Everything You Need to Know About Dog Acupuncture

Posted Jun 21, 2022 in Health & Safety

If they’re going to act like royalty, we might as well treat them like it too! Pet parents and veterinarians turn to ancient Chinese practices to help aid their furry friends. 

What is Acupuncture/Acupressure?

Acupuncture is supposed to rebalance your vital energies in the body by inserting micro-needles into various points in the body intended for healing. The needles guide your energy, or “chi,” to the identified spots to enhance blood circulation. These points also trigger the nervous system causing them to release pain-relieving brain substances to help with discomfort or pain. Medical research has shown that Acupuncture also indicates changes in electrical activity and the release of endorphins.

What Conditions can Acupuncture Treat?

Research from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health shows that Acupuncture can help the following conditions:

• Pain Management: One of the most common uses is for general pain; as discussed, Acupuncture helps pain relief by stimulating the natural pain relief systems in the brain and body. 
• Musculoskeletal Problems: The microneedles relax muscles by simulating naturally occurring pain-relieving. Also, this treatment is suitable for pets with joint inflammation because it can help improve joint mobility and alleviate hip pain.   
  • Arthritis
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Nerve damage
• Skin Problems: If your pet has a spot on their leg that they refuse to leave alone, Acupuncture can aid in healing those superficial nerve endings exposed to the hot site by effectively circulating blood.  
  • Dermatitis
  • Granulomas
  • Hot spots
• Gastrointestinal Problems: Acupuncture can increase metabolic processing while decreasing waste production. 
  • Nausea 
  • Diarrhea 
• Respiratory Issues: Treatment can benefit immune issues from the anti-inflammatory and immune system calming properties.
  • Asthma
  • Allergies 

It is recommended not to use Acupuncture alone to treat severe illness or injury; these benefits are welcomed when combined with traditional treatments.

Are There Side Effects?

According to the veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals, there are no systemic side effects with Acupuncture, so it is entirely safe for dogs, especially dogs with health conditions. Make sure to work closely with a veterinarian when developing a new treatment plan for Fido. Acupuncture insertion does not harm your furry friend; most dogs end up sleepy during or afterward! Some pets will have some fatigue for a few days later because of the nervous system shock, but nothing to fret about unless they are seriously deteriorating. Acupuncture works most effectively with four biweekly or eight weekly sessions, most pet parents have noted noticeable improvements after three sessions. After two months, the conditions should decrease or at least be under control and parents can decrease the frequency of sessions. 

Acupuncture is not a lifelong commitment treatment, it should be used sparingly to have its full potential for aiding in pain relief. Humans have been utilizing this treatment for over 7,000 years, why not use effective pain management for pets too? The combination of new and old medicine can be beneficial for Fido to recover faster!