Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves placing tiny needles at specific points on the body known as acupuncture points. Needles are inserted only into the superficial tissues of the skin and connective tissues and are rarely felt by the patient during placement. Acupuncture points are found along meridians, or channels, that run throughout the body and work by stimulating the nervous system.
Most patients find it to be a very relaxing treatment, with many falling asleep.
In the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture promotes health and healing by restoring balance and the free flow of energy, known as Qi, within the body.From a Western perspective, by stimulating the nervous system with this needle placement, blood flow is enhanced, inflammation is reduced, and pain-relieving and relaxing compounds are released throughout the body. These effects of acupuncture occur almost immediately with needle placement, and the duration of results is variable based on a patient’s condition.
What to expect
Your pet’s initial acupuncture visit will include a Traditional Chinese Medicine exam, which differs from the typical Western medicine exam. We’ll ask many questions about your pets’ habits, and pay close attention to the pulses and tongue. We will explain in detail what we are doing and why. After the exam we will place the acupuncture needles and let them sit for 15-30 minutes. The whole visit will take about 75 minutes.
Follow-up visits will be about 45 minutes. We typically recommend weekly visits for 4-6 weeks, then we begin to stretch out the time between appointments as your pets symptoms are alleviated.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
All organ systems, from the skin to the heart can be treated with acupuncture, but pain relief from arthritis is the most common use of acupuncture in our practice.
Many of our patients have more than one problem and this is where acupuncture really shines as many of the acupuncture points have many effects so you are treating the WHOLE pet.
What you’ll pay for:
Initial Acupuncture consult and treatment: Traditional Chinese Medicine exam $80 and Acupuncture treatment $65-85, plus a housecall fee of $50.
Follow-up Acupuncture treatments: Acupuncture treatment: $65-85, plus the houscall fee of $50.