Frequent Questions
Does it hurt?
One of the most common concerns that people have about acupuncture is the ‘ouch’ factor. However, the needles used for acupuncture are very different from regular needles used for injections. They are incredibly fine and they have a round tip so it separates the skin rather than cutting through it. Most people experience a simple pricking sensation only, and some people even enjoy the sensation. What about cats and dogs? Both can be a little apprehensive at first but they very quickly relax, becoming calm and even falling asleep. Most animals come back the next time, quite content to stand, lie down or be held by their owner and be treated.
Precautions for Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a very safe form of therapy if practised correctly and by a trained veterinary acupuncturist. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) certifies trained veterinarians.
• Because acupuncture relieves pain and can alter the symptoms, a diagnosis should be made beforehand by a veterinarian otherwise acupuncture may simply mask a more serious problem.
• Ideally your acupuncturist is also a veterinarian. Treating animals is very different from treating people.
• Acupuncture diminishes pain, and your dog will feel better; it is important to follow your veterinarian’s advice concerning rest and activity, as pain is ‘nature’s’ way of slowing an animal down so that they may rest and heal.
• Your pet should be treated on an empty stomach or light meal only.
• Acupuncture should be avoided if pregnant.
• Do not plan to bath your cat or dog, immediately before or after acupuncture treatment.
• It is best not to treat an animal that is extremely anxious, aggressive or frightened. Your veterinary acupuncturist may need to use sedation in such cases.
• Your veterinary acupuncturist will need to know whether your pet has been given any injections or is being treated with atropine, narcotics or corticosteroids such as prednisolone, as these can affect the acupuncture treatment.
• Your veterinary acupuncturist may not treat your dog if there is a nasty skin infection or local skin tumours where the needles may carry the infection or growth deeper.
• If needle acupuncture cannot be performed, laser acupuncture is another (less potent) alternative.
Acupuncture treatments
There are several different ways to stimulate acupuncture points. Usually needles are inserted and left for 10 minutes up to half an hour. Sometimes veterinarians will inject solutions into the acupuncture points or use a Chinese herb called moxa to bring warmth into the area by heating the acupuncture point. Sometimes lasers are used to stimulate the points. If the problem is an acute, treatments may be required every couple of days until the desired result is seen. For more chronic conditions there are usually a couple of treatments 1 to 2 times a week, or weekly for a few weeks, followed by regular ‘top ups’ which might be monthly or six monthly or as needed.
What can you expect?
If the problem is a recent one, a single acupuncture treatment should stimulate a quick response, although follow up treatments may be necessary to restore health fully. If the problem has been a long-standing one, sometimes there is no apparent change initially. A second treatment may show an improvement for three or four days, then the effect seems to wane, but follow up treatments seem to extend the effect more and more each time until the condition resolves. Occasionally the symptoms may actually appear to be worse for 12 to 24 hours, or alternatively your dog may simply sleep restfully for 12 to 24 hours. There is often a change in your pet’s temperament; they can seem brighter and more relaxed. It is also important not to give up too early with treatments. Remember acupuncture is stimulating the body’s own internal healing mechanisms, sometimes it takes a while for it to wake up and start working!
How successful is acupuncture?
In the hands of a qualified acupuncturist, treatment will usually bring about a marked improvement if not recovery for many complaints. By discussing the likely outcomes with your veterinarian you should plan a course of treatments, and a point at which you may choose not to continue, or the type of result that you want. For example this may be simply pain relief in an older animal, or full recovery in a younger one. Importantly acupuncture is a safe alternative or adjunctive therapy to drugs and surgery. However, it does not cure everything. More and more veterinarians are becoming qualified to use this time-tested therapy, and more and more animals will benefit from pain free lives.
Acupressure
Ask your veterinary acupuncturist to show you some major points to treat at home between acupuncture treatments.
Acupressure is the application of finger or thumb pressure to the acupuncture points. While the stimulation is not as direct as needle acupuncture it can be a gentle and beneficial adjunct to therapy.
