What is acupuncture?

The word acupuncture is derived from Latin stems: Acus meaning needle and punctura meaning puncture. The technique is most commonly recognized as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and involves piercing the skin with fine metal needles in order to relieve symptoms, cure diseases and promote health. The use of acupuncture in China dates back at least 3000 years.

In the UK, acupuncture for an animal is an act of Veterinary Surgery and can only be legally performed by a veterinary surgeon. Sarah our vet is a member of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists.

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes all human body parts as being connected by channels known as meridians, and the acupuncture points are found on these. There are 12 major bilaterally distributed meridians and each meridian is linked to an organ. There are 8 extra meridians, which are not associated with organs, the most important of these is the Conception Vessel, which runs down the centre of the front of the body and the Governing Vessel, which runs down the centre of the back.

The most commonly used acupuncture points in animals are shown on the diagram.

The specific effects of Acupuncture needling are mediated through stimulation of the peripheral nervous system (nerves in the skin/muscle) and neuromodulation within the central nervous system (messages sent to the brain and then the release of endorphins – natural pain relievers).

The needles are well tolerated by all species.

Summary of Actions and Effects

• Pain Relief – acute/chronic/muscuoskeletal
• Viseral Pain and dysfunction i.e. Abdominal pain, Megacolon, incontinence, cystitis
• Pruritus (itching)
• Wound Healing i.e. Acral Lick Granulomas
• Anti-sickness
• Stroke rehabilitation
• Improved immune system

last updated 08/03/2009