The top five benefits of acupuncture for dogs and cats
Did you know that there are many benefits of acupuncture for dogs and cats, not just humans?
When it comes to pet pain management, veterinary acupuncture is one of the most commonly used forms of alternative treatment for pain relief. In this article, we want to champion the effectiveness of acupuncture for our patients and pet parents by highlighting the following:
- What is acupuncture?
- How often should my pet receive acupuncture?
- The benefits of veterinary acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
This treatment is an ancient Chinese practice going as far back as 6000 BCE, where it is said that sharpened stones and bones were onced used as acupuncture instruments.
Essentially, it involves the insertion of fine needles into certain points of the body where nerve bundles and blood vessels intersect. In veterinary acupuncture, acupressure points help to control your pet’s energy or Chi (pronounced “chee”). If these become blocked, it is believed that this leads to illness. Acupuncture works to restore balance and stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities, as well as promote both physical and mental well-being.
Certain acupuncture treatments may be delivered through electronic stimulation of acupuncture points (PEMFT), laser therapy or manual massagetechniques and used in conjunction with other treatments, depending on your pet’s condition.
How often should my pet receive acupuncture?
In general, acupuncture sessions are approximately 30 minutes. For acute problems, such as sprains, these may be relieved in just one or two sessions. Some of our more mature four-legged friends visit us less frequently, but for chronic mobility problems like arthritis, ongoing treatment may be required.
The benefits of acupuncture for dogs and cats
1. Acupuncture Can Help With Injury Recovery
When a dog or cat has an injury, acupuncture is extremely beneficial to help with pain relief, minimise the need for analgesics and speeding up post-operative recovery time. The acupuncture needles placed in the skin help relax muscles, improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation so that injuries can heal quicker.
This is especially useful for pets who are suffering from chronic illnesses, arthritis, hip dysplasia, dermatitis, thrombocytopenia, or cancer.
2. Weight Loss
Is your pet overweight? Acupuncture can help them slim down by converting fat cells into lean muscle cells through stimulation, increasing their metabolism and promoting healthy changes in diet.
3. Gastrointestinal Issues
If your pet is experiencing any type of motion sickness, diarrhea or chemotherapy nausea, acupuncture can help!
Many illnesses in dogs and cats start with acute phases of nausea, and acupuncture treatment can be very beneficial by increasing blood flow and releasing endorphins which possess morphine-like effects to relieve any tension. It also helps to normalize digestive activity.
4. Allergies
By helping the body regulate its immune system, acupuncture could help decrease your pet’s allergic reactions to certain foods or substances such as environmental allergens, pollen, grasses, molds, food additives, etc.
Veterinary acupuncture can also help ease symptoms of skin allergies such as allergic dermatitis, granulomas, rashes, or hot spots in dogs and cats. These may respond well to acupuncture treatment because increased circulation can improve healing, while pain reduction will reduce the discomfort of excessive itching, biting and licking.
5. Reduce Anxiety
Who doesn’t want their pet to live a more stress free life? Acupuncture can help reduce behavioural issues such as anxiety in pets by lowering Cortisol levels. This is great for fearful cats, skittish or aggressive dogs and any other pets who are regularly stressed or anxious – all thanks to acupuncture’s calming effects.
Cat & Dog Acupuncture at Physio-Vet
The specialists at Physio-Vet know how difficult it is to see a pet in pain, and we’re delighted to be able to offer this therapy, where our highly skilled and experienced team of veterinary acupuncturists are on hand to help your pet on the road to recovery.
For further information about veterinary acupuncture, contact Physio-Vet today 01270 586008 or send an email to Info@Physio-Vet.Com
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