I wrote an article for ehow. to access it visit ehow.com and search for how to understand pet acupuncture.
Thanks.
Voltaire
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Animal Acupuncture- Basic Information
Acupuncture principles in animal medicine has evolved from human chinese medicine. It is a holistic or wholistic view of a person and in our case, an animal. Looking at patients the holistic way, you do not look at symptoms in isolation. You look at the sum total of the characteristics, preferences, signs and symptoms of the animal. In chinese medicine, this symptoms and signs are analysed using the five element approach (which we will not be discussing here) and the 8 principle approach. The 8 principle approach classifies medical problems as as being either Yin or Yang, Excess or Deficient, Hot or Cold, or Internal or External. Notice that the total number of these classifications is 8 - thus it is called 8 priciples.
The body is (in chinese medical theory) ideally in balance, a yin (or substance) and yang (or energy or life force). Being Yin is like the still water in a lake; it is characterised as being passive, calm; it is also being Cold, and in an animal can be a low body temperature. . Yang is the opposite of Yin - Yang is like Fire, it is being , excitable, active; it is also being Hot as in a fever in an animal; an aggressive personality etc. Deficient conditions also fall under Yin- characterized by symptoms which include weakness, lethargy, lack of zest, weak bark or meow , etc. while Excess conditions will be the opposite-a Yang type of condition or personality- the animal would be strong, hyperactive, full of life, strong bark, or meow. Internal will be classified as Yin- more related to the inside of the body - and medical conditions under this would be characterized by prolonged or chronic problems- (generally greater than 4 weeks duration) Diabetes is an example of a yin condition, while External would be classified as Yang-affecting mostly the outside of the body; they are usually acute conditions, generally of few days to a week duration. Traumatic injuries can be seen a Yang.
So if you notice, all of the 8 principles can fall under either Yin conditions (cold, deficient, internal) and Yang conditions (hot, exces, external). With this information, the practitioner can diagnose and treat the patient. Of course with the advent of modern medicine, the best practitioners would be integrative, using a mixture of the best of both worlds, chinese medicine and western conventional medicine to address disease in animals( and people).
The body is (in chinese medical theory) ideally in balance, a yin (or substance) and yang (or energy or life force). Being Yin is like the still water in a lake; it is characterised as being passive, calm; it is also being Cold, and in an animal can be a low body temperature. . Yang is the opposite of Yin - Yang is like Fire, it is being , excitable, active; it is also being Hot as in a fever in an animal; an aggressive personality etc. Deficient conditions also fall under Yin- characterized by symptoms which include weakness, lethargy, lack of zest, weak bark or meow , etc. while Excess conditions will be the opposite-a Yang type of condition or personality- the animal would be strong, hyperactive, full of life, strong bark, or meow. Internal will be classified as Yin- more related to the inside of the body - and medical conditions under this would be characterized by prolonged or chronic problems- (generally greater than 4 weeks duration) Diabetes is an example of a yin condition, while External would be classified as Yang-affecting mostly the outside of the body; they are usually acute conditions, generally of few days to a week duration. Traumatic injuries can be seen a Yang.
So if you notice, all of the 8 principles can fall under either Yin conditions (cold, deficient, internal) and Yang conditions (hot, exces, external). With this information, the practitioner can diagnose and treat the patient. Of course with the advent of modern medicine, the best practitioners would be integrative, using a mixture of the best of both worlds, chinese medicine and western conventional medicine to address disease in animals( and people).
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Acupuncture - does it work for cats?
Acupuncture works for cats too! Leila was a 6 year old cat I met for intestinal problems. She has was being treated for over 2 years for chronic constipation. Ms. C, brought her to me for examination. Leila was suspicious , meowing , and started hissing when I tried to examine her abdomen. I was able to glimpse her tongue which was purplish red and her pulses were rapid (she was nervous) and strong which I tried to compress but could not diminish.( this is a diagnostic technique of pulse diagnosis) It seemed that her constipation resulted from a slow buildup of her waste products and her inability to make regular bowel movements, a sort of stasis or stagnation in her body.
I proceeded to place a few needles seeing if she would tolerate the procedure. She was ok with the first needles, so I placed the second set. The points I used were meant to increase her intestinal energy, (peristalsis) and diminish the stasis or stagnation from her system which was causing her problem. After two treatments, we are happy to report that Leila is doing much better.She continues to use her prescribed medications , but with the addition of acupuncture treatments done twice a month, her bouts of constipation needing medical attention have been reduced significantly much to the relief of Mrs. C.
