Acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, herbal remedies, laser therapy. Have you ever thought about alternative medical practices for your beloved pet? I can speak from experience, they are safe and effective options to traditional western medicine for some common ailments.
General conditions that may benefit from acupuncture are: Musculoskele- tal disorders such as arthritis, gastroin- testinal disorders, chronic urinary tract infections/kidney disease, neurologic disorders, respiratory disorders, skin disorders, chronic allergies, and treat- ments also decrease wound healing time.
Treatments vary depending upon your pet’s condition; with each acupuncture session lasting between 10-20 min- utes. Acupuncture is performed more frequently at first (once a week for a month is common) then depending on the ailment sessions may last lon- ger, or a maintenance routine may be set up to maintain your pet’s comfort. The goal of acupuncture is to promote the body to heal itself using the inser- tion of needles into specific points and at different depths to cause the desired healing affects. It encourages healing by correcting energy imbal- ances, stimulating neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin in the bloodstream, helping to reduce pain and provide relaxation, and it is a painless treatment.
Pets vary in their response to acu- puncture and treatments, some pets show sensitivity during the placement of needles -some points are more sensitive than others. Generally once the needles are placed your pet will become very relaxed and sleepy. Be sure to give your pet a lot of water after their treatment, and allow them to rest when they get home.
Chiropractic care for pets, who would have thought it possible? Chiropractic treatments are useful for treating bony issues like malalignments of the spine and dislocated joints. These adjustments allow the nerves to com- municate optimally with the brain and rest the body. When used in conjunction with acupuncture the treatment enhances your pet’s natural ability to heal, regulate and maintain itself, resulting in better overall health.
Laser (Light Amplification by Stimu- lated Emission by Radiation) Therapy is the use of low level infrared laser energy. It has a stimulating effect on tissues because it increases cellular energy and is absorbed to stimulate the metabolic processes. It has been used for over 30 years on humans and animals to reduce pain, promote faster healing, reduce inflammation, relax muscles & spasms, enhance the immune system, and increase mobility.
There are also options of herbal remedies you can use to treat your pet. Both Chinese and Western herbal formulas are safe and can be used to treat pets. If you’re interested in these alternative treatments as an option for your pet, be sure the veterinar-
ian you go to is certified in veterinary acupuncture and in veterinary Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture and Alternative Veterinarians in Rochester
Dr. Richard Mathis
Pumpkin Hill Veterinary Clinic Byron NY 14422
Dr. Kathleen Hall Suburban Animal Hospital Rochester, NY 14623
Dr. Kristin Browne
Thera-Vet Rehabilitation and Fitness Webster NY 14580
