Acupuncture Edina is one of the better alternative treatments for pets.  Acupuncture is the practice of inserting hair thin needles at certain points in the body to elicit a desired outcome.  It is all about assisting the body to self-heal.  Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine used for 4000 years as treatment for many kinds of disorders on both humans and animals.  In fact, it is still the first treatment option for a majority of people in China.  Because of its effectiveness in treating many kinds of diseases in animals, a growing number of veterinarians now commonly use acupuncture.  Acupuncture is not a panacea for all diseases but it does effectively treat a wide range of diseases and can be a good supplementary treatment for other conventional modalities.

Animals (mammals and some reptiles) of all shapes and sizes, especially horses can benefit from acupuncture.  It is usually used for treatment of musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, skin disorders, neural problems, reproductive problems, respiratory problems, low immunity, cardiac and renal disorders among others.

Acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system, which in turn affects the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems of the body.  Acupuncture is widely known to remove pain; however, it is also known to enhance blood flow, activate a host of beneficial neurotransmitters and neurohormones such as endorphins, the body’s feel good hormones), relieves muscle spasms, normalize nerve function and improve the body’s immune system.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that disease is caused by an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is all about balancing back the energy and rectifying energy flow, which then heals the pet.

Acupuncture utilizes sterilized reed thin stainless steel needles.  The onset of the treatment may elicit a moment of sensitivity when the needle goes in the skin in sensitive or sore areas.  When the needles are all inserted, most of the animals begin to relax and usually sleep during the whole course of the treatment.  It is one of the safest treatment for both humans and animals alike and side effects are virtually nil.  There are cases where the pet’s condition may worsen for a short moment before improvements can be noted.

Treatment session for pets depends on the condition of the pet and the technique used and may last from a few seconds to half an hour.  There are a number of acupuncture techniques that can be applied to quicken or enhance the treatment:  traditional acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into the point), moxibustion and laser acupuncture.  Treatments may require one to three sessions a week for four to six weeks.  Of course, this timetable is not fixed for all types of treatment and it often varies per pet.