Modern Day Acupuncture in Horses
being constantly developed. Alongside these new ideas, the older traditional medicines are forever finding their place in modern day veterinary care and with great success. Acupuncture definitely falls into the traditional medicine category. It finds its origins in old Chinese medicine and has been practised for around 3000 years! Acupuncture has stood the test of time and has a surprising number of modern-day applications.
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Interest in modern day equine acupuncture is ever increasing. This is partly due to a surge in research supporting acupuncture in treating a wide range of conditions. The continuing evidence in favour of acupuncture is convincing more and more veterinary surgeons of its merits.
So what is Acupuncture?
The most common technique is dry needling acupuncture. This involves inserting sterile needles into specific and mapped out locations on the horse’s body. The needles being inserted stimulate the nervous system and make the body respond in specific ways: -
1. Pain Relief. Acupuncture causes the release of natural opioids. These are potent pain-relieving molecules similar to morphine. They provide pain relief without the side effects of many of the man-made drugs.
2. Releases tension in muscle and fascia. Small tight contractions within muscles and fascia can be incredibly painful and impact equine performance. Acupuncture relaxes these areas of tension and enables the muscle to once more return to its full function without pain.
3. Activates the Limbic system. This is the part of the nervous system that is in control of many body functions including blood pressure, blood flow to organs and the emotions. With acupuncture we can help rebalance this limbic system and thereby help restore normal body function.
quine medicine is progressing at an exciting speed with new medicines, equipment and surgical techniques
When can we use Acupuncture?
Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide array of conditions. The most common use is to alleviate musculoskeletal pain.
A horse will have an abnormal gait when they are lame - this is to guard themselves against painful movements. We look for these abnormalities to diagnose lameness, for example a head nod indicating forelimb lameness. With time the head nod will give a horse associated neck pain. Similarly, it is true for hindlimb lameness as a horse will oſten have back and pelvic pain as a consequence of a hindlimb lameness. The neck, back and pelvic regions lend themselves very well to being treated by acupuncture.
We have found it to be very useful, when used in conjunction with other lameness treatments, to resolve the muscle pain and tension that has inevitably built up. For this reason, our clinic often uses acupuncture as a complimentary treatment following a lameness work up, as acupuncture works seamlessly alongside the most up to date equine veterinary lameness treatments including joint medications and shock wave. It is particularly useful in the treatment of kissing spines as it alleviates the pain and enables a quicker rehabilitation from surgery.
Head shaking is another condition that is oſten helped by acupuncture. It can relieve pain and sensitivity in the nerves around the head. Acupuncture desensitizes these nerves and causes the release of local pain-relieving molecules to the head region. This can cure or reduce the
26 April/May 2020 For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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