I proceeded to place a few needles seeing if she would tolerate the procedure. She was ok with the first needles, so I placed the second set. The points I used were meant to increase her intestinal energy, (peristalsis) and diminish the stasis or stagnation from her system which was causing her problem. After two treatments, we are happy to report that Leila is doing much better.She continues to use her prescribed medications , but with the addition of acupuncture treatments done twice a month, her bouts of constipation needing medical attention have been reduced significantly much to the relief of Mrs. C.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Acupuncture for Canine Emergency
A very interesting and exciting case comes to mind- a pregnant Shih Tzu was brought in for dystocia- difficult birth. The puppies were stuck and we had to get them out.
A cesarean section was performed and the puppies were taken out. (look up cesarean section on a google search if you dont know what it is) The mother was ok after surgery.
One puppy was alive and doing fine- the other did not start breathing despite our routine efforts to revive him. Out comes one acupuncture needle - a very short and thin one- which was applied to the philtrum area, a point called GV-26. Researchers have documented the efficacy of this point in cases of emergency to stimulate respiration , improve blood pressure and stimulate the heart.
The needle is inserted and twirled which increases the stimulating action of the procedure.
After about 3 minutes, the puppy moves his mouth and starts to take breaths on his own.
This is totally amazing. Without acupuncture intervention , this puppy would probably have died. Today, emergency veterinarians are taught this special technique of using GV-26. Who would have thought a 3000 year old technique would be taught to our ER vets today.
A cesarean section was performed and the puppies were taken out. (look up cesarean section on a google search if you dont know what it is) The mother was ok after surgery.
One puppy was alive and doing fine- the other did not start breathing despite our routine efforts to revive him. Out comes one acupuncture needle - a very short and thin one- which was applied to the philtrum area, a point called GV-26. Researchers have documented the efficacy of this point in cases of emergency to stimulate respiration , improve blood pressure and stimulate the heart.
The needle is inserted and twirled which increases the stimulating action of the procedure.
After about 3 minutes, the puppy moves his mouth and starts to take breaths on his own.
This is totally amazing. Without acupuncture intervention , this puppy would probably have died. Today, emergency veterinarians are taught this special technique of using GV-26. Who would have thought a 3000 year old technique would be taught to our ER vets today.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Canine Acupuncture- Principles
I realize that the previous post has some information which may not be familiar to a lot of people. I just had to give you some idea of what was going on in my mind when I was looking at Danny's case. Canine acupuncture and acupuncture treatment in general is based originally on Yin and Yang- the theory of opposites. For simplicity let us assume that Yin represents a negative charge, and Yang, a positive charge. The organism, be it human or animal, is ideally in a state of balance., an equal number of negative and positive charges. When this balance shifts to either a more negative or a more positive state , there is a problem.
Yin also represents a cool, calm and collected state, a description from Cheryl Swartz, a noted veterinary acupuncturist and author. It also represents the substance (our flesh and bones)of the body, Yang is more of fiery, hyper, restless state. It also represents the active movement or energy in the body i.e, the "spark" of life. There is a saying, there can be no yang where there is no Yin and vice versa. This simply means that to have energy you have to have substance from which to draw energy, and if there is no energy, there will be no substance because it takes energy to build substance.
Chinese medical theory also describes Blood, which is akin to the blood flowing through our blood vessels, Chi or Qi, which represents air or vital force, or the nutrients flowing in the blood.
Yin also represents a cool, calm and collected state, a description from Cheryl Swartz, a noted veterinary acupuncturist and author. It also represents the substance (our flesh and bones)of the body, Yang is more of fiery, hyper, restless state. It also represents the active movement or energy in the body i.e, the "spark" of life. There is a saying, there can be no yang where there is no Yin and vice versa. This simply means that to have energy you have to have substance from which to draw energy, and if there is no energy, there will be no substance because it takes energy to build substance.
Chinese medical theory also describes Blood, which is akin to the blood flowing through our blood vessels, Chi or Qi, which represents air or vital force, or the nutrients flowing in the blood.
Acupuncture for Canine Arthritis
The next case I have is a an older dog, a labrador mix named Danny owned by Mr. A.
