Research has shown that acupuncture can be both safely and effectively reduce physical and psychological problems related to cancer and its treatment.
by Dana J. Cook on February 21, 2023
by Dana J. Cook on February 21, 2023
Dana has been deep in the pet grooming business for over 10 years. Being a life-long dog lover, she's passionate about educating dog owners on making the best purchasing decisions.*
Veterinary Acupuncture or the broader term Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has been around for longer than you think. Acupuncture or TCVM can benefit dogs in all life stages - juvenile, adult, and senior. It can also treat a surprising variety of conditions.
The technique requires insertion of needles into dog's body at specified points called Acupuncture Points or Meridians. These points usually are where nerves and blood vessels converge. Needles stimulates the release of the body's own anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances. It also improves blood flow in tissues, oxygenation, and metabolic wastes and toxins removal.
Through the years, there are numerous of clinical trials and study recommending acupuncture for animals. According to a paper by Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, states that, "Rigorous scientific research has shown that acupuncture can be both safely and effectively reduce physical and psychological problems related to cancer and its treatment."
It can be used to treat a good number of conditions, especially those that involve pain and inflammation such as arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) among others.
It's important to know that there are varieties of acupuncture treatments available. Some of these don't require needle insertion. Here are some options you can also consider: Acupressure, Aquapuncture, Moxibustion, Electrosimulation, or Laser.
1. Your Acupuncturist must be a licenced veterinarian - Acupuncture points in animals are different from humans. It could lead to potential harm if treatment is done incorrectly.
2. Your Acupuncturist should have training in Veterinary Acupuncture - Veterinary Acupunture is considered a surgical procedure - the acupuncturist should have the ability to diagnose an animal's health problem and know whether the condition needs chemical, surgical, or no intervention at all.
Acupressure: This doesn't involve any needle insertion but application of pressure over the same acupuncture points.
Aquapuncture: Same with needle acupuncture except that fluid is administered through the use of needle. These fluids are hemeopathic solutions, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, or diluted vitamin B12.
Moxibustion: This type of acupunture applies needles with heated Chinese herbal compounds before insertion. Heat and herbal remedies combination has show to be effective in relieving stiffness of the joints and muscle soreness.
Electrosimulation: Cancer promotes tissue swelling or organ system enlargement causing more pain, nausea, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
Laser: This type of disease can come in different form: kidney and liver failure, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, and diabetus mellitus.
This comprehensive list was made after extensive research and analysis considering safety and efficacy. We also collect research from the latest studies and clinical trials to ensure that our criteria take into account the most important details, presenting you with the results, and, in the process, saving you time and money.
Joint infammation or arthritis can create various physiologic changes that induce more pain. What happens is cartilage within the joint undergoes change or damage, becoming less smooth and resulting in the bone surfaces rubbing together.
DJD is the progression of arthritis where joints become irregular leading to more decreased range of motion or flexibility, and increased pain.
Trauma from surgery, accident, and animal fights cause persisting negative psychological effects. Signs of trauma in dogs can be seen as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, and panting.
This type of disease can come in different form: kidney and liver failure, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, and diabetus mellitus.
Cancer promotes tissue swelling or organ system enlargement causing more pain, nausea, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
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