What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been practiced on both animals and humans for thousands of years. Acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile needles into specific acupoints to achieve a therapeutic effect. Acupoints are located in regions with a high density of free nerve endings, lymphatic vessels, small blood vessels and white blood cells. Stimulating acupoints promotes a release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, mesenchymal stem cells, and neurotransmitters to achieve healing and pain relief.
Is Acupuncture Safe and Does it Hurt?
Acupuncture is a very safe treatment when administered by trained and qualified individuals. Only licensed veterinarians are qualified to practice veterinary acupuncture in most states. Acupuncture rarely causes a pain response and over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture treatments and may even fall asleep during a session.
How Long Do Treatments Take and How Soon Should We See Results?
Each session takes between 30-60 minutes depending on the therapies administered and needs of the patient. The first session is usually the longest because it includes a consult and in depth traditional and Chinese physical exam. In most cases, results may be seen after one session, but some older patients may need up to 3 treatments approximately 2 weeks apart to appreciate results in chronic conditions. Several of our patients are on monthly schedules or are seen quarterly for maintenance.
What is a Laser Therapy?
Therapeutic lasers offer a form of phototherapy that helps to down regulate pain and heal tissues. The focused red and infrared light heals superficial and deep tissues by producing cellular energy that leads to cellular regeneration, dilation of vasculature, and collagen production which in turn promotes healing and pain relief. All lasers are not created equal. The results can be dependent on the quality of the laser. At Horse & Hound, we use a high quality laser by Multi Radiance called Activet Pro to achieve optimal results for all species large and small. Over 300 studies have been published on this laser with greater than 90% of the results supporting the positive effects of this laser on tissue healing. This laser comes equipped with a red light and blue light to offer different healing techniques.
Is Laser Therapy Safe?
Laser therapy is very safe and effective and a great compliment to acupuncture. Laser therapy will achieve many of the same goals as acupuncture but through a different modality helping patients to heal better and faster. Treatments are relaxing, non-invasive, and pain free.
Is My Animal a Good Candidate for Acupuncture, Laser or Herbal Therapies?
Through our natural approach Horse & Hound is able to use an integrative approach with your primary veterinarian to address almost every condition that an animal could be faced with:
-Performance Enhancement- competition animals
-Prevention of Disease
-Joint/Back Pain (musculoskeletal/nerve/myofascial/arthritis)
-Anhidrosis (horses)
-Infertility
-Respiratory disease
-Bruising/Hematoma
-Edema
-Tendon/Ligament Injury
-Traumatic/Overuse Injury
-Scar Tissue
-Ulcers, Skin Injury/Disease, Infection, Non-Healing Wounds
-Metabolic Disease
-Behavioral Problems
-Hoof Conditions (bone spurs, abscess, inflammation, navicular, ringbone, arthritis, laminitis, etc.)
-Inflammatory Conditions (ear infections/inflammation, anal gland inflammation, periodontal issues, hot spots, granulomas, idiopathic cystitis, nasal issues, etc.).
-Quality of Life/Palliative Care
