Accupuncture
YOUR HORSE CAN BENEFIT FROM ACUPUNCTURE
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture may be defined as the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated.
This technique has been used in veterinary practice in China for thousands of years to treat many ailments. The Chinese also use acupuncture as preventative medicine. Acupuncture is used all around the world, either alone or in conjunction with western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of animal.
Clinical research has been conducted showing positive results in the treatment of both animals and humans, and the use of acupuncture is increasing. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well when it is indicated.
For which conditions is acupuncture indicated?
Acupuncture is indicated for functional problems such as those that involve neurological deficits, noninfectious inflammation (such as allergies), and for pain relief. For horses, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:
❖ Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis, sport horse injuries, or traumatic nerve injury
❖ Respiratory problems, such as Inflammatory Airway Disease or COPD (heaves, and bleeders
❖ Skin problems such hives and allergic dermatitis
❖ Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or colic
❖ Selected reproductive problems
❖ Musculoskeletal problems such as sore backs or
tendon injuries
❖ Neurological problems such as facial paralysis
❖ Gastrointestinal problems such as nonsurgical colic
❖ Anhidrosis
In addition, regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury. World-class professional and amateur athletes often use acupuncture as a routine part of their training.
If your horses are involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping, or showing, acupuncture can help them keep in top physical condition.
How does acupuncture work?
Although acupuncture has its roots in ancient times before modern scientific methods were available with which to study it, many important studies have been done to indicate how acupuncture works and what physiologic mechanisms are involved in its actions.
Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), to examine 15 different points, the basic tenets of acupuncture have been proven. Those are that acupuncture is based upon the point selected, the method of stimulation, and the duration of stimulation.
Stimulation of these points result in specific changes in the central nervous system, not just the local nerves. It was shown that acupuncture points that have pain relieving properties associated with them, tend to activate specific pain- association brainstem regions.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) developed a consensus statement about acupuncture and its efficacy. NIH said that there was compelling evidence that acupuncture was useful in the management of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain.
In western medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid).
Although many of acupuncture’s physiological effects have been studied, many more are still unknown. Further research must be, and is being, conducted to discover more of acupuncture’s effects and its proper uses in veterinary medicine.
Is acupuncture painful?
It can be very surprising how well our horses will accept acupuncture. The larger needles necessary for our horses may cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. But, usually, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. While we do have some horses that are resistant, and needle-phobic to begin with, Dr. Garfinkel will not force a horse to accept a needle they are signaling an aversion too.
Most horses actually become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensation, presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable to some animals.
How can my horse benefit from acupuncture?
The success of the treatment will vary according to the skill of the veterinarian, the condition being treated and the number and frequency of acupuncture treatments. The length and frequency of the treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation (dry needle, electroacupuncture, aquapuncture, etc.) that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist.
A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several treatments. For sport horse soreness or a decrease in performance, Dr. Garfinkel suggests 3 treatments; with treatments 2 weeks apart, and then monthly or as needed.
How safe is acupuncture for my horse?
Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for horses when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Acupuncture should never be administered without a proper veterinary medical diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of the patient’s condition by a licensed veterinarian. This is critical because acupuncture is capable of masking pain or other clinical signs and may delay proper veterinary medical diagnosis once treatment has begun. Elimination of pain may lead to increased activity on the part of the horse, thus delaying healing or causing the original condition to worsen.
Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals become lethargic or sleepy for 24 hours. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal’s condition.
In general, acupuncture can be effectively combined with most conventional and integrative therapies. Certified Veterinary Acupuncturists have the comprehensive training, knowledge and skill to understand the interactions between different forms of treatment and to interpret the patient’s response to therapy.
The American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery.
Why should I choose Dr. Garfinkel to be my acupuncturist for my horse?
There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:
1. Your veterinary acupuncturist should be a
licensed veterinarian.
2. Your veterinary acupuncturist should have
formal training in the practice of veterinary acupuncture.
In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinarians may legally administer to animals. A veterinarian is in the best position to properly diagnose an animal’s health problem and then to determine whether the animal is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or whether its problem requires chemical, surgical, or no intervention.
Because of the differences in anatomy, and the potential for harm if the treatments are done incorrectly, only a properly trained veterinarian should perform acupuncture on animals. Proper training should include an extensive educational program. The more your veterinarian knows about traditional Chinese philosophies and western scientific basis for acupuncture the more you can be assured that your animals will be treated properly.
Dr. Garfinkel received his acupuncture certification from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, specializing in equine acupuncture.
In North America, The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society has been setting the global standard in veterinary acupuncture since 1974. The certification course in veterinary acupuncture taught by IVAS has the longest history of a comprehensive study of veterinary acupuncture in the western world.
This training, and Dr. Garfinkel’s years of equine experience, not just in veterinary medicine, but in showing at a high level in many disciplines, dealing with race horses, and his simple understanding of you and your horse’s needs, gives him a unique advantage which leads to your horse being treated successfully with acupuncture.
