ON ANY ORDER $49 OR MORE
Applied automatically at checkout
Some exclusions apply. Free shipping on orders over $49 will be automatically applied at checkout for delivery within the continental US only. International shipping rates and shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will be calculated based on order’s size, weight, and final destination. Oversized and drop ship products such as: Refurbished products are not included.
Canine Acupuncture is an alternative method for treating a dog’s pain. It relieves discomfort and promotes overall well-being.
During an acupuncture therapy session, a certified professional places thin needles at strategic points of a dog’s body to stimulate nerves and muscles. Although veterinary science doesn’t entirely understand how or why acupuncture works the way it does, there are clear benefits including:
Acupuncture is incredibly relaxing and makes a pet feel good. The treatment can be so relaxing that many dogs fall asleep during acupuncture therapy.
Electroacupuncture (EA) is similar to traditional acupuncture. In both forms of acupuncture needles are placed to concentrate on nerve endings, and lymphatic vessels to help lower nerve and muscle pain.
According to Dr. Nicki Cohen, DVM DABVP of Vet Helpful, “Electroacupuncture uses a small electric current between pairs of acupuncture needles to increase the treatment stimulation to the site. Electroacupuncture is often chosen over traditional acupuncture to treat IVDD. EA was studied in patients treated medically for IVDD and was found to significantly improve time-to-recovery-of-function (walking), and deep pain perception. In one study, the success rate for recovery was 30% improved in patients treated with electroacupuncture over traditional western medicine alone.”
In electroacupuncture therapy, the electrical currents pass between a pair of needles to stimulate the nerve endings deep below the acupuncture points for deeper healing. During EA therapy the technician will insert several pairs of needles at one time. Each pair of acupuncture needles may have varying frequencies and intensities. The location that the needle is placed is determined based on the condition being treated.
A study by Dr. Hayashi, DVM found dogs with IVDD that used electroacupuncture were less likely to need high dose painkillers and had measurably less pain 36 hours after treatment. Another study concluded that combining electroacupuncture with traditional western medicines resulted in a shorter recovery time for IVDD, and the dogs became ambulatory much faster than dogs who did not have acupuncture.
For dogs with IVDD, acupuncture needles help to reduce swelling and spinal pain. As a result, this therapy helps decrease spinal cord compression and helps to restore nerves.
Your veterinarian or a specialist can determine the right therapies for your pet. Many medical conditions benefit from acupuncture treatments:
Acupuncture is just one alternative therapy available. Acupuncture could be one of many therapies that may be part of your dog’s treatment plan.
I’m really glad you said that it can help with pain relief. My cat has been struggling with arthritis for the past couple of months now, so I wanted to do some research on different treatment options she could try for her pain. I appreciate you helping me learn more about the advantages of acupuncture for pets. I’ll have to look into seeing if it can help my cat.