Acupuncture

History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used in human medicine for more than 8,000 years and in veterinary medicine for more than 2,000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on everything in the body being interconnected. In other words, what happens to one part of the body affects every other part of the body. Organs and organ systems are viewed as connected structures that work together to keep the body and mind functioning well and in balance.

Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture is routinely used in Asia as part of human and veterinary medicine and has now become more mainstream in Europe and the United States. Acupuncture, herbal remedies and other components of traditional Chinese medicine are gaining popularity due to their efficacy and minimal invasiveness and side effects, particularly when compared with Western medicine. Success in acupuncture can be seen in more than 80% of cases.

Getting Started

Your dog or cat's initial consultation will be about an hour long and will include a conventional Western exam, a traditional Chinese exam and the first acupuncture session. A series of 4 to 6 weekly treatments are usually needed before a response is seen. These are followed by monthly, quarterly, or twice-yearly maintenance visits. The follow up visits are usually a half-hour long.

Is it Right for My Pet?

Animals are generally calm during acupuncture therapy. The placement of the needles is virtually painless. Most animals become very relaxed or even sleepy during the treatment.

Acupuncture can be used for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, muscle soreness, disk problems, skin problems, seizures, asthma, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure and others.

Chinese herbal medicine is often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Together, they can speed recovery and, in some cases, can decrease the frequency of acupuncture visits. Dr. Turenne will discuss if Chinese herbal therapy is appropriate for your pet.

At Washtenaw Veterinary Hospital, it is our goal to provide your pet with the highest quality veterinary care. This means offering conventional Western therapies while integrating traditional Eastern therapies. In this way, we are able to give our patients the best of both worlds. We look forward to making your pet as happy and healthy as possible!