Acupuncture is a non-invasive, highly effective treatment for a large variety of issues. In the simplest terms, acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific anatomical points to create a healing response. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. Acupuncture points have the ability to modulate pain, improve blood flow, speed up healing and release muscle and fascial tension. Acupuncture has been an important medical modality that is believed to have originated in India at least 7000 years ago.
Acupuncture can be used to successfully treat musculoskeletal, neurologic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and dermatologic systems. Acupuncture can help reduce the need for long term pain medications and works very well in conjunction with your regular veterinary care. In small animals the most common conditions treated with acupuncture include musculoskeletal pain, traumatic nerve injuries, intervertebral disk disease, degenerative myelopathy, post-op surgical pain, sciatic pain, cranial cruciate injury, kidney disease and many other conditions.
Dr. Yates is always open and willing to discuss when acupuncture may be a useful modality to add to your animal’s treatment plan.
Acupuncture Canine
Acupuncture is widely accepted and enjoyed by most dogs. It is very compatible with traditional veterinary care and often enhances your treatment plan to get the best possible results for your pets.
Acupuncture can be useful in but not limited to:
• Arthritis and degenerative joint disease: Chronic pain and loss of mobility from joint disease are the most common reasons pet parents seek dog acupuncture.
• Intervertebral disc disease and nerve pain: Dogs who have a bulging disc, spinal arthritis or a pinched nerve may experience significant relief from acupuncture. It often rapidly improves nerve function, limb strength and helps animals return to mobility quickly when compared to traditional treatments.
• Geriatric patients: Acupuncture is very effective in managing our aging pets. It is highly effective at improving overall well-being, mobility, and comfort. It helps improve energy levels and often allow your pets to remain mobile and happy much longer.
• Surgery: Acupuncture is often used help relieve post-surgical pain. It is very useful in correcting muscle atrophy, reducing surgical site pain and inflammation, and providing improved recovery and decreased recovery time. Acupuncture is especially successful following orthopedic surgeries by helping pets return to full function more quickly.
• Cancer side effects: Acupuncture is often used to help improve energy and reduce pain, nausea and loss of appetite associated with cancer or cancer treatments. It helps with your pet’s overall well-being.
• Hormonal or metabolic conditions: Dogs who suffer from hormonal conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or Addison’s disease may find relief through acupuncture. Acupuncture is also very effective in the treatments of liver and kidney disease in most cases.
• Trauma: Acupuncture can be very beneficial following traumatic injuries. It helps decrease healing time, improve blood flow, decrease inflammation, and correct nerve and muscle injury.
• Skin conditions: If your dog is being treated for allergic dermatitis or lick granulomas (a skin lesion that develops from a dog consistently licking or biting in one particular area — commonly on the front legs), acupuncture is often a successful complementary treatment. It helps with a wide variety of skin conditions.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Acupuncture may be successful in treatment of GI issues such as diarrhea, IBD, constipation, incontinence, autoimmune disorders etc.
Acupuncture Equine
Acupuncture is often sought after due to its demonstrated safety and minimal side effects. It is tolerated by most horses and is a drug-free alternative used to address musculoskeletal pain that can enhance equine performance. It is particularly attractive for competitors and used in competition where riders must adhere to show association-mandated, prohibited-substance policies. It is a great way to address travel and competition related soreness and helps keep horses soft when dealing with show stalls and limited turnout. Dr. Yates finds acupuncture to be most useful when used in combination with chiropractic care to treat musculoskeletal pain.
Acupuncture can be useful in but not limited to:
• musculoskeletal problems: muscle soreness, back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, obscure lameness, laminitis
• gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhea, impaction, chronic colic
• neurological disorders: seizure, laryngeal hemiplegia, facial and radial nerve paresis
• other chronic conditions: heaves (COPD, RAO, asthma), anhidrosis, uveitis, behavioral problems, Cushing’s disease, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, infertility, renal failure, geriatric weakness, skin problems, performance enhancement and prevention of disease