Acupuncture for your dog or cat can help relieve pain
and discomfort in targeted areas.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is an ancient Asian healing technique that involves inserting
extremely fine needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain
and cure various maladies, and also incorporates external electrical muscle
stimulation and exercise. These techniques can be especially helpful in
therapeutic situations.
Acupuncture acts as an analgesic, working primarily through the central nervous system affecting the musculoskeletal, hormonal and cardiovascular systems. It helps reduce pain by stimulating certain acupoints which correspond to specific nerves and blood vessels, through the insertion of needles. A message is sent to the spinal cord and in response, neurotransmitters are released that block pain messages. The brain also releases B-endorphins (the body's natural painkilling hormones) into the blood stream and spinal column. Acupuncture has numerous beneficial health effects including increased circulation, relief of muscle spasms and stimulatation of nerves and the body's defense systems.
What conditions respond to acupuncture?
Some of the most common ailments of cats and dogs that Dr. Gladstein
routinely treats are musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia,
intervertebral disc disease and neuropathies as well as skin problems,
nervous disorders, and respiratory problems.