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Acupuncture therapy has been around for over 3000 years. Acupuncture has been used on animals for over 2000 years. It was originally developed in Asia and has been mastered over the years by many different countries. Also known as a type of "alternative" or "holistic" medicine, it is currently being referred to more frequently and accurately as "complementary medicine", as it really is a complement to Western Medicine.
Acupuncture generally involves the placement of needles into specific regions of the body, or acupuncture points. These acupuncture points are beds of neural and vascular tissue, that, when stimulated, cause the body to release many chemicals in response to needle placement, some of which act very quickly (endorphins) and others which may take several days to exert their effects (prostaglandins, interleukins etc.).
In my practice I typically use what is referred to as "dry needling" for my first acupuncture visit. This involves insertion of acupuncture needles with limited to
Though most horses tolerate and respond to acupuncture very well, some can be quite sensitive to needle placement and/or extrusion. Horses that are sensitive during the first treatment are generally not nearly as sensitive in subsequent treatments, as the effects of acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, are additive and well-remembered.
These "chemicals" are instrumental in the alleviation of pain and the acceleration of healing. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory behind this can be quite abstract and involved, but if you would like more information you can visit http://www.acupuncture.com.
Manipulative therapy, known to most as chiropractics or spinal therapy, involves the manipulation of joints in order to place them back into their normal range of motion. When joints are operating outside of their normal range of motion (subluxated) they can be quite painful, causing the muscles and soft tissue structures in the area to be sore from the added strain, and can lead to further advancement of arthritis, as the joints can become quite irritated, inciting a sometimes profound inflammatory response.
I find in my practice that a lot of hind limb "lamenesses" and gait abnormalities can be attributed to the spine and related structures. Sometimes the spinal issues are secondary to more significant underlying musculoskeletal issues (hock/stifle pain, etc.), so it is important to address the primary issue(s) before expecting the secondary spinal issues to resolve.
There are many different methods of adjusting horses. Trained through the
Options For Animals chiropractic course, I use very passive and direct adjusting techniques to minimize the amount of trauma and injury. I do NOT practice long-lever techniques.
*Adjusting horses can be quite dangerous so please make sure to use somebody with the proper training and credentials, or they can severely injure your horse.
In subsequent visits I may use dry needling, electroacupuncture (electrical transmission generated directly through needles), and/or "aquapuncture"
(injection of a liquid, generally Vitamin B12, into selected acupuncture points)
no needle manipulation, depending on the horse's sensitivity.
Equine Balanced Veterinary Care
Barbara S Wiborg DVM
www.dr-barbie.com
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