What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your pet's body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your pet's body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your pet's energy flow will re-balance. In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your pet's body's natural painkillers." (Based on statements about acupuncture from Mayo Clinic)

Dr. Druliner will provide integrative therapies using both acupuncture and traditional veterinary medicine to achieve a thorough evaluation of a pet’s entire body. Based on the exam results, a combination of prevention and treatment is developed to treat pain and chronic diseases.

Acupuncture can benefit all life stages (juvenile, adult and senior) and a variety of conditions. It works particularly well to help reduce the cumulative effect of chronic illness. 

For more information about acupuncture on pets, please go to American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA)

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture points are located where nerves and blood vessels travel, and where sensitive connective tissue structures and muscles lie. Placing a needle in the appropriate point modulates brain activity in the somatosensory cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum. This occurs through the release of neuropeptides from nerve endings, including CGRP, and alters the function along the neuroaxis and the peripheral and autonomic extensions. Acupuncture and electro-stimulation of specific points causes the release of proteins the body uses to respond to tissue trauma. This "trauma" affects local tissues with these proteins but also sends signals to the brain, thus the effect of neuromodulation. Different nerves contact different regions of the brain which is how an acupuncture point can affect organs and other locations of the body. It is a very complicated web of neurons and signals. Chinese practitioners described these pathways as best they knew how and current research is showing why they saw positive effects and how acupuncture works.

Will My Pet Tolerate Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a gentle process that most pets tolerate once they understand the process is minimally painful. Sometimes, a pet will require treats to help alleviate anxiety. We only do what a pet will accept. We do not sedate or restrain pets to perform acupuncture. If they will not tolerate needling then laser therapy alone may be employed.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Acupuncture can result in a relaxed state, which can be misinterpreted as lethargy or a worsening condition. This is temporary and indicates that the animal is indeed sensitive to the effects of acupuncture. Your veterinarian will adjust the treatment, if needed, at your next visit. Acupuncture needles are sterilized, so infection from the needle site is extremely rare. Any concerns that you have about the treatment should be discussed with your veterinarian.