Acupuncture
VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Douglas Lemire (certified by IVAS)
Acupuncture is defined as the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body to produce physiological effects—analgesia(pain control), anesthesia, etc. According to Chinese medical philosophy, the flow of Chi energy is interrupted in areas of pathology. Acupuncture balances the flow of energy to these areas, allowing the body to heal to itself and return to a state of harmony. The practice of acupuncture can be traced back 2,000 yrs. ago. Specific acupuncture points can be measured as areas on the skin that have increased electrical conductivity and are present near nerve endings.
The basis of Traditional Chinese Theory is that the energy force or Chi consists of 2 aspects—yin and yang energy that flows through channels or meridians of the bogy and through organs. Imbalances between yin and yang may be caused by external factors(wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness) or internal factors(joy, anger, stress). Classically there are 361 acupuncture points. Meridians connect points having related functions. Points can be be stimulated through needles, pressure, heat(moxibustion), laser, electrical stimulation, injections of vit. B12 or sterile saline and implantation devices such as gold.
Acupuncture can be used to treat many types of conditions, especially arthritis, neurologic disorders, reproductive cases, gastrointestinal conditions, respiratory, skin or cardiovascular conditions. It can incorporate well with conventional medicine and become complementary to it but it allows one to possibly reduce drug dosages and help increase the well being of the animal patient.
