Ashworth Veterinary Group
60 Bridge Road, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0HP United Kingdom
Tel: 01252 542121
Acupuncture sessions will be run by Annelise Underwood at our Sandhurst surgery. Please feel free to call any time to discuss your pet’s case and whether acupuncture may be of benefit. .
Ashworth Veterinary Group
60 Bridge Road, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0HP United Kingdom
Tel: 01252 542121
60 Bridge Road, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0HP United Kingdom
Tel: 01252 542121
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
The term acupuncture is from the Latin ‘acus’ meaning ‘needle’ and ‘punctura’ meaning ‘to perforate’. Acupuncture in its simplest sense, is the treatment of conditions or symptoms by the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body in order to produce a response.
Veterinary applications were recognised in the1950’s and these have grown rapidly. It is now a widely accepted form of both complementary and in some cases alternative therapy.
How does acupuncture work?
Western medical acupuncture is considered to work in a number of ways:
· sensory nerve stimulation –inhibits transmission of pain impulses
· blood vessel dilation
· blood vessel growth
· nerve growth
· pain modulation – through local effects and segmental effects within the spinal cord
· endorphin (natural pain killers) release
· relief of muscular spasms
What conditions are most often treated with acupuncture?
The main veterinary application is perhaps effective pain control, particularly in cases of chronic pain such as degenerative joint disease (arthritis) and other musculoskeletal disorders.
It also has applications in other areas such as dermatology, gastrointestinal disease and urinary problems.
How safe is acupuncture?
Acupuncture should never be administered without a proper veterinary diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of your pet’s condition.
There are very few conditions or medications that preclude the use of acupuncture. In general it can very safely be effectively combined with most conventional therapies and an integrated approach to your pets condition is often best.
Adverse reactions are rare but can include:
· Mild transient bruising, bleeding or swelling at the needle insertion site
· Mild worsening of your pet’s condition for a short time–usually for 24-48 hours
· Difficulty removing needles due to muscular spasm
· Infection at the needle site
· Your pet may become slightly sleepy immediately post treatment
What does a course of treatment involve?
Treatment usually consists of an initial course of four acupuncture sessions at weekly intervals. Depending on your pet’s condition these may last between 30 and 60 minutes. Further treatment sessions can then be arranged at suitable intervals for yourself and your pet.
Treatment involves insertion of very fine needles into specific sites within the muscles. The needles used are very fine and any pain response is usually minimal. You may stay with your pet for the duration of the treatment, or if you prefer leave your pet with us for the treatment period. Very excitable or aggressive animals may in extreme cases require sedation.
Duration of needling will initially be 10-15 minutes but this may be varied in subsequent treatments. Gentle manipulation of the needles may also be undertaken. The number of needles will vary from 4-6 in initial sessions with up to 20 in subsequent sessions.
Each treatment session your pet will be thoroughly reassessed. The treatment plan may alter from week to week based on this assessment and your observations of your pet between sessions. This may be changes to acupuncture sites used, number of sites used or length of treatment period.
Response to treatment is variable both in time scale and intensity. Some individuals may respond after one treatment session, other may take three to four sessions to show any improvement. A small minority of animals may show little or no response.
What is the cost of acupuncture?
Treatment costs are £50 for the initial session and £35 for subsequent sessions. A course of four sessions therefore totals £155.
Please check your insurance cover – may companies now provide some degree of cover for alternative therapies. Please note there may be separate excess payable.
How do I know if acupuncture has benefited my pet?
The most obvious effect is relief of pain – or reduction in spasm and stiffness of muscle. Posture and gait may improve – stiffness, ability to rise/jump and lameness may all improve.
Many beneficial effects may be subtle and behavioural in nature. Changes in demeanour, keenness to play and exercise, improved activity levels, reduction in lethargy and anxious behaviours.
How do I arrange acupuncture for my pet or get further information?
Ashworth Veterinary Group
60 Bridge Road, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0HP United Kingdom
Tel: 01252 542121
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