b"(This page/opposite page): Acupuncturetreatment for Yasha, a patient ofCountry Oaks Animal Hospital.How can these complex physiologicresponses to acupuncture be used tohelp our pets?Pain Management is one of themost common indications foracupuncture, in humans and animals.It can be used alone or in combina-tion with traditional techniques forpain associated with arthritis, hipdysplasia, surgery, cancer, trauma orinjury and intervertebral disk disease,Whats The Point? a common and very painful conditionof the spine. It can also be used forpain not associated with the muscu-by Dr. Elizabeth Baird, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, CVMA loskeletal system such as painWhen ancient art meets modern science, giving us the best of both worlds. associated with the bladder,pancreas and other organs.Acupuncture may conjure up images of a living porcupine or maybring forth a warm, fuzzy feeling if you've had an acupuncture Neurological problems suchtreatment yourself. Have you wondered what it's all about and as loss of motor function due to aruptured disk or trauma to a nervehow it might help your pet? can respond very well to acupuncture.Acupuncture is a therapeutic option for many veterinary health problems, most espe-cially pain. It was originally believed to be based on energy flow through the body and Skin problems such as lick granu-itspracticehasbeendocumentedoverthousandsofyears. Theprimarygoalof lomas or hot spots may respond nicelyacupuncture is to encourage the body to heal itself through guided stimulation. Today, to acupuncture.the science is pretty clear and much of the benefit of acupuncture can be verified withfunctional MRI. The use of acupuncture in veterinary care is a more recent applica- Gastrointestinal problemstion of this ancient art of healing. Acupuncture treatment is now used successfully in such as nausea, diarrhea and digestivevirtually every species, from dogs and cats to rabbits, lizards, snakes, horses, goats and imbalances can respond to themany exotic species.increased blood flow and stimulationThe benefits of acupuncture treatments have been observed and well- of acupuncture.documented in both human and veterinary subjects:Acupuncture stimulates the release of the bodys own pain relieving Respiratory problems such assubstances such as endorphins. asthma can benefit from the neuro-Acupuncture can stimulate the release of anti-inflammatory substances modulation and anti-inflammatoryto facilitate pain relief and healing. effects of acupuncture.Muscle spasms and myofascial trigger points in the muscles can bereleased at the site of needle insertion. Elimination disorders such asAcupuncture stimulates tissue blood flow, oxygenation and removal fecal and urinary incontinence canof metabolic wastes and toxins. be addressed with acupuncture &During acupuncture, very thin needles are carefully inserted to stimulate nerves electroacupuncture.in specific locations or acupuncture points. These acupuncture points are located atplaces where nerves are accessible and quite often are locations where nerve bundles Preventive care programand blood vessels come together. The subsequent stimulation at the acupuncture (as is common in China) includingpoint, impacts correlating organs or areas of the body based on the specific acupunc- helping athletes (agility, dock diving,ture point. lure coursing) stay in top physicalOn a physiologic level, a great deal happens when those skinny little needles are condition.inserted. The effect of acupuncture is referred to as neuromodulationa complexseries of events that occur with appropriate acupuncture point stimulation.62THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com"