Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy that is only one part of a more comprehensive, 4000 year old, Chinese medical system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture treats disease by placing needles (or other stimuli) into specific acupuncture points in order to remove energy blocks and in so doing rebalances the energy (Chi) in the body. The removal of these blocks allows the energy to flow in a more balanced manner down energy path ways known as meridians.

The western medical perspective of acupuncture believes that acupuncture needles, when inserted into acupuncture points, stimulate the body's neuro-endocrine system to produce natural, narcotic, pain killers, known as "endorphins". These endorphins are many times more potent than morphine.

Most of the time, acupuncture is relatively painless. However, certain points are more sensitive than others. Certain patients, like many cats, have a lower tolerance for needle acupuncture. A form of acupuncture called acupressure can be performed by the pet's guardian, at home, after having been shown the location of the points and the proper way to apply manual pressure at these points.

Acupuncture has been used to successfully treat a large number of diseases including: arthritis, seizures, inflammatory bowel disease, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney disease, lick granulomas, inappropriate urination, incontinence, constipation, megacolon and anesthetic emergencies to name just a few.

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