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Table Mountain now offers acupuncture!
Dr. Blum completed his veterinary acupunture training in May 2007 through the Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course. The MAV course is sponosored by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Acupuncture is the insertion of small needles into specific points on the body to cause a desired healing effect. This technique has been used in veterinary practice for at least 3000 years to treat many ailments. Acupuncture is also used as preventive treatment against various acute and chronic conditions in animals. The American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery. Used either by itself, or in conjunction with Western medicine, veterinary acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. WHAT CONDITIONS RESPOND TO ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is mainly indicated for functional problems such as those that involve pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, arthritis, and paralysis. For small animals, the following are some of the conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:
Musculoskeletal and neurologic problems: Skin problems:
Arthritis and hip dysplasia Lick granuloma
Intervertebral disc disease Localized demodex mites
Nerve injuries, paralysis
Gastrointestinal problems: Urinary:
Diarrhea Urine spraying
Vomiting Urinary incontinence
2. HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
A healthy body is said to be in "homeostasis" or "balance". Illness and /or injury cause the body to become unbalanced. Acupuncture is a key therapy used to bring the body back into its proper homeostatic state and is known to affect all major physiological systems. It works primarily through the central nervous system affecting the musculoskeletal, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems. It does more than relieve pain. How it works depends on what condition one is treating and which points are utilized. Acupuncture increases circulation, causes a release of many neurochemicals, some of which are endorphins, the body's "natural pain-killing" chemicals, relieves muscle spasms, stimulates nerves, stimulates the body's defense systems, as well as numerous other beneficial effects.
3. IS ACUPUNCTURE PAINFUL? HOW WILL MY ANIMAL REACT?
For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. Once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy.
4. WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER A TREATMENT?
Since acupuncture stimulates many processes in your animal, often they may sleep the rest of the day and possibly be tired the next day. As a result, it is not recommended to have an acupuncture treatment prior to any known physical exertion (i.e.. hunting trips, field
trials, etc.). In addition, occasionally your pet may seem to be worse (especially when treating musculoskeletal pain) initially following a
treatment but this is short-lived and will not affect their progress.
5. IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
Acupuncture is performed with sterile, thin stainless steel needles. It is one of the safest therapies utilized if practiced by a competent acupuncturist. Side effects are rare. Because acupuncture balances the body's own system of healing and no chemicals are administered, complications rarely, if ever, develop.
6. HOW LONG DO ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS LAST AND HOW OFTEN ARE THEY GIVEN?
The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient. Treatments may last up to 30 minutes. There are many ways of stimulating acupuncture points, including needles, electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting a solution into a point), and moxibustion (heating the point). Typically, a dog or cat is treated once a week and a positive response is observed after the first to third treatments. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, while more chronic conditions may need 3-6 treatments to obtain a maximum response. Treatments for chronic conditions can often be tapered off to 2-4 treatments per year.
Times and pricing:
Initial treatment (30-45min): $92.50
Follow-up treatments (20-30min): $61.50
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