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Acupuncture at Easton Animal Hospital 

Definition of Health

Health can be defined as the balance in an individual's body as well as the balance between body and mind and between the individual and their environment.

01

What is Acupuncture?

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) has four main components: acupuncture, herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (medical manipulation). Acupuncture usually involves the insertion of thin sterile needles into discrete and specific points on the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect, but may include other methods such as electrical stimulation and moxibustion. The point on the body is called "Shu-xue" or acupuncture point (acupoint). The ancient Chinese discovered 361 acupoints in humans and 173 acupoints in animals.

02

What is the history of acupuncture? 

Acupuncture has been practiced in both animals and humans for thousands of years in China. The earliest veterinary acupuncture book, “Bo Le Zhen Jing” (Bole’s Canon of Veterinary Acupuncture), is believed to have been Witten by Dr. Bo Le in the Quin-,u-gong period (659 B.C.E. to 621 B.C.E.) 

03

Is there an scientific evidence on how acupuncture works? 

Modern research shows that acupoints are located in areas where there is a high density of free nerve endings, mast cells, small arterioles, and lymphatic vessels. Most acupoints are motor points. A great number of studies indicate that the stimulation of acupoints induces the release of beta-endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters. The US National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (pubmed.gov) has a total of 25,764 research papers regarding acupuncture and 404 animal specific articles as of February 2017. 

04

Is Acupuncture Safe? 

Yes! Acupuncture is a very safe medical procedure when administered by a qualified practitioner. Very few negative effects have been found in clinical cases. 

05

How long does each treatment take? 

Each session may take 20 to 45 minutes; the first session usually take longer than follow-up appointments. 

06

How soon can we expect results?

Some results can be seen immediately but others will require several treatments. Generally a minimum of 3 to 5 treatments 1-2 weeks apart for chronic conditions are needed before on can expect notable improvement. 

07

How many treatments are needed? 

As in all medicine, this depends on the situation and treatments can be done daily, weekly or monthly, or even further apart depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition. 

08

Does acupuncture hurt? 

Rarely! Acupuncture is not painful because acupuncture points are stimulated using very fine needles, almost as thin as a hair. Over 95% of patients are comfortable with acupuncture therapy. Due to the relaxation effect, some animals will fall asleep during treatments. In general, sedation is not needed before the treatment. 

09

What is Qi? 

Qi (pronounce “Chee”) is life force or vital energy. There are two contrasting forms of Qi: Yin and Yang. Yin energy tends to be cool, dark, still, and moving downward, while Yang energy is warm, light, mobile, expanding, and moving upward. Physiologically, Qi flows throughout the body all the time, maintaining a balance of Yin and Yang. When the flow of Qi is interrupted by any pathological factor (such as a viral or bacterial infection), the balance of Yin and Yang will be disrupted and consequently, a disease may occur. Pain is interpreted as the blockage of Qi flow. Acupuncture stimulation resolves this blockage, freeing the flow of Qi and enabling the body to heal itself. Homeostasis is restored when Yin and Yang Qi are in balance. 

10

What is a Channel or Meridian? 

A Channel or Meridian is where Qi flows inside the body. There are 12 Regular Channels and 8 Extraordinary Channels. The most commonly used acupuncture points are located along these Channels. Each Regular Channel is related to specific paired organs. The network of Channels is called the Jing-Luo system. 

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2015 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA 18042
Tel:
(610) 252-8276

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© 2035 by Easton Animal Hospital

Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8:30am-8pm

Wed: 8:30-7pm

Fri: 8:30am-5pm

Closed weekends and all major holidays

Appointment Only

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