams used cannot penetrate beyond 5mm.

Veterinary acupuncture may be used to treat patient with:   

• Musculoskeletal conditions such as degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc disease, cruciate ligament injury, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia,  back pain, neck pain, spinal trauma, spondylosis, temporamandibular myositis, trigger points (link to trigger point therapy). Acupuncture may also be used to help prevent injuries for working/sporting dogs.

• Skin conditions such as allergic skin disease, poor coat, lick granulomas, scars

• Urinary tract conditions such as urinary incontinence, cystitis, kidney disease

• Respiratory conditions such as allergic asthma, sinusitis, collapsing trachea, cough, rhinitis

• Cardiovascular conditions such as mitral valve insufficiency or palpitations

• Central Nervous System disorders such as vestibular disease, cognitive deficits, seizures, paralysis, traumatic nerve injuries

• Gastrointestinal disease such as vomiting, diarrhoea, colitis, constipation, abdominal pain, poor appetite, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease

• Disorders of reproduction such as infertility, whelping problems

• Eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, dry eyes

• Ear conditions such as otitis externa, deafness in some animals

• Geriatric conditions

• Immune mediated conditions such as pemphigus, immune mediated anaemia, immune mediated polyarthritis

• Hormonal imbalances such as Cushing’s disease or hyperthyroidism

• Behavioural problems such as worry, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder

• As part of a general tonic for animals lacking in energy

• For cancer support eg: poor appetite, pain relief, to treat the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation, reduce anxiety

• As a component of Wellness, to help prevent disease

For more information on acupuncture, ask your vet or visit All Natural Vet Care.

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Have you tried acupuncture with your pet? Let us know if it helped your pet…