Dry Needle Acupuncture
**Description:** The most common form of acupuncture, where fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points (acupoints) on the body to stimulate a healing response. The needles are left in place for 10-30 minutes.
“Each patient receives a customized treatment plan that may incorporate one or more of these techniques.
**Benefits:** It helps improve circulation, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing in various conditions such as arthritis, muscle spasms, and nerve issues.
**Effects:** Initially, the response lasts about 2-3 days but this is extended with consecutive treatments.
Electroacupuncture
**Description:** This involves attaching small electrodes to the needles and delivering gentle electrical currents between them. The frequency and intensity can be adjusted to suit the patient's needs. Typically applied for 10-20min.
**Benefits:** Enhances the effects of dry needle acupuncture, specifically increasing endorphin & serotonin release. It is particularly useful for conditions involving chronic pain, neurological issues, and paralysis. It stimulates nerves and muscles more intensely than traditional methods so not all patients will tolerate it.
**Effects:** Response lasts about 2-4 weeks. Some patients will be more sore with this treatment than dry needles alone.
Aqua Acupuncture
**Description:** In this method, a liquid such as saline or vitamin B12 is injected into acupuncture points. The liquid creates pressure, providing a prolonged stimulation at the acupoint.
**Benefits:** Ideal for animals that may not tolerate needles for extended periods. It's often used to treat musculoskeletal problems and conditions requiring longer stimulation.
**Effects:** Response lasts 5-7 days & improves the longevity of the acupuncture treatment.
Hemoacupuncture
**Description:** Specialized form of acupuncture that involves releasing a small amount of blood from specific acupuncture points or injecting a patient's own blood into an acupuncture point. The technique combines the principles of both acupuncture and bloodletting, aiming to stimulate a stronger healing response.
**Benefits:** Stimulates the point more intensely than dry needles by creating a release of stagnated or excess energy (referred to has "heat" or "blood stasis" in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Releases heat & can quickly bring down a fever or "cool" the body in conditions associated with excess heat such as skin disease & infections. Reduces inflammation & swelling in certain areas of the body. It helps in detoxifying the body by removing stagnant blood and improving the circulation of blood and energy (Qi). Can provide immediate pain relief, especially in cases where there is significant stagnation or blockage of energy in a specific area.
**Effects:** Reduction of heat/fever is usually seen within an hour. How long the effects last depend on the condition treated. May last a few days or a few weeks.
Laser Acupuncture
**Description:** A cold laser (low-level laser) is used to stimulate acupuncture points without the use of needles. The laser light promotes cellular healing and stimulates acupoints.
**Benefits:** Completely non-invasive and painless, making it an excellent option for animals sensitive to needles, or for areas of the body where traditional needle insertion is challenging.
**Effects:** Initially, the response lasts about 2-3 days but this is extended with consecutive treatments.
Moxibustion
**Description:** This involves burning dried mugwort (moxa) near the skin at acupuncture points to apply heat and stimulate circulation and healing.
**Benefits:** Often used to treat conditions related to cold, stagnation (pain), or weakness, such as arthritis or digestive disorders. It promotes circulation and can have a soothing, warming effect on the patient.
**Effects:** Often results in immediate relief of pain & can last for several days or several weeks. We often recommend owners perform treatments at home in between acupuncture sessions for chronic pain conditions.
Tui-na (Acupressure)
**Description:** A form of medical massage based on the principles of acupuncture where physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points instead of using needles.
**Benefits:** Helps improve circulation, reduce stress, and alleviate pain. It's a great alternative for animals who may not tolerate needles well and is often combined with other forms of treatment.
**Effects:** Response lasts 2-3 days. We often show owners how to do specific acupressure points so they can perform them daily at home for a longer lasting response.