The dog is having a problem walking, especially with his hind legs. He seems to be shuffling slowly when he walks and his energy level is obviously low. Danny's coat appears coarse and dry, and looking a his tongue, it is a little on the pale side, with several cracks on the surface. I take his pulse and it feels weak and slow. Mr. A has been giving Danny supplements for his joints like glucosamine and chondroitin for years and he is on a a prescription diet for his arthritis. Lately, Danny has not been doing well, and has even developed a little incontinence. Mr. A is here and he would like us to try acupuncture. Going over my examination notes, I find that Danny, according to chinese system of diagnosis, has Chi, Blood and Yin deficiency. The involvement of the bones in his symptoms and the incontinence points also to Kidney deficiency. I place a few needles in Danny- I do not place a lot of needles in the first session in an older animal because sometimes- they get very weak. If the energy in a patients body is low, I do not overstimulate by using too many points. Danny's symptoms also point to his condition as being Cold and Deficient. I do a little moxa in his case. Moxa is an herb also called Artemisia or mugwort, which is burnt and applied to the needles to heat the acupuncture points. This improves the circulation and dispels the coldness in Danny's body. I use moxa rolled up(moxa sticks) to do this. After several sessions of acupuncture, each session reassessing his symptoms and signs, Danny has improved remarkable. He is now able to walk faster, and his energy level is good for his age and his "accidents" are so infrequent that Mr. A hardly mentions them when he sees me. Mr. A continues to bring Danny in for a "tune up" session every month and it seems that Danny looks forward to these treatments.
The dog is having a problem walking, especially with his hind legs. He seems to be shuffling slowly when he walks and his energy level is obviously low. Danny's coat appears coarse and dry, and looking a his tongue, it is a little on the pale side, with several cracks on the surface. I take his pulse and it feels weak and slow. Mr. A has been giving Danny supplements for his joints like glucosamine and chondroitin for years and he is on a a prescription diet for his arthritis. Lately, Danny has not been doing well, and has even developed a little incontinence. Mr. A is here and he would like us to try acupuncture. Going over my examination notes, I find that Danny, according to chinese system of diagnosis, has Chi, Blood and Yin deficiency. The involvement of the bones in his symptoms and the incontinence points also to Kidney deficiency. I place a few needles in Danny- I do not place a lot of needles in the first session in an older animal because sometimes- they get very weak. If the energy in a patients body is low, I do not overstimulate by using too many points. Danny's symptoms also point to his condition as being Cold and Deficient. I do a little moxa in his case. Moxa is an herb also called Artemisia or mugwort, which is burnt and applied to the needles to heat the acupuncture points. This improves the circulation and dispels the coldness in Danny's body. I use moxa rolled up(moxa sticks) to do this. After several sessions of acupuncture, each session reassessing his symptoms and signs, Danny has improved remarkable. He is now able to walk faster, and his energy level is good for his age and his "accidents" are so infrequent that Mr. A hardly mentions them when he sees me. Mr. A continues to bring Danny in for a "tune up" session every month and it seems that Danny looks forward to these treatments.
Dog Acupuncture for Neurological problems
The session is over after half an hour. The little chihuahua is placed in his basket and Mrs. B thanks me profusely for trying. I tell her that most dogs who receive acupuncture treatment feel tired the next day and that she should call me if she is worried about any symptoms which develop following our treatment. The next day Mrs. B calls me and said that her boy his doing good, he seems to have more energy, and he is slowly able to stand and walk. I was much surprised. I did not expect this to be possible! So she makes another appointment to see me in 3 days. Usually for difficult problems acupuncture is prescribed 2-3 time a week initially.
For people who want to know the points I used, I give the following summary-GV-16, GV-20, Bl-10, GB-20, GB 21, TH-17, GV-14, LI-11, LI-4, Bl-18, Bl- 23, Bai Wei, St -36, GB-34. I also prescribed a course of chinese herbs for the little guy to support our acupuncture treatments.
This case turned out to be very successful for acupuncture. Mr. Chihuahua received a total of 8 treatments (usually the average number of treatments for improvement is around 6-10 in my experience but sometimes I see immediate improvement with one treatment) After a few weeks the dog was walking normally and the Mrs. B was so happy that I get a call every week from her thanking me for saving her puppy. The above point formula may look like a foreign language to you but with further posts, I will try to give a simplified version of these acupuncture points.
For people who want to know the points I used, I give the following summary-GV-16, GV-20, Bl-10, GB-20, GB 21, TH-17, GV-14, LI-11, LI-4, Bl-18, Bl- 23, Bai Wei, St -36, GB-34. I also prescribed a course of chinese herbs for the little guy to support our acupuncture treatments.
