Despite the fact that there's some controversy surrounding it, acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Today, acupuncture is even being put to use in the treatment of pets.
Acupuncture is a non-traditional form of medicine of Eastern origin. It is based on the principle of restoring the body's balance using very fine needles placed in certain acupuncture points. Dogs have over 150 of these acupuncture points. In pets, acupuncture is most commonly used for pain management and to treat diseases of the kidney, liver and skin. It should not be used on certain forms of cancer as studies have shown that it can actually increase the growth of these cancers. Further, there are some risks, including the risk of infection. Acupuncture is best used in conjunction with other traditional approaches, such as medicines or physical therapy. If you think that your pet may be able to benefit from acupuncture, talk with your veterinarian. |
