What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture may be defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body with a specific method, resulting in a therapeutic homeostatic effect.  The specific point on the body is called "Shu-xu" or acupuncture point (acutpoint).  The ancient Chinese people discovered 361 acupoints in human beings and 173 acupoints in animals.

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in the areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles and lymphatic vessels.  Most acupoint are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that stimulation of acupoints are induce release of beta-endorphin, serotonin and other neurotransmitters.  Therefore, acupuncture for pain relief is well supported by these scientific studies.  As more studies are conducted, the mechanism of this ancient therapy will be better understood

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What Disorders can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture can treat many disorders.  The following are some of the disorders.

Musculoskeletal
Dermatologic
Neurological
Opthalmological
Behavior
Cardiac
Pulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Renal
Reproductive
Endocrine
Immunological
Neoplastic

Is Acupuncture Painful?

http://www.blaisveterinaryhospital.comThis is a question I'm often asked.  I'll go through the various arguments with you here to let you see all sides of the argument.  The first thing to say is that it is impossible to put a needle through the skin without provoking some sensation.

It is not always painful, but can sometimes be a sharp sensation.  If the acupuncturist has chosen a point that is very blocked, then sometimes stimulation of the point when the needle gets through the skin is uncomfortable.

So why do we do it if it is painful sometimes?  Answer:  The benefits outweigh the mild discomfort of the treatment.  The first thing vets are taught that all animal and human healers learn is 'First, do no harm'.

In most cases, after the insertion of the needles, the pet will lay very comfortably on the table or on the clients lap until the treatment is over.

History of Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCVM

https://www.facebook.com/blaisveterinaryhospitalclinicindianapa/http://www.blaisveterinaryhospital.comAcupuncture was developed in southern China and moxibusion (where needles or skin is heated) was developed in northern China. Herbal medicines was developed in western China, and massage and acupressure techniques in central China.

These were all brought together during this reign as 'Traditional Chinese Medicine'.  It is said that doctors of this ancient time were paid by how many healthy people they had on their books.  This seems to be a very good idea, perhaps one that could help our modern medicine!

Animal acupuncture is nearly as old as human acupuncture.  Horses were incredily important at the time.  Their primary role was as war machines to help the feuding armies fight and mobilise resources.  Horses were also used in agricultrue on the wealthier farms.  To have a horse acupuncturist was as important then as the Royal Army Engeneers are today; no transport, no war!

Only during the last 30 years has attention been paid to the acupuncture treatment of cats and dogs.  In the 1070's, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society was launched in the United Staes.  Practitioners spouted up all over the world dealing with all types of species.  The last three decades has seen a massive boom in the popularity of small animal (pet) and equine acupuncture all over the world.  There are now practioners in nearly every country on the planet using basic needling techniques to sophisticated laser gadgetry to stimulate acupoints.  Pets and horses throughout the world are now benefiting from this wonderful Chinese healing art.

Acupuncture is a treatment method for all species, as well as humans, developed in the Orient over the last 3,500 years.As very practical peoples, they discovered that they  could stimulate healing within the body by stimulating certain special points, "acupoints", with 15 cm bian stone needles.  The Chinese believe that energy, or Qi (pronounced 'Chi') circulates around the body maintaining the vitality and health of all tissues.  When this Qi flow is blocked, disease flourishes.  These blockages can occur, according to Traditional Chinese philosphy through trauma, scars, or through exposure to 'pathogenic factors' such as wind, damp, and cold.  Huang Ti, the Yellow Emperor, warrior, road building, astronomer and author of "Huang Ti Nei Ching" (Yello Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine') wrote in China around 2,700 BC.

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Veterinary Acupuncture

Modern Western Medicine has come to conclusions, in the last few centuries, similar to those realized by their Chinese counterparts 2,000 years ago.  Their investigation technique is called Science.  From the anatomical and physiological studies doctors have worked out how blood flows, how the immune system  works and how the nervous system controls is all.  Where Traditional Chinese Medicine theory says you have blockages of energy flow, modern medicine could describe this as poor blood circulation leading to fibrositis if in the muscles, angina if in the heart and strokes if in the brain.  Western medicine uses drugs to combat these effects where the Chinese would use needles and herbs.  Needling carefully chosen acupoints has been shown, scientifically, to release morphone-like substances called 'endorphins' and to change the way the brain and the nervous system recognizes an area of disease.  It is as if acupuncture has a re-educating effect on the body dealing badly with and injured limb or diseased organ.  So, waking up of the immune system, the circulatory system and focusing this new activity through carefully repeated needling seems to be the physical effect of acupuncture.  It must be said that the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach can often work better than the high-tech scientific approach!  This is especially true when dealing with longstanding disease.

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Dogs and Cats Don’t Wear Shoes

Dogs and Cats Don’t Wear Shoes

Dogs and Cats and No Shoes

Summer is coming to an end but the weather this past week has been hot with little rain.  The growth of weeds in the yard may have slowed.    Just in case the weeds are getting wild and pesticide use is an option of choice, pets don’t wear shoes to protect them from harmful chemicals and residue.  Pesticides can absorb through the pets paws and if they lick their paws they ingest the pesticide and can become very ill.  So checking the label for pet safety is always a safe rule of thumb.  Usually, there is a time frame on the label for your pet’s safety.  This will help keep your pet out of harm’s way and by your side for a very long time.  Unless, of course your pet does wear shoes?
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Blais Veterinary Hospital Saves Dog With Aneurysm

A very nice dog came into our office last week.  The owner had found a lump.  With a thorough exam and x rays we consulted with the owner and decided to operate.  What we found was an aneurysm. We ended up removing the liver and the aneurysm.  The dog is doing well.  Aneurysm's blow and the pet can bleed to death.  The aneurysm was removed in the nick of time.  As "bad things can happen to good dogs."  This was one "Lucky Dog!"Blais Veterinary Hospital Saves Dog With Aneurysmhttp://blaisvet.blogspot.com/
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