This case turned out to be very successful for acupuncture. Mr. Chihuahua received a total of 8 treatments (usually the average number of treatments for improvement is around 6-10 in my experience but sometimes I see immediate improvement with one treatment) After a few weeks the dog was walking normally and the Mrs. B was so happy that I get a call every week from her thanking me for saving her puppy. The above point formula may look like a foreign language to you but with further posts, I will try to give a simplified version of these acupuncture points.
canine acupuncture - my experiences
Canine acupuncture is so useful that I have used it in a huge number of cases. It works for emergencies and for acute and chronic problems. Being an animal health care practitioner (I obtained my DVM degree in 1992) I have done research and further acupuncture studies at Tufts University and received my certification from IVAS , the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.
I started to practice acupuncture in treating dogs (and cats) and have been doing this for over five years and the results I see still never fail to amaze me. One great case was the chihuahua of a Mrs. B, from Manhattan, New York. She came in because she had seen a specialist for her dog, who could not stand and kept falling to the side. MRI had shown a problem with her neck bones. Surgery was recommended but she came to me and asked if I would like to try acupuncture after having heard of a friends' story of the successful experience with the treatment.
Will acupuncture work? I did not feel too confident at this point, This was no ordinary case and the neurologists had recommended surgery. In the end, both of us decided that it was worth trying because the neck surgery was so involved that it could lead to permanent paralysis . So I take out my needles, insert a number of them on points I selected which could be of benefit to this condition, the dog relaxes, I turn off the light and switched on the table lamp and leave Mrs. B with her pet in the semi-darkness.
I started to practice acupuncture in treating dogs (and cats) and have been doing this for over five years and the results I see still never fail to amaze me. One great case was the chihuahua of a Mrs. B, from Manhattan, New York. She came in because she had seen a specialist for her dog, who could not stand and kept falling to the side. MRI had shown a problem with her neck bones. Surgery was recommended but she came to me and asked if I would like to try acupuncture after having heard of a friends' story of the successful experience with the treatment.
Will acupuncture work? I did not feel too confident at this point, This was no ordinary case and the neurologists had recommended surgery. In the end, both of us decided that it was worth trying because the neck surgery was so involved that it could lead to permanent paralysis . So I take out my needles, insert a number of them on points I selected which could be of benefit to this condition, the dog relaxes, I turn off the light and switched on the table lamp and leave Mrs. B with her pet in the semi-darkness.
Dog acupuncture - the benefits
Will my canine friend benefit from acupuncture? That is the question you are going to ask. Well, acupuncture will help a lot of problems. It will help to soothe and alleviate a myriad of symptoms from physical symptoms like arthritis to psychological problems like anxiety to internal medicine problems like gastritis and enteritis.
Acupuncture addresses pain relief via improvement of blood circulation, release of endorphins and natural steroids, and relaxation of muscle spasms.
The next question is where can I find a canine acupuncturist? Go to the IVAS- International Veterinary Acupunture Society website at IVAS.Org and click the banner to FIND A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST. Other sites to look at are the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture and the Chi Institute.
Acupuncture addresses pain relief via improvement of blood circulation, release of endorphins and natural steroids, and relaxation of muscle spasms.
The next question is where can I find a canine acupuncturist? Go to the IVAS- International Veterinary Acupunture Society website at IVAS.Org and click the banner to FIND A CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST. Other sites to look at are the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture and the Chi Institute.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Canine Acupuncture- Beginnings in the USA
Canine Acupuncture in the United States had a notable beginning, In the 70's a group of veterinarians from the United States studied with acupuncturists from China and that sparked the interest in animal acupuncture. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS for short) was born. This organization is currently active in promoting veterinary acupuncture and holds basic and advanced training programs and seminars for veterinarians interested in learning this techniques.
Today there are a number of organizations involved in advancement of veterinary acupuncture. Noteable among them are the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) which is an affiliate of IVAS, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), and the Chi Institute. Happy Valentine's Day to all!
