Introduction

• The insertion of needles at specified points on defined meridian lines along the body may:
  • Stimulate nerves → inhibiting the transmission of pain impulses along them.
  • Stimulate nerves → releasing natural endorphins.
  • Cause an interaction between nerves → releasing factors from the pituitary gland → releasing natural endorphins.
  • Affect electrical activity in the body → analgesia.

Uses

Advantages

• Non-invasive.

Disadvantages

• Do not place needles in areas where there is an active infection.
• Do not place needles in known cancerous tissue.
• Avoid major blood vessels.
• Avoid use of certain points in pregnancy.
• Avoid placing needles through contaminated/dirty hair or skin.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Bossut D F (1996) Veterinary clinical applications of acupuncture. J Altern Complement Med 2 (1), 65-69 PubMed.
• Panzer R B & Chrisman C L (1994) An auricular acupuncture treatment for idiopathic canine epilepsy - a preliminary report. Am J Chin Med 22 (1), 11-7 PubMed.
• Yu C, Zhang K, Lu G et al (1994) Characteristics of acupuncture meridians and acupoints in animals. Rev Sci Tech 13 (3), 927-933 PubMed.
• Janssens L A (1993) The role of acupuncture in analgesia. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 118 (Suppl 1), 11S-12S PubMed.
• Altman S (1992) Techniques and instrumentation. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 66-87 VetMedResource.
• Altman S (1992) The incorporation of acupuncture into a small animal practice. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 223-233 PubMed.
• Dill S G (1992) Acupuncture for gastrointestinal disorders. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 144-154 PubMed.
• Durkes T E (1992) Gold bead implants. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 207-211 PubMed.
• Hwang Y C (1992) Anatomy and classification of acupoints. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 12-15 PubMed.
• Hwang Y C (1992) Acupuncture atlas. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 16-33 PubMed.
• Jaggar D (1992) History and basic introduction to veterinary acupuncture. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 1-11 PubMed.
• Janssens L A A (1992) Acupuncture for the treatment of thoracolumbar and cervical disk disease in the dog. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 107-116 VetMedResource.
• Janssens L A (1992) Trigger point therapy. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 117-124 PubMed.
• Klide A M (1992) Acupuncture Analgesia. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 22 (2), 374-379 PubMed.
• Limehouse J B (1992) Oriental concepts of acupuncture. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 53-65 PubMed.
• Lin J H & Panzer R (1992) Acupuncture for reproductive disorders. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 155-161 PubMed.
• Rogers P A, Schoen A M & Limehouse J (1992) Acupuncture for immune-mediated disorders. Literature review and clinical applications. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 162-193 PubMed.
• Schoen A M (1992) Acupuncture for musculoskeletal disorders. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 88-97 PubMed.
• Schwartz C (1992) Chronic respiratory conditions and acupuncture therapy. Probl Vet Med 4 (1) 136-143 PubMed.
• Smith F W Jr (1992) Neurophysiologic basis of acupuncture. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 34-52 PubMed.
• Smith F W Jr (1992) Acupuncture for cardiovascular disorders. Probl Vet Med 4 (1), 125-131 PubMed.
• Janssens L A (1991) Acupuncture in thoracolumbar disc disease. J S Afr Vet Assoc 62 (1), 2 PubMed.
• Robinson C (1990) Getting started in acupuncture. Aust Vet J 67 (10), N423 PubMed.
• Janssens L A & Rogers P A M (1989) Acupuncture versus surgery in canine thoracolumbar disk disease. Vet Rec 124 (11), 283 VetMedResource.
• van Niekerk J & Eckersley N (1988) The use of acupuncture in canine epilepsy. J S Afr Vet Assoc 59 (1), 5 PubMed.
• Klide A M, Farnbach G C & Gallagher S M (1987) Acupuncture therapy for the treatment of intractable, idiopathic epilepsy in dogs. Acupunct Electrother Res 12 (1), 71-74 PubMed.
• Schoen A M, Janssens L & Rogers P A (1986) Veterinary acupuncture. Semin Vet Med Surg (Small Anim) 1 (3), 224-229 PubMed.
• Williams B M (1986) Acupuncture treatment of paralysis. Vet Rec 119 (13), 340 PubMed.
• Craige J E (1985) Acupuncture for fleabite allergic dermatitis. JAVMA 187 (2), 127 PubMed.
• Altman S (1981) Clinical use of veterinary acupuncture. Vet Med Small Anim Clin 76 (9), 1307-1312 PubMed.
• Wright M & McGrath C J (1981) Physiologic and analgesic effects of acupuncture in the dog. JAVMA 178 (5), 502-507 PubMed.
• Janssens L, Altman S & Rogers P A (1979) Respiratory and cardiac arrest under general anaesthesia - treatment by acupuncture of the nasal philtrum. Vet Rec 105 (12), 273-276 PubMed.
• Rogers P A (1978) Veterinary acupuncture. Vet Rec 102 (17), 387 PubMed.
• Altman S (1977) Acupuncture - taking a closer look. Mod Vet Pract 58 (12), 1003-1006 PubMed.
• Freeman A (1974) Veterinary acupuncture. J Am Vet Med Assoc 164 (5), 446-448 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Schoen & Wynn (1997)Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine.Mosby.
• Schoen A (1994)Veterinary Acupuncture. Ancient Art to Modern Medicine.Mosby.
• Maciocia G (1989)The Foundations of Chinese Medicine.Churchill Livingstone.
• Kaputchuk T J (1983)Chinese Medicine - The Web That Has No Weaver.Rider.

Organisation(s)

• The Secretary,The Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists (ABVA), East Park Cottage, Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6BD, UK.