4 Things To Know About Acupuncture For Your Pet

Alternative medicine is not just for people; alternative medicine can be a useful way to treat your pets as well. One form of alternative medicine that your pets can use is acupuncture.

How It Works

Acupuncture with animals is very similar to acupuncture with humans. Special acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points on your animal's body. These points on your animal's body are pre-determined acupuncture points on your animal's body that line up with specific blood vessels, muscles, and energy fields. These points are different for each animal and are based on your animal's unique anatomy.

The needles are inserted at specific points on your pet's body in order to release endorphins. These endorphins are designed to help open up blood vessels. Opening up your pet's blood vessels is designed to increase the oxygen and nutrients in your pet's blood so that more oxygen and nutrients are flowing around your pet's muscles and joints.

How Your Pet Feels

For your pet, this is a very relaxing process. Your pet may feel a little sensation as the needle goes in. The needle goes into the top layer of your pet's skin; it does not go deep into your pet's skin. It is common for the needle to slide out of your pet's skin on its own at the end of the treatment session.

Your pet may experience a little pain if they have a big knot or muscle spasm near where the needle is inserted into their body. This is not a common effect though.

How Long the Sessions Last

The length of your acupuncture session for your pet can really vary depending on the specific needs of your pet. A session could be nice and quick and over in fifteen minutes, or a session could last around an hour.

Keep in mind that your pet is going to need multiple acupuncture sessions in order to treat whatever is ailing it. It is going to take multiple acupuncture sessions for your pet's condition to be treated; acupuncture is more like physical therapy ā€“ it takes a while for it to be completely effective.

How It Helps Your Pet

Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of different alignments for your pet. For instance, although declaw procedures and neutering/spaying surgeries are quite common, you pet can be quite sore afterwards. Acupuncture can speed up healing and provide a pain-relieving effect without the need for extra painkillers. Acupuncture is also used to treat conditions such as sore joints, arthritis, weakness, slipped disks, digestive problems, kidney problems, weakened immune systems, paralysis, respiratory problems, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy. 

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