Veterinary Acupuncture
Veterinary Acupuncture in Washington, IL
Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic is proud to offer pet acupuncture as part of our integrative approach to veterinary care. Acupuncture, a therapeutic practice rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, is used to promote healing and improve your pet’s overall well-being. As an alternative or complementary treatment, acupuncture is a valuable option for managing a variety of conditions, especially when traditional methods may not be effective or well-tolerated.
What Is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Veterinary acupuncture has been practiced on animals for nearly 4,000 years in China. It is one of several therapies your veterinarian may utilize to treat your pet. Acupuncture involves stimulating specific points in the body to balance the body’s Qi (energy), which can change various biochemical and physiological conditions to promote healing. Acupuncture is often employed when conventional treatments are ineffective, cause unwanted side effects, or when surgery is not a viable option.
How Does Veterinary Acupuncture Work?
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, acupuncture helps regulate the body’s energy, encouraging it to heal naturally. In Western veterinary medicine, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, increases blood flow, and prompts the release of natural hormones like endorphins (pain-relief chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid). These physiological responses can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve the overall function of the affected areas.
The treatment involves inserting thin, sterile needles into carefully chosen acupuncture points on the body. These needles remain in place for a designated period to stimulate the flow of energy and promote healing. The placement of these needles is guided by your pet’s specific health condition and needs.
Common Conditions Treated by Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture is highly versatile and can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions in pets. The therapy is particularly beneficial for managing pain and chronic illnesses, but its applications extend far beyond pain relief.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Intervertebral disk disease
Dermatological Conditions
- Chronic allergic dermatitis
- Recurrent ear infections
Neurological Conditions
- Seizures
- Traumatic nerve injury
- Degenerative myelopathy
Urogenital Conditions
- Urinary incontinence
- Chronic urinary tract infections
Respiratory Conditions
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
Behavioral Conditions
- Separation anxiety
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Constipation
- Megacolon
- Chronic diarrhea or vomiting
Evaluation and Treatment Process
Before starting acupuncture therapy, a comprehensive evaluation is essential. At Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic, we take a thorough approach to assess your pet’s overall health and identify areas where acupuncture can be most effective. This evaluation includes a traditional Chinese medical examination, which is different from the typical Western approach. It involves acupuncture point analysis, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and other assessments specific to traditional Chinese medicine.
Once the evaluation is complete, your pet’s acupuncture treatment plan will be created. Each session is customized to address your pet’s unique energy imbalances or health conditions. The first session typically lasts around 60 minutes and involves selecting the acupuncture points that will deliver the most benefit to your pet.
Follow-up treatments, usually lasting around 30 minutes, are scheduled on a weekly basis to start. The frequency and duration of these sessions will depend on how your pet responds to the therapy. As your pet’s condition improves, the frequency of treatments can be reduced.
Scheduling Veterinary Acupuncture
If you are a current client of Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic, scheduling acupuncture for your pet begins with a consultation. During this initial appointment, we will evaluate your pet’s condition and determine if acupuncture is the right course of treatment. Follow-up appointments are then scheduled based on your pet’s individual needs.
For referral clients, we request that your regular veterinarian reach out to us to initiate a referral. Alternatively, you can use our acupuncture referral form to begin the process.