Traditional Chinese acupuncture works on the basis that throughout the body there are energy channels or meridians. Energy flows through these channels but if it becomes imbalanced then disease will occur. By “tapping in to “these meridians at the appropriate places (acupuncture points) these imbalances will be corrected.
One of the Western theories suggests that by stimulation of the appropriate acupuncture points, nerves reflexes result in chemical release (endorphins) to the affected area(“Local response”) as well as to the brain. The combination of these two effects results in a raising of the pain threshold for the whole body and a greater feeling of “wellbeing”.
Between 80-90% of dogs and cats respond to this form of pain management in our centre. In addition to helping to control the pain one can expect an overall increase in activity and demeanour and sense of well being.
Electroacupuncture
Traditional acupuncture
Needles are inserted in the appropriate points and are generally well tolerated. They normally remain in place for about twenty minutes whereupon the patient usually becomes extremely relaxed.
Conditions that respond well to treatment include:
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Disc disease and spondylosis
- Muscular spasm and strains
- Urinary and faecal incontinence
- Nerve injury
