What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the
practice of inserting fine, sterile, solid needles into the body to prevent and
treat pain and disease. Acupuncture has been practiced for over 3000 years in
China and is now being used worldwide in veterinary and human medicine. It has
been proven to work, providing symptom relief in human patients in a range of
conditions and is now recognised as a very useful treatment in a wide range of
veterinary conditions.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works
through the nervous system. Inserting acupuncture needles stimulates tiny nerve
endings that carry impulses to the spinal cord and brain. This results in
responses within the nervous and endocrine systems, leading to the release of
neurotransmitters and hormones. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture
helps to reset the body’s normal functioning.
Will it hurt my horse?
Acupuncture needles
stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are
trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message
to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes horses may react to this
sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not
occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become
relaxed and sometimes sleepy during the treatment.
Would my horse need to be sedated for this treatment?
It is common for
horses to need to be sedated. Although the treatment is not painful, horses can
on a small number of occasions react to the needling so sedating prior to
treatment is standard at Chiltern Equine Clinic.
How often would my horse be treated?
The usual course is
once a week for four weeks. After four weeks we will assess whether acupuncture
is working for your horse and then, depending on the condition and how they
have responded, we will work out a plan that usually involves reducing the
frequency of the treatment whilst ensuring that the effect is maintained for as
long as possible.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very
safe in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon
in animals. There have been no official reports of problems in animals, but
there are some in humans and these can usually be avoided with care and a good
knowledge of anatomy. There are a very few cases in which we would have to be
very cautious about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist can
advise you of these.
What kinds of conditions are treated with acupuncture?
Pain is the most
common indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with
arthritis, muscle strains or pain secondary to kissing spines. Other kinds of
pain may also respond. Clinical signs that may be alleviated by acupuncture
include: stiffness, inability to bend on one or both reins, shortness of
stride, irritability and soreness, cold backs, “hopping” or bucking during
transitions.
Other conditions
that may be helped by acupuncture include;
What can I expect during treatment?
After examination,
needles will be put into various parts of the body and may be moved or
stimulated a few times. There is not a set dose of acupuncture as there is for
medication, so your vet will judge how much to do based on your horse’s
response both at the time and after the treatment.
And after the treatment?
It is not uncommon
for some horses to be sleepy or sedated after treatment. Your horse should not
be turned out until it seems completely back to normal. This is a good sign and
shows that your horse will probably respond well to acupuncture, but do not
worry if they are not sleepy - this does not mean that they will not respond.
Horses should not be ridden for 24 hours after acupuncture and no competition
should be scheduled for several days after treatment especially during the
initial phase of treatment.
Otherwise treat
your horse normally after acupuncture. Do not change exercise, diet or
medication unless it has been discussed with your vet.
What about response?
Your horse may show
one of three responses to treatment:
They may seem a
little stiffer or more uncomfortable. This just means that the dose was a bit
too much, but also shows that they should respond to treatment. After a day or
two they will improve again and should be better than before. However, you must
tell your vet so that they can adjust the treatment next time.
You may see no
response. This is always disappointing but does not mean your horse will not
respond; it may just be that they will take a little longer or that their
improvement after the first treatment was too brief or small for you to see. We
cannot say that they will not respond until after the fourth treatment. Not all
animals or humans are acupuncture responders, but about 80% will be.
You may see an
improvement. This may occur anytime in the three days after treatment. The
signs that we are trying to treat may then return before the next treatment,
but this is fine. After each subsequent treatment the effects should last for longer,
so that your horse may eventually not need more treatments for some time.