Cold Laser Therapy

Acupuncture may be defined as the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response. Each pet acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for thousands of years to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as preventative medicine. Acupuncture is used all around the world, either alone or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of animal. Clinical research has been conducted, showing positive results in the treatment of both animals and humans, and the use of acupuncture is increasing. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well in some cases.

Cold laser therapy increases circulation and oxygen to damaged tissue, providing pain relief, faster healing times and decreased inflammation.

For Which Conditions is Pet Acupuncture & Cold Laser Indicated?

Acupuncture is indicated for functional problems, such as those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (such as allergies) and pain. For small animals, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:

- Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis, torn ACLs or pulled muscles
- Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
- Skin problems, such as lick granulomas and allergic dermatitis
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
- Neurologic conditions, such as degenerative diseases, chronic neurologic pain or intervertebral disc disease

How Does Veterinary Acupuncture Work?

Although acupuncture has its roots in ancient times before modern scientific methods were available with which to study it, many important studies have been done to indicate how acupuncture works and what physiologic mechanisms are involved in its actions. Using functional MRI (fMRI), to examine 15 different points, the basic tenets of acupuncture have been proven. Those are that acupuncture is based upon the point selected, the method of stimulation and the duration of stimulation. Stimulation of these points results in specific changes in the central nervous system. It was shown that acupuncture points that have pain-relieving properties associated with them tend to activate specific pain-association brainstem regions. The National Institute of Health developed a consensus statement about acupuncture and its efficacy. NIH said that there was compelling evidence that acupuncture was useful in the management of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain.

In western medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid).

Is Veterinary Acupuncture Painful?

For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The larger needles necessary for large animals may cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensations, such as tingles, cramps or numbness, which can occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable for some animals.

Is Veterinary Acupuncture Safe for Animals?

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals become lethargic or sleepy for 24 hours. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal’s condition.

How Can My Pet Benefit from Veterinary Acupuncture?

The success of the treatment will vary according to the condition being treated and the frequency of acupuncture treatments. The length and frequency of the treatments depend on the condition of the dog or cat and the method of stimulation (dry needle, electroacupuncture, aquapuncture, etc.) that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several treatments.

How Safe is Veterinary Acupuncture?

Acupuncture should never be administered without a proper veterinary medical diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of the pet’s condition by a licensed veterinarian. This is critical because acupuncture is capable of masking pain or other clinical signs, and may delay proper veterinary medical diagnosis once treatment has begun. Elimination of pain may lead to increased activity on the part of the animal, thus, delaying healing or causing the original condition to worsen.

In general, acupuncture can be effectively combined with most conventional and alternative therapies. Certified Veterinary Acupuncturists have the comprehensive training, knowledge and skill to understand the interactions between different forms of treatment, and to interpret the patient’s response to therapy.

The American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery.

How Should I Choose a Veterinary Acupuncturist for My Pet?

There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:

Your veterinary acupuncturists must be a licensed veterinarian. Your veterinary acupuncturist should have formal training in the practice of veterinary acupuncture.

In most countries, states and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is considered to be a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinarians may legally administer to animals. A veterinarian is in the best position to properly diagnose an animal’s health problem and then to determine whether the animal is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or whether its problem requires chemical, surgical or no intervention.

Because of the differences in anatomy, and the potential for harm if the treatments are done incorrectly, only a properly trained veterinarian should perform acupuncture on animals. The proper training for a veterinarian would include an extensive, post-doctoral educational program in veterinary acupuncture. The more your veterinarian knows about traditional Chinese philosophies and the western scientific basis for acupuncture, the more you can be assured that your animals will be treated properly.

Dr. Taylor Truitt trained at the world-renowned Chi Institute in Florida from 2007-2009, learning traditional Chinese acupuncture, herbology and food therapy. She believes in practicing integrative medicine by combining both western and eastern medicine for the best results.

How often should I treat my pet with cold laser therapy? And how long until I see results?

Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic problems respond better when treatments are received two to three times a week, tapering to once every week or two as improvement is seen.

Response time depends on the nature of the condition being treated. For some acute conditions, one to two treatments may be sufficient. Those of a more chronic nature may require five to eight (or more) treatments. Some conditions may require ongoing periodic care to control the pain.

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