Acupuncture for Dogs (Alternative Medicine)

Acupuncture is an alternative to drug therapy that has been around for thousands of years. It involves inserting thin needles into specific parts of the body to relieve pain. You have probably seen this form of traditional Chinese medicine practiced on humans in plenty of television shows and movies. Did you know that the same therapy is available for your dog?

The same principles used in human acupuncture can also be applied to dogs for various ailments. If your dog has difficulty eating or playing, this could mean that they are not feeling their best. A veterinary acupuncturist can help treat your dog without using prescriptions, or acupuncture therapy can be used simultaneously with conventional medicine.

The following conditions are known to be treated with dog acupuncture:

● Musculoskeletal diseases: If your dog is experiencing muscle pain or suffers from a degenerative joint disease like osteoarthritis, or other muscular or skeletal conditions, seek the help of a veterinary acupuncturist.

● Urinary and gastrointestinal disorders: Dogs that have a hard time urinating and suffer from urinary incontinence, as well as gastrointestinal problems such stool disfunction, gastroenteritis, or vomiting, can be treated with acupuncture.

● Other neurological disorders like a coma or paralysis are known to be treated with acupuncture.

● Inflammatory skin conditions such as allergies can also be treated with acupuncture.

● Acupuncture has been shown to relieve pain, along with the side effects caused by cancer treatment.

In addition to treatment, acupuncture is known to also boost your dog’s immune system. Note, it is not ideal for acute conditions related to severe bacterial infections and emergencies like broken bones. Be sure to get a veterinarian who is legally licensed as a dog acupuncturist. An unqualified vet could cause more damage than good.