Equine chiropractic & acupuncture
The use of “complimentary” therapies are commonly utilized in human and veterinary medicine, those include acupuncture and chiropractic medicine. These therapies compliment our conventional and routine veterinary care.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of a very small needle into the skin at an acupuncture point for the treatment of disease and its prevention, including pain.
Besides the use of stainless steel needles, other means of stimulation of the acupuncture points can be used. Such as electro stimulation of the acupuncture point or aquapuncture of the point as well. Aquapuncture is the injection of a medication or fluid into the acupuncture point to create continued stimulation of the specific point with pressure. Electro acupuncture or E-Stim involves attaching and electrode to the acupuncture needle and applying a low-level current to them. This is especially useful in neurologic conditions such as facial nerve paralysis and back pain.
Acupuncture can also be achieved using a cold laser to stimulate acupuncture points in those patients
that are needle phobic or difficult to treat. If your animal reacts to a certain acupuncture point or trigger point it may also suggest and area of the body to examine more closely giving the veterinarian another tool to help locate a problem.
About Acupuncture
An acupuncture session consists of Our doctors inserting needles in certain spots in your horse's body, based on his or her particular issue. The needles are very thin, so they don't cause pain. In Chinese medicine, it's thought that the needles stimulate the flow of energy, which they refer to as qi.
The practitioner specifically applies the needles to different meridians that are aligned with different areas that could benefit the health issue. In Western medicine, practitioners believe that acupuncture points focus on the connective tissue, nerves, and muscles. Additionally, it's also thought that the needles stimulate the body to produce certain natural painkillers.
What We Use Equine Acupuncture for
In many of our patients with pain, we recommend acupuncture, in particular, for soft tissue pain. Besides pain relief, acupuncture may also have an impact on inflammation, which is ideal for our patients with acute injuries and arthritis. It's thought that acupuncture may also help with the immune system.
Your horse may benefit from acupuncture's ability to increase microcirculation. This refers to the circulation of blood through your horse's smallest blood vessels -- the venules, metarterioles, terminal arterioles, and capillaries. They're located throughout your horse's body including in his or her organ tissue.
We may recommend acupuncture for other reasons as well.
Evaluation Before Acupuncture
Our doctors performs an evaluation before conducting acupuncture to ensure it's safe for your horse. The first part of this evaluation consists of gathering information about your mare or stallion's medical history. We want to make sure he or she doesn't have any conditions that acupuncture could make worse. Our practitioner will also conduct a visual examination and assess the location of the issue.
We won't use acupuncture if the root of your horse's pain is from a fracture or infectious condition. We also can't apply the needles in an open wound. For these issues, your horse will need to have another treatment better suited for his or her issue. Our vet won't conduct acupuncture on a pregnant mare.
At your horse's appointment, we may also conduct blood work or imaging to ensure the safety of the procedure.
What to Expect During Equine Acupuncture
Once Our doctors determines that acupuncture is safe for your horse, they will determine the cause of your horse's pain or other symptoms and decide if acupuncture could benefit your horse.
During the procedure, Our doctors applies ultra-thin needles into specific parts of your horse's body. The needles consist of stainless steel and are flexible. Additionally, we only use fresh needles to avoid the risk of infecting your horse.
Our doctors will apply five to 30 needles, depending on your horse's condition. We leave the needles in position for anywhere between five to 30 minutes. The entire session will last from 20 to 60 minutes.
Sometimes, our patients only require one treatment if they have an acute condition. However, in most cases, between three to five are necessary. For horses with degenerative conditions, or to prevent recurring issues, your horse may benefit from routine acupuncture sessions.
Acupuncture may help lessen your horse's pain and other symptoms without side effects. Generally, the treatment is safe. Plus, Our doctors tailors the treatment to your horse's particular needs. To learn more about acupuncture treatments for your horse, or to schedule an appointment, contact Miller & O'Connor Veterinary Medicine today at (936) 447-0626.
