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It’s vital to note that because most states classify acupuncture as a surgical procedure, it can only be legally prac- ticed by a licensed veterinarian certified in acupuncture. These same states often similarly restrict the practice of acupres- sure (applying pressure to acupuncture points, instead of placing needles, to move energy around in the body). This is important to understand, because if a pet owner engages an unlicensed, non- certified practitioner, he or she will not be able to file a complaint with the state veterinary medical board if a mistake is made that harms the animal.
When to Consider Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture is used to treat conditions ranging from muscle
ANIMAL ACUPUNCTURE V
TCM Is Not Just for Humans Anymore by Dr. Jenny Taylor
eterinarians that practice a holis- tic approach appreciate that tradi- tional Western schooling equips them to use antibiotics and other drugs to lessen troubling symptoms, but they also ask: “Do drugs vanquish the root of the problem? Why do so many patients return with new symptoms that suggest the need for more drugs? Are permanent health and healing possible?”
Traditional Eastern Practices
While Western medicine has tradition- ally focused on fixing the parts of the animal that are not functioning normal- ly, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on systematically restoring what is out of balance and affecting the qual- ity of an animal’s life as a whole. This ancient method of treating illness uses acupuncture alongside other modalities such as acupressure, massage, nutrition, herbs, exercise and meditation. TCM practitioners believe that health can be defined as a state of harmony; if the body moves out of harmony with itself and the external environment, dis-ease and energy
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stagnation occur. TCM aims to unblock this stagnation and return the body to harmony and health.
Although acupuncture has been used to treat humans for some 5,000 years, the first recorded application to an animal was about 3,500 years ago, when an elephant was treated for stom- ach bloat. Treatment of farm animals in rural China and Korea soon followed, but written evidence of its use on household pets has been documented only from the 20th century. From the Latin acus, meaning “needle,” and pungere, meaning “to pierce,” practitio- ners place tiny, thin, sterile needles un- der the skin at precise points, with the intention of moving chi (pronounced CHEE) around the body to prevent or treat disease. In 1974, The International Veteri-
nary Acupuncture Society was founded to help educate and direct veterinarians in integrating TCM and acupuncture into their practices. The society has since become the premier govern- ing and licensing body for veterinary acupuncturists, with more than 500 licensed practitioners in the United States alone.
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injuries and paralysis to arthritis and neurologic, gastrointestinal and repro- ductive disorders. It is also frequently used as a maintenance procedure for healthy, athletic animals that participate in performance competitions. Many thoroughbred racehorses, for example, receive regular treatments. Veterinary acupuncturists develop and implement treatment plans based upon each animal’s needs, includ- ing the recommended frequency of treatment, plus the anatomical points that must be stimulated for successful outcomes. Dealing with acute problems usually involves more frequent treat- ments in initial stages that then taper off within a few weeks. While any illness or health prob- lem can be treated using acupuncture alone, if a pet experiences a chronic, recurring health issue, it will likely benefit from a TCM program that also includes complementary, customized, nutritional and behavioral modifica- tions. Veterinary acupuncturists often recommend herbs and nutritional supplements to help improve overall health. The focus is always on achieving long-term balance and harmony and preventing future illness, while treating current ailments.
Depending on their specialized
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