Today there are a number of organizations involved in advancement of veterinary acupuncture. Noteable among them are the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) which is an affiliate of IVAS, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), and the Chi Institute. Happy Valentine's Day to all!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Canine acupuncture - China connection
Canine acupuncture has its roots in chinese medicine. Acupuncture is believed to have originated in China. The first acupuncturists used stone or wooden needles to puncture areas of the body to cure diseases. How did they discover these areas also called acupuncture points? Legend tells us that the chinese mapped these points over several thousand years based on observation of the effect of arrow wounds. Being a nation of constant political and military upheavals and dynastic changes, there was no lack of subjects and the ancient chinese physicians performed trials and noted their findings in texts which still exist today and are used as references for treament. Acupuncture probably developed when early men found that massaging and then piercing an area of their body with a stone resulted in alleviation of pain, or other symptoms.
Now you are wondering, how did dog acupuncture or treatment of animals with acupuncture begin? Well it did not start with the dog, it started with the horse, for practical reasons. Horses were used for war and transportation. Treatment of horse diseases was paramount especially in the army, and most acupuncture treatments (in addition to herbs and salves) were used to keep the animals healthy and fit for duty.
Now you are wondering, how did dog acupuncture or treatment of animals with acupuncture begin? Well it did not start with the dog, it started with the horse, for practical reasons. Horses were used for war and transportation. Treatment of horse diseases was paramount especially in the army, and most acupuncture treatments (in addition to herbs and salves) were used to keep the animals healthy and fit for duty.
Canine Acupuncture -Growth and Development
Canine acupuncture has been slowly and steadily getting more attention from the pet health experts and the pet owning community. This has followed today's trend in human medicine where there is significant focus on complementary and alternative medicine- acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, etc.
This is interesting because current practices in dog acupuncture follow the human acupuncture models-that is- most of the acupuncture points used in humans are found and used in dogs.
Dog acupuncture is one of the fastest growing pet care modality today. The interest in dog acupuncture and the general interest in pursuing alternative or complementary treatments in humans and animals- has been driving this method of treatment to higher levels by means of advanced training and the increase in the number of well trained practitioners.
Dog acupuncture techniques are adopted from human acupuncture. A rigorous acupuncture training program in the use of acupuncture techniques for dogs, cats and horses for licensed veterinarians all over the world is currently offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. It looks like acupuncture for dogs is here to stay!
This is interesting because current practices in dog acupuncture follow the human acupuncture models-that is- most of the acupuncture points used in humans are found and used in dogs.
Dog acupuncture is one of the fastest growing pet care modality today. The interest in dog acupuncture and the general interest in pursuing alternative or complementary treatments in humans and animals- has been driving this method of treatment to higher levels by means of advanced training and the increase in the number of well trained practitioners.
Dog acupuncture techniques are adopted from human acupuncture. A rigorous acupuncture training program in the use of acupuncture techniques for dogs, cats and horses for licensed veterinarians all over the world is currently offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. It looks like acupuncture for dogs is here to stay!
Welcome to Canine Acupuncture
Welcome to canine acupuncture and how it can help your pet. It is acupuncture for the dog, man's best friend.
Members of the genus Canis , the dog has evolved over the centuries from the wild predators/hunters of the plains to the most beloved companion of the human species.
We acquire dogs as puppies from breeders, pet shops, get them as gifts on special days or adopt them from shelters (please adopt if you are planning to get a dog friend- go to your local shelter or contact the Center of Animal Care and Control (U.S.) - by doing this you will be saving a life and making a friend for life) take them to the veterinarian- give them their required vaccines, map out a health plan for them, give them the best food(i bet that 90% of pet dogs get better nutrition than their human guardians) and enjoy their companionship.
Well thats not the end of the story- there is another side of dog health care -and veterinary medicine- this is what the American Veterinary Medical Association calls CAVM- complementary and alternative veterinary medicine and that is where the technique of acupuncture - for your dogs- fall under. This is all about dogs and Dog Acupuncture.
Members of the genus Canis , the dog has evolved over the centuries from the wild predators/hunters of the plains to the most beloved companion of the human species.
We acquire dogs as puppies from breeders, pet shops, get them as gifts on special days or adopt them from shelters (please adopt if you are planning to get a dog friend- go to your local shelter or contact the Center of Animal Care and Control (U.S.) - by doing this you will be saving a life and making a friend for life) take them to the veterinarian- give them their required vaccines, map out a health plan for them, give them the best food(i bet that 90% of pet dogs get better nutrition than their human guardians) and enjoy their companionship.
Well thats not the end of the story- there is another side of dog health care -and veterinary medicine- this is what the American Veterinary Medical Association calls CAVM- complementary and alternative veterinary medicine and that is where the technique of acupuncture - for your dogs- fall under. This is all about dogs and Dog Acupuncture.
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