"It does not matter whether medicine is old or new,  so long as it can cure"

VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE 

Monroe Family Pet Hospital is pleased to offer Veterinary Acupuncture performed by Dr. Matthew J. Heller.  Dr. Heller completed his studies at the Chi-Institute to become a certified veterinary acupuncturist.  Dr. Heller has treated many patients with acupuncture and holistic medicine.  The pets who received acupuncture have had their medical conditions improve, sometimes with dramatic results.

	Dr. Heller performing acupuncture on Cocoa, an orphaned pet at PAWS Animal Shelter.  Cocoa suffers from arthritis and back pain.  Her mobility has greatly increased throughout the course of her acupuncture treatments.
	Tinkerbell's mommy helps to comfort her during her treatment.

What is Acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is part of an ancient Chinese method of diagnosis and treatment called Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).  TCVM is a holistic approach that considers the pet as a whole…body, mind, spirit, diet and environment.  In holistic medicine, disease is the result of an imbalance of the energy flow of the body.  Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy by redirecting its flow and, thereby, assisting the body to heal.  It is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve function. 

In medical terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes like increasing blood circulation, releasing hormones and neurotransmitters (endorphins, cortical), regulating the endocrine system, relieving muscle spasm, stimulating the immune system, etc.  Substances released as the result of acupuncture not only relax the whole body, they regulate serotonin in the brain which plays a role in human and animal disposition.

What conditions does it treat?

General conditions that might be treated with acupuncture are:

Is acupuncture painful?

While pets cannot tell us when they hurt, most pets respond well to acupuncture.  Most pets become very relaxed and even sleepy.  Even nervous pets will do surprisingly well, with a little patience.  People who have received acupuncture treatments often comment that the insertion of tiny needles is virtually painless. 

Is it safe for animals?

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment when it is administered properly.  As with most forms of treatment, side effects are rare, but do exist.  An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment, other animals may become lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture.  These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing and they are most often followed by an improvement in the pet’s condition. 

How long do acupuncture treatments take and how often are they given?

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist.  Stimulation of individual points typically takes around 20 minutes.  To enhance the simulation of a point, electro-acupuncture is utilized.  During electro-acupuncture, the needles are attached to a machine which provides low doses of voltage to maximize the stimulation of the needles. 

A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several treatments. Positive results are generally seen within the first few sessions. 

When multiple treatments are necessary they usually begin intensively and are tapered to maximum efficiency.  Usually, pets will show some improvement within 3-5 treatments and be maintained with therapy on a less frequent basis after that.  It is typically not possible to correct chronic problems with only 1-2 treatments.  Once stabilized, balanced or improved, many pets with chronic conditions are effectively on just a few acupuncture treatments per year. 

How do I schedule my pet for acupuncture?

Our initial meeting may take around 45 minutes to one hour and subsequent visits usually last around 30 minutes.