For about 4,000 years, Chinese tradition has been using acupuncture to remedy various ailments, considered as an imbalance of “Quiâ€. Acupuncture involves the use of therapeutic needles to target specific points in your body to activate the “Qui†or the energy that keeps everything in harmony all throughout your body. There are various spas and Chinese therapeutic centers that offer this service and it is a very good alternative for medical solutions. These days, acupuncture is not only exclusive to humans anymore. Believe it or not, acupuncture can be performed on pets, too, especially your dog.
Acupuncture for dogs is getting more and more popular to dog owners. Acupoints are used as the channels for attaching the needles. In dogs, more than 360 acupoints have already been recognized. As years went by, variations of acupuncture were developed. Here are the various spin-off of acupuncture for dogs that you just might want to consider for your pet:
1. Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture still uses acupuncture needles in the therapy for your dog. The special add-on to this procedure is the process of PENS or Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Electric impulses get passed through the needles. Because of the electric currents, the stimulation is increased. Pain is often relieved using this method. After the session, your pet dog will surely feel a lot better because of better health, eradicated pain, and a much better sense of well-being.
2. Aquapuncture
This is a variation of acupuncture that is a lot more invasive. This procedure involves the injection of vitamin B12 that is saline-diluted right into the acupuncture point.
3. Acupressure
In acupuncture for dogs, the acupoints are targeted. Acupressure also targets these acupoints but by using manual pressure or the use of finger pressure and not needles. This could prove very stimulating for your dog because they love to be touched all the time. With the proper acupoints targeted, your dog’s well-being will surely be improved a whole lot.
4. Sonopuncture
This variation of acupuncture for dogs uses very high frequency sound waves instead. Dogs are very sensitive to sound, so this could really be of help to them. The specific acupoints in your dog will be gently stimulated by the sound waves by not directly touching them by any tactile means. Â It is also not invasive so it is perfectly safe for your pet.
5. Laserpuncture
Acupoints are also targeted by laserpuncture but, of course, laser is used.
In acupuncture for dogs, surgically implanting sterile surgical staples, gold beads, or magnets to the specific acupoints will provide a much more permanent or fixed points of stimulation. This will give your dog a much more stable flow of good “Quiâ€.
Acupuncture for dogs is very effective in treating various conditions. If you would want to try this procedure, then remember the following noted ailments that acupuncture for dogs treat:
a)Â Â Â Â Â Skin diseases
If your dog is suffering from allergic dermatitis and other topical diseases, then acupressure for dogs could just be the right solution that you have been waiting for.
b)Â Â Â Â Â Musculoskeletal disorders
Acupuncture for dogs also treat a myriad of musculoskeletal conditions such as slipped disk, arthritis (chronic), soreness of muscles, back pain, degenerative joint disease, and hip dysplasia. Of course, other conventional treatments should also be considered like surgery but it won’t hurt to consider acupuncture for dogs first.
c)Â Â Â Â Â Â GI (gastrointestinal) conditions
Some such conditions are (IBS) inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and vomiting. GI conditions are very common ailments that dogs experience because they love to eat or chew on things. So, if you want to try acupuncture for dogs before trying any surgical or medical solution, go right ahead.
d)Â Â Â Â Â Neurological conditions
Paralysis, seizure, trauma to the spinal chord, and epilepsy are some of the neurological conditions that acupuncture for dogs treats.
e)Â Â Â Â Â Respiratory diseases
Acupuncture for dogs treat respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, URI (upper respiratory infections), coughs, and asthma could be effectively.
f)Â Â Â Â Â Â Pain
Chronic and pre- & post-operative pains could also be treated by acupuncture for dogs because of the corrected balance and flow of energy.
g)Â Â Â Â Â Other ailments
Kidney ailments, behavioral conditions, thyroid conditions, and geriatric conditions are also corrected by acupuncture for dogs.
Acupuncture for dogs is a very effective way of handling various conditions that your pet dogs may have. The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture manages the overall system of using acupuncture as a means of achieving optimal health for your pets. Make sure that you consult with your veterinarian to make sure that you have everything covered before you have your loving dog undergo any conventional or alternative treatment.