Acupuncture: a quote from Davies Veterinary Specialists

ACUPUNCTURE IS RAPIDLY GROWING IN POPULARITY IN VETERINARY PRACTICES AND CLINICS IN THE UK, AS AN EFFECTIVE, SAFE (WHEN IN THE RIGHT HANDS) AND EASILY MANAGEABLE ANALGESIC TREATMENT OPTION.

At DVS acupuncture is now used as part of the analgesic plan in some patients undergoing spinal surgery and it is also being used with success in other conditions where a combination of several drugs need to be used to control severe pain.

Acupuncture is most commonly recognised as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine but it has in fact been embraced by Western medicine since the 1600s as
a therapeutic tool for an orthodox diagnosis. Its main application is in pain management, but it can also help to restore normal body functions, such as gastrointestinal motility and bladder function.

Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system to produce endorphins and other
neurotransmitters involved in pain transmission and modulation. It can have an antiemetic effect, it promotes wounds healing and has an immunomodulatory effect similar to that associated with physical exercise.

Commonly treated conditions are:
myofascial, muscoloskeletal, visceral and neuropathic pain. Acupuncture can be used when painkillers have failed or as part of the analgesic treatment. In the latter case it is not unusual to be able to stop some of the drugs, decrease the dose
or prolong the interval between administrations.