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Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is recognised as a
complete science of venerable origin. Acupuncture is a technique that
identifies points in a pattern of meridians, it was developed in China 6000
years ago and has since been used to treat many different conditions.
During an acupuncture treatment, thin needles are inserted by the
practitioner into the desired locations of the body, these locations are
known as acupuncture points. In traditional Chinese veterinary the
acupuncture points are known as Shu Xue. The word Shu denotes passing or
communications, and Xue means a hole or an outlet The insertion of the fine
needles is painless and most animals show no discomfort at all. The needles
act to stimulate nerve impulses that travel via the spinal cord to the brain
and their insertion causes a release of many different chemicals such as
endorphins, muscle relaxants and histamines that promote healing and pain
relief in the body.
Some practitioners use acupuncture in diagnosis and to assess the horse's
condition. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, each acupuncture
point (acupoint) communicates with a specific organ and reflects the
conditions of that organ. If an organ is subjected to pathophysiolgic
changes, the related acupoints may become tender and/or show other signs of
abnormality. There may be colour change and/or the skin may show signs of
hardening. When acupuncture is used here the effect will reach the
communicating organ through the point and the meridian.
Today acupuncture is being used all over the world as a treatment on its own
and in conjunction with Western medicine.
It is a form of health maintenance that stimulates the body's ability to
sustain and balance itself. In Eastern terms, disease is the result of an
imbalance of Qi (energy)flow. Acupuncture works to promote better Qi flow
that promotes natural healing in the body.
Black's Veterinary Dictionary quotes research (Martin, B.B. & others JAVMA
190 1177) where "Chronic back pain which did not respond to conventional
treatments improved in from 2 to 8 weeks in 13 out of 15 racehorses. An
injection of sterile saline at nine acupuncture points once a week enabled
training and racing to be resumed."
To find out more about Acupuncture:
Call around your local veterinary practices.
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society is the only accredited
certification programme for veterinary acupuncturists and it will help you
to find a certified acupuncture practitioner. You must contact a regular
veterinary practitioner first to be referred to a veterinary acupuncturist.
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Acupuncture Practitioners:
Greenway Veterinary Acupuncture 07952 536597
41 Hampden Avenue
Thame
Oxfordshire
OX9 2DT
Home Visit
Home-visiting acupuncture referal service for equine, canine and feline
patients
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Lone Star Veterinary Acupuncture 01594 530308
Timothy Lodge
St Briavels, Nr Lydney
Gloucestershire
GL15 6SW
In House
Vet certified by International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. We work with
your family vet to ensure your animal receives the best combination of
conventional medicine and acupuncture.
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