In use for as many as 5,000 years in China, acupuncture involves the placing very fine needles in certain points on the body to help the circulation of energy (chi) and cause a desired healing effect. It is an excellent modality for many disease processes, especially pain.

For at least 3,000 years, China has employed this technique in veterinary practice to treat a plethora of ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as preventive medicine against such problems as founder and colic in horses.

Today, acupuncture is used all over the world, either by itself or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of maladies in every species of domestic and exotic animals.

Modern veterinary acupuncturists use solid needles, hypodermic needles, bleeding needles, electricity, heat, massage, and low power lasers to stimulate acupuncture points.

Acupuncture on animals has been shown to lessen the effects of arthritis, calm allergic reactions, even treat kidney disease. Sometimes, acupuncture may take longer to see results and can be more expensive than conventional medical therapies.

Acupuncture is not a cure-all, but can work we very well when indicated.