ACUPUNCTURE AT KINGSBROOK ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) in which specialized needles are inserted in specific points on the body to decrease inflammation and promote healing. These points are arranged along channels called Meridians. The needles used are extremely fine and metallic. A small electrical current may sometimes be applied to the needles in order to amplify their effect.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE.
TCVM is often viewed as a form of complementary therapy, meaning it is best used in conjunction with Western Veterinary Medicine (WVM). TCVM and WVM each have their own strengths and weaknesses. TCVM is a is generally non-invasive with few side effects. However, TCVM lacks the tools necessary to pinpoint illness to specific disease-causing agents like pathogenic bacteria or viruses, and treatments are better suited for chronic conditions than acute ones. On the other hand, WVM utilizes the tools of modern science to diagnose disease with great precision, and Western drugs and procedures are powerful and fast acting. However, WVM’s insistence on detailed diagnosis may come at the expense of looking at the the larger picture of the whole patient. Furthermore, while modern medicine can perform miracles for trauma and acute injuries, it has limited offerings for some chronic conditions. In many ways, TCVM and WVM each has what the other lacks. Thus, the best medical system involves the integration of the two systems, so that the strengths of one can compensate for the weaknesses of the other.
THE MOST COMMON REFERRALS FOR ACUPUNCTURE INCLUDE:
- Generalized pain reduction
- Neurologic issues such as paralysis, paresis, seizures, vestibular disease, anxiety
- Arthritis
- Orthopedic injuries
- When surgery or medication is not an option.
- Incontinence, diarrhea, vomiting or decreased appetite
