Acupuncture can be used to treat both painful and neurological conditions in dogs and horses. It involves the placing of thin, sterile needles along certain anatomical locations in the body.

Acupuncture works by helping neurological communications within the body. It has effects along the pain pathways from the spinal cord up to the brain, making it a drug-free alternative for painful conditions.

 Neurological and painful conditions treated successfully include:

• Inter-vertebral disc disease
• Cervical myopathy (neck pain)
• Osteoarthritis / degenerative joint disease
• Hind end weakness
• Back pain
• Lumbosacral disease
• Hip dysplasia

Animals receiving regular acupuncture treatments often need less drug therapy, which reduces the stress on an animal’s liver and kidneys. This makes acupuncture an idea treatment choice for the geriatric patient.

For some conditions, electro-acupuncture may be the most beneficial- sending an electrical current down the needle.

Most animals tolerate acupuncture quite well, relaxing or even sleeping during their treatment sessions.