Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points on the body which improves the energy flow of the body, the body's Qi. Qi is the energy that controls harmony in any living body. It is the "vital force" or "life energy" that activates and maintains the life process. This energy is derived from our environment through such processes as nutrition and respiration. Disease is an imbalance of the body's Qi.

After thousands of years of practical use and numerous modern scientific investigations, we still find it difficult to answer the simple question of "What are acupoints?" In most of the studies, investigators have observed either high densities of nerve trunks, neural transmitters, or vascular networks in the subcutaneous tissues at or near the site of the acupoints. These points are found predominantly in depressions located along the cleavage between muscles, tendons, or bones. These acupoints communicate with the Zang-Fu organs by way of the meridian system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are perceived as a complex network of major channels flowing through the body. Qi, the body's life energy, flows through these channels. By manipulating the acupoints, we manipulate the body's Qi.

The Chinese believe that everything (people, animals, plants, the earth, the sky) is CONNECTED. They also believe that all the connections have an innate balance between them. The day is balanced with the night, hot with cold, male with female, Yin with Yang.

Acupuncture is a health care system that focuses more on prevention than our present-day western health care system. Along with food therapy (including weight loss), exercise and herbal supplements, acupuncture is one aspect of the ancient art of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), and has been used in China for over 3000 years. Other aspects of TCVM include herbal medicine and acupressure.

It works primarily through the central nervous system affecting the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems to increase circulation and causes release of endorphins, neurohormones, and neurotransmitters. Acupuncture relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves and the body's immune system, and treating individual organ system disorders. Acupuncture can be used to maintain and promote balance in healthy individuals, as well as to treat a wide variety of conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to:

• hip dysplasia/ chronic arthritic conditions
  
• acute muscle, tendon and bone injuries (often best used in conjunction with western modalities)
  
• pre- and post-operative pain management
  
• spinal cord trauma including paresis (weakness) and paralysis
  
• control nausea in cancer patients to improve appetite and boost the immune system
  
• gastrointestinal disorders: vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and inflammatory bowel disease
  
• kidney disease
  
• urinary incontinence and retention
  
• respiratory disorders: upper respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis, and asthma
  
• seizures
  
• separation anxiety
  
• disorders of the immune system
  
• skin conditions
  
• liver disease
  
• heart disease
  
• endocrine disorders including thyroid disorders
  
• Geriatric patient management to improve the general quality of life.
  

Often times the best treatment is a combination of Western and Eastern approaches.

In addition to the use of needles to stimulate acupuncture points, here are some commonly used techniques:

• Acupressure - the simple use of manual pressure on a point instead of using a needle.
  
• Electroacupuncture - electrical stimulation between points to enhance the effect. It is especially useful in musculoskeletal and spinal problems.
  
• Aquapuncture - an injection of saline-diluted Vitamin B12 in acupuncture point. This allows stimulation of the point without the needle having to stay in place.
  

Herbal Alternatives

Herbs are used extensively in China to reestablish the balance within the body. In China, herbs are more widely used than acupuncture. Unlike acupuncture, which is extremely safe, the use of herbs requires more expertise. It is hard to overdose an animal with acupuncture or even give a treatment that is detrimental because many acupuncture points can help in both excess and deficient conditions. That is not the case with herbs—one herbal formula is used for excess and a different one for deficiencies. The beauty of herbal formulas is that there is continuous rebalancing of flow because the herbs are in the system all the time. This enhances the effect of the acupuncture treatments. It also ensures that they do not have to be too frequent (too frequent acupuncture treatments can “wear out” points.) We recommend only high quality formulas. Some are specifically formulated for our animal friends. Some are classical formulas that have been used by people and animals for thousands of years.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a hands-on, fingertip therapy that works by applying pressure to various identified points on your dog's body.

The Benefits of Canine Acupressure:

• Manages chronic pain, improves mobility, and relieves muscle spasms.
  
• Increases strength and promotes tissue healing.
  
• Increases sense of well-being, provides short-term pain control and relaxation.
  
• Alleviates nausea and controls vomiting.
  
• Enhances circulation and increases blood flow.
  
• Boosts immune response and aids organ functions.