Welcome to Dr Lindsey Wedemeyer's Veterinary Acupuncture Lens
Read on to learn more about acupuncture for animals and find out about a new ebook on acupuncture for dogs, written by a veterinarian certified in acupuncture and with many years of experience in the field of veterinary acupuncture and holistic medicine.
Contents at a Glance
- Doesn't Acupuncture Hurt Animals??
- How is Acupuncture Done on Animals?
- A patient relaxes during his acupuncture treatment (needles circled)
Doesn't Acupuncture Hurt Animals??
This is most people's first thought when acupuncture on animals is mentioned!However, the majority of people who have had acupuncture themselves will tell you that in fact, it doesn't hurt at all. People report feeling warmth or tingling, but not pain.
Many animals fall asleep during acupuncture, and happily greet their veterinary acupuncturist when he/she arrives; they would not do this if acupuncture hurt!
How is Acupuncture Done on Animals?
Acupuncture on animals is done using sterilised single-use needles. These are only 0.18-0.25mm wide. As explained above, it is rarely painful and over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture. With their owner/handler to comfort and reassure, the vast majority of animals relax and tolerate acupuncture very well. Treatment in the patient's own home/yard rather than in a veterinary surgery is also very helpful in reducing fear of treatment and the vet!Acupuncture is very safe when conducted by a qualified practitioner. In the UK, and most US states, only qualified veterinary surgeons may administer acupuncture.
A patient relaxes during his acupuncture treatment (needles circled)
What Conditions in Animals Benefit From Acupuncture?
Acupuncture can effectively help a wide variety of problems from arthritis and skin allergies to respiratory and heart conditions. Infections, allergies, degenerative disorders and many others can be improved with a good combination of acupuncture and the best of conventional western medicine. Acupuncture is of particular use in treating chronic painful conditions (for example in older animals). Here it can be used either to supplement conventional medicine or where conventional treatment is proving inadequate to control the symptoms or pain seen.In some cases where conventional medicine is unsuccessful, a patient may be treated successfully with acupuncture (possibly with Chinese herbs) alone. However, in many conditions the best results are achieved with a combination of acupuncture and conventional medicine. Use of acupuncture may allow a reduced dose of a conventional drug to be used (therefore reducing side effects), alleviate side effects (for example nausea produced by chemotherapy for cancer) and produce a faster improvement than conventional drugs alone.
Would You Like to Learn More About Acupuncture for Dogs?
Click here for more information!
Order my eBook to learn more about acupuncture for dogs!
Check out my Other Lenses on Complementary Veterinary Medicine
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Chinese Herbal Veterinary Medicine
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Herbal medicine is a popular form of complementary, or alternative, medicine for people. Increasing numbers of veterinarians are realizing its benefits for animals, and becoming trained in herbal medicine for animals. Chinese herbal medicine is disti...
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Bach Rescue Remedy for Animals
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Rescue Remedy is a mixture of five Bach Flower Essences, which naturally and safely treats stress, anxiety, fear, depression, grief and similar emotions in animals. It is useful for treating problems such as separation anxiety, fear of the veterinari...
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Tui Na - Healing Massage Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Tui Na is an ancient Chinese form of massage and is one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although it may appear to resemble western massage, Tui Na massage works on the same specific points and channels as acupuncture. According...
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Acupuncture Techniques - Gold Bead Implantation
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Gold bead implantation is a modern application of acupuncture, one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern research has proved that acupuncture does indeed have health benefits, and gold bead implantation combines ancient acupunc...
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Complementary, or Alternative, Veterinary Medicine - Holistic Care for your Animal
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Complementary medicine is a popular choice for people looking for a more natural form of medicine, or other options in conditions where conventional medical treatment is inadequate or has too many side effects. Animals can also benefit from these the...
My Other Lenses About Acupuncture For Animals
- Equine Acupuncture - Acupuncture for Horses
- More about acupuncture, specifically for horses
- Canine Acupuncture - Acupuncture for Dogs
- More about acupuncture, specifically for dogs
- Feline Acupuncture - Acupuncture for Cats
- More about acupuncture, specifically for cats
- Acupuncture for Rabbits - Holistic Chinese Medicine for Rabbits
- More about acupuncture, specifically for rabbits
- Acupuncture for Cattle
- More about acupuncture, specifically for cows
Acupuncture Books on Amazon
If you'd like to find out more about acupuncture in general
Acupressure's Potent Points: a Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments
Amazon Price: $14.28 (as of 07/12/2009) 
Acupressure for Emotional Healing: A Self-Care Guide for Trauma, Stress, & Common Emotional Imbalances
Amazon Price: $14.28 (as of 07/12/2009)
Complete Idiot's Guide to Acupuncture and Acupressure
Amazon Price: $14.21 (as of 07/12/2009)
Acupressure Techniques: A Self-Help Guide
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/12/2009)
Acupuncture for Everyone: What It Is, Why It Works, and How It Can Help You
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/12/2009)
Guestbook
Please leave your comments and let me know how you liked my Veterinary Acupuncture lens!
sisterra wrote...
Excellent lens. Something to think of if my cat's knee doesn't improve with Cosequin.
Posted August 28, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
My husband's Quarter Horse has only had one treatment so far, but it made a huge difference already. The vet is coming again next week for another round. It was fascinating to watch, I didn't realize that you could use Flower Essences on the ends of the needles before inserting them for different effects and she introduced me to a few new remedies as well. I've got a list of questions all written out that I want to ask her when she comes back out.
Posted July 30, 2008
