How does it work?
Acupuncture is based on the
natural laws of energy (qi) and works to maintain or regain
health. When energy imbalances
happen as a result of simple or
traumatic stresses in life, be they internal or external, emotional,
mental or physical/biological, they
can manifest at first as mild
symptoms and eventually turn into disease. Acupuncture helps
restore and balance the energy.
Will it hurt? What risks are there?
Needles are disposable, slightly
thicker than a human hair and solid (not hollow and thick like a
syringe). They
are inserted just beneath the skin
surface and in humans they cause sensations most often likened to a dull
momentary ache
or tingling.
Treatment must be based on the
individual, since their underlying nature and the origin of issues
differs. Similarly,
individual's treatment response
varies and not everyone responds to acupuncture. Some
animals "object" to treatment
yet tolerate it, many become very
still during and clearly are appreciative after. Animals tend
to have a
clearer overall response (or not),
immediately or within a few weeks, than people do (I believe that's
because they have
better sleep, eating and exercise
habits than people do). If a client does not take well to
acupuncture, we will discuss
other treatment options.
It's generally accepted that
acupuncture is non-toxic and has minimal side effects. The World Health
Organization notes
that acupuncture in humans may be a
complementary therapy or even preferable to some conventional treatments
because of it's
simplicity, convenience, and lack of
serious side effects.
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/s4926e/s4926e.pdf
What are treatments like?
- The first session (which for animals must be within 14 days of seeing a vet) includes:
- a review of your concerns and expectations
- a summary of the animal's history (including social, environment)
- a brief physical exam
- a clearing treatment, which typically relaxes and eases stress
- Subsequent treatments as desired
- based on client response
- at first weekly (or semi-weekly depending on the severity of the condition)
- time between lengthens as effects hold
