Acupuncture
Rob Davies MRCVS is qualified to
give your pets acupuncture, the information below explains what we
use acupuncture for and how it will help your pet.
What is it?
Acupuncture involves piercing of
the skin with fine metal needles in order to relieve symptoms of
illness or injury, cure disease and promote health.
The technique is commonly
recognised as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Its use in China dates back at least 3000 years. However, similar
therapeutic practices have developed independently in many
communities around the world. Evidence for this has been found in
historic texts such as 'The Papyrus Ebers' of Ancient Egypt, the
'Vedas' of Hinduism and the 5000 years old preserved body of an
'Iceman' found in the Tyrolean Alps.
TCM philosophy includes the
theory of Qi (pronounced "chi"), which is the life
energy or vital force. Qi is said to exist throughout nature and
accumulate in the organs and flow around the body in channels or
meridians in a specific pattern. By needling specific points along
these meridians it is possible to influence the flow of Qi and
thus exert a therapeutic effect on the body and organs.
Western Acupuncture, (based on
more considered 'scientific' experiments carried out in the 1970s
and 80s), has developed fairly recently. The mechanics of how it
works were at least partly determined by these.
Proof of its effectiveness in
treating conditions such as chronic headache, nausea / vomiting,
knee pain and some bladder problems were established.
The acupuncture practiced at
Andale is used after an orthodox medical diagnosis has been made.
Generally speaking points are chosen based on principles relating
to the chemical and physical structure of the nervous system, its
layout and the connections it makes with muscles, organs and the
brain.
How does it work?
 Acupuncture needles stimulate
high - speed nerve fibres sensitive to a certain type of stimulus
such as a pinprick. Long term (chronic) aching pain, itch and heat
signals are detected and transmitted along slower speed nerves.
Similar to a railway network both groups of nerves travel beside
each other in many places. Both types have connections and
junctions to separate nerves in the spinal column that continue to
the brain. At this point they also have side branches between the
fast and slow fibres.
The signal from the pinprick
reaches the spinal cord first and in effect overrides the chronic
pain signal since it is a 'new' insult, and therefore more
important for the body to respond to. The signal goes to the brain
to stimulate the release of morphine type pain relieving and
calming chemicals, as well as other hormones that further inhibit
the message from the chronic pain pathway
When is it used?
Generally speaking acupuncture is
most effective at treating muscle, joint and skeletal pain. It has
been successfully used to treat some bladder irritations,
diarrhoea and constipation, certain aspects of asthma, some skin
conditions including allergic reactions and also speed up wound
healing. Further applications are still being explored in Western
Medicine.
With long standing conditions it
is usually best to begin with 4-6 sessions, either once or twice a
week. Needles are left in on average for 5 minutes or so. They may
be gently manipulated (lift and thrust technique) to continuously
trigger the sensory nerves.
Progress is assessed at each
session and the regime can be adjusted at each appointment if
necessary. Results that are very short lived could indicate a
missed medical problem, so further investigation is recommended.
A response can be noted rapidly,
i.e. within minutes to hours, though the improvement is often not
felt until the following day. It may provide a complete cure or
last from days to months. There is a variation in sensitivity
between individuals, so we see a scale of responses to needles in
similar points. This may determine the time a needle is left in
position, or whether we can detect any benefit at all. Subsequent
sessions are expected to have a top up effect, extending the
duration of relief.
In some cases it may be
appropriate to use electro - acupuncture to give a more potent
treatment. This technique involves passing pulses of tiny electric
current between 2 needlepoints.
Are there any risks?
Adverse reactions are very rare
in animals. Most records of problems come from experience with
humans and serious ones are more commonly related to Traditional
Chinese Medicine techniques.
Most common side effects are
minor and include fainting or drowsiness, sweating, bleeding,
bruising, pain, jabbing a nerve and local infection. These are all
temporary. The needles are single use to reduce infection risk.
They are non - cutting to minimize damage by parting tissues
rather than slicing through them. They are much finer than regular
needles and therefore far less uncomfortable than a routine
vaccination.
Serious risks include puncturing
the heart, lungs or brain. Such sites are rarely if ever used with
animals, but even these can be needled safely if extra precautions
are taken.
Care should be exercised if the
patient has a bleeding disorder or has a weak immune system. It
can safely be used during pregnancy.
The only recognized drug
interaction is a slightly enhanced response in patients on certain
behaviour modifying medication.
What do I do next?
Please telephone Andale
Veterinary Centre on 0151 423 1388 and arrange a consultation with
Rob Davies MRCVS
Produced by Rob Davies MRCVS
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