Benefits of Acupuncture for Dogs

Acupuncture for dogs is increasing in popularity so Dr Jennifer Robinson from Melbourne Vet Acupuncture explains how it works.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture being one aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine that focuses on restoring the energy balance in the body to promote healing.

It requires the insertion of fine needles into the dog’s body at specified points, called acupuncture points.

In Chinese medicine Acupuncture points are mapped along meridians. Meridians are channels that form a network in the body along nerves and blood vessels, through which Qi (vital energy) flows. Blocked qQi causes pain or illness. The flow of Qi is restored by using acupuncture.

How does acupuncture for dogs work?

Placed in specific points, the needles enhance blood circulation and activate the body’s own anti-inflammatory cascade, which improves healing ability and relaxes trigger points that cause painful spasms.

Acupuncture also releases chemicals from the brain and spinal cord called endorphins and dynorphins, that interrupt pain signalling.

So, acupuncture can help to decrease the amount of pain medication to treat those dogs suffering from severe pain.

By releasing endorphins and other beneficial substances from the brain, acupuncture can also help with anxiety and stress.

Acupuncture appears to have no systemic side effects, so it may be helpful for dogs who don’t tolerate traditional therapies or medications.

It can work well in combination with medical and integrative therapies such as CBD oil and herbal medicine.

What specific conditions can it be used for?

One of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture are musculoskeletal pain in any form and osteoarthritis.

It can complement the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications for skin conditions and immune mediated disease.

I also see many patients with cancer, where acupuncture can be very beneficial in stimulating the immune system and combat side effects associated with chemotherapy.

Whilst acupuncture is a great adjunctive therapy in many medical conditions, it is not a replacement for traditional medicine,  especially when treating infection, cancer, and internal diseases like diabetes, Cushing’s or heart disease.

What if dogs don’t like needles

Whilst acupuncture for dogs is not painful, some dogs can be sensitive to the needles so we can use another technique called acupressure which involves applying pressure to acupuncture points rather than inserting a needle.

Laser acupuncture is also used to target specific acupuncture points for deeper tissue effects than acupressure.

In most cases I use herbal medicine formulas in addition to acupuncture to get a faster and longer lasting effect.

What owners should consider

Before you book your dog in for acupuncture, make sure he or she had a thorough check at your regular vet and an established diagnosis.

It is important, that your dog’s health professionals work together and are all on the same boat, so we can get the best results possible.

If you think, acupuncture for dogs may help your pet, visit melbournevetacupuncture.com for some useful links and other information or to book a session if in Melbourne.