Acupuncture – the insertion of needles into the body – is a technique that has been used in veterinary medicine in China for at least 3000 years. In recent decades, there has been significant scientific research on the subject of acupuncture, supporting the practice and proving that this aspect of physical medicine has healing benefit, primarily through modulation of the nervous and vascular systems. Dr. Chelsea Anderson has brought the practice of acupuncture to Park East! Dr. Anderson completed her acupuncture certification through Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016 and joined our team in June 2017. Enjoy her Acupuncture Primer below.
In acupuncture, needles are inserted into universally recognized ‘points’ that are typically near nerves, arteries, and veins. These points are rich with neurologic influence, and send signals to the brain and spinal cord to modify pain response, encourage circulation and healing, and reduce muscle spasm. The main indication of acupuncture is for functional problems, such as paralysis, non-infectious inflammation and pain. Some conditions that can be treated with acupuncture include:
In acupuncture, needles are inserted into universally recognized ‘points’ that are typically near nerves, arteries, and veins. These points are rich with neurologic influence, and send signals to the brain and spinal cord to modify pain response, encourage circulation and healing, and reduce muscle spasm. The main indication of acupuncture is for functional problems, such as paralysis, non-infectious inflammation and pain. Some conditions that can be treated with acupuncture include:
- Musculoskeletal problems – periodic acupuncture treatment has been shown effective in reducing pain associated with trauma, surgery, and chronic inflammation due to arthritis or hip dysplasia
- Neurologic conditions – patients with anxiety can improve with acupuncture therapy, and symptoms of more serious neurologic disease, such as paralysis or seizures, can be reduced or eliminated
- Dermatological issues – symptoms from allergies and lick granulomas can be alleviated
- Gastrointestinal problems – acupuncture has been shown to be effective in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea and constipation
- Genitourinary issues – signs of chronic renal failure and urinary incontinence can be managed and progression of disease can be slowed
- Respiratory conditions – symptoms of feline asthma can be managed with regular acupuncture treatments
Your first visit will be scheduled for approximately 1-hour and will include a consultation, thorough myofascial exam, and a treatment (pending tolerance). Follow-up visits are scheduled for 30 minutes. We encourage scheduling the initial 2-3 sessions within a two-week period in order to determine whether the patient will respond to acupuncture. Typically, we see some form of response within the first three treatments. Once a baseline has been established, the frequency of visits is entirely dependent on your pet’s response to treatment.
If you have questions about whether acupuncture can help your pet, please call our office at 212-832-8417 to speak with your veterinarian or schedule a consultation with Dr. Anderson.
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