Acupuncture is the practice of stimulating acupoints (specific
points on the body loaded with nerve cells, lymphatic and blood vessels) by the
strategic placing of very thin needles.
Stimulation of acupoints can be achieved one of several ways including the
dry-needle technique, electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, pneumo-acupuncture
and a few lesser known forms.
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| Equine Acupoints |
Dry-needle acupuncture is when a dry needle is inserted to
the acupoint. This is the most recognized
acupuncture technique.
Electro-acupuncture uses dry-needles attached to a machine that applies
a controlled electric shock and is generally considered more effective than the
dry-needle method alone. The aqua-acupuncture
approach injects soluble, sterile liquids (water, saline or a vitamin solution)
into the acupoint which acts as the constant pressure needed for acupoint
stimulation. Pneumo-acupuncture uses
small amounts of purified air right under the skin, above the acupoints,
creating effective stimulus.
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| Dry-needle Acupuncture |
Research is constantly being done on “alternative” therapies
to traditional veterinary medicine but so far clinical trials have suggested
that equine acupuncture improves a variety of conditions including but not limited
to infirmities of muscles and bones, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal
ailments, fertility, endocrine diseases, dermatological issues, a myriad of other
chronic issues as well as pain management and geriatric horse health. While some effects are felt right away or
soon after the initial treatment, additional treatments are almost always
needed. Of course, the total number of
treatments required depends on factors such as age of the animal, duration of
symptoms and whether or not it is a degenerative problem that will require
maintenance treatment sessions for the rest of the animal’s life.
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| Electro-Acupuncture |
For more information about Acupuncture Practitioners in your
area, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office. It is also recommended that you speak to your
Large Animal Veterinarian before making any changes to or adding therapies to
your horse’s existing health care regimen.
