Alternative therapies are becoming more and more commonplace in Western society as people turn to everything from essential oil use to traditional Chinese herbs to cure or alleviate a variety of ailments. This focus on natural or alternative healing methods has extended to our pets as well, and today many veterinary practices offer alternative therapies alongside traditional medicine.
Union Lake Veterinary Hospital regularly provides alternative therapies for pets, including chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, hydrotherapy, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM), and many more. Our very own Dr. Liba will soon be receiving her acupuncture certification, and we are excited to share with our readers the many benefits of acupuncture for pets.
Veterinary Acupuncture 101
Veterinary acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, and involves the strategic placement of thin needles on specific points of the body, with the goal of stimulating the area to achieve a desired effect. These specific points, also called acupuncture points, are located throughout the surface of the body where nerve bundles and blood vessels come together. These points are recognized as energy channels, or meridians, that affect the body’s daily cycle of energy.
The Benefits of Acupuncture for Pets
Veterinary acupuncture, like other alternative therapies, can be used alone or in combination with traditional medicine. Acupuncture in pets can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with a variety of health concerns, including arthritis, injuries, allergies, pain, and more.
Acupuncture works by:
- Stimulating the release of the body’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving chemicals
- Improving blood flow and oxygenation
- Aiding in removal of metabolic wastes
- Stimulation of the immune system
- Relaxation of the muscles at the site of insertion and other places throughout the body
A Spotlight on Dr. Liba
We are thrilled to announce upcoming veterinary acupuncture services here at ULVH! Dr. Lauren Liba, who has been a practicing veterinarian since 2004, has worked hard to complete her acupuncture training and is due to receive her certification this spring. We look forward to offering her acupuncture services in the near future.
If you have any further questions about acupuncture for pets, and how this or any of the other alternative therapies we offer could benefit your pet, please don’t hesitate to contact the friendly staff at ULVH.