Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is gaining wider usage in Western veterinary and human medicine. This complimentary medical therapy consists of placing very thin sterile needles into acupuncture points along the different meridians on the body.
Acupuncture points are related to bundles of veins, arteries and nerves that exit the body to surface on the skin. Most acupuncture points are associated with one of these bundles. Channels or meridians are chains of acupuncture points that travel across the body, originally following vascular pathways. When stimulated by the introduction of a needle, chemical and electrical energy in the body is altered; this energy is called Qi (chi) in TCM. Western medicine might refer to this energy as release of neuro-chemical transmitters and associated substances.
The most common usage of acupuncture is in the area of musculoskeletal pain, (arthritis) management. It may also be used to help other conditions involving the organs, hormonal system, and the immune system.
Treatments may vary in length as well as in distribution of needles on the body. Generally, a series of 5 sessions one to three times weekly are recommended to start. As in human acupuncture, some animals are more to sensitive to and get better results then others. A series of appointments help to determine if your pet will benefit from this modality. The initial visit including consultation is typically 45 minutes, and follow up sessions 20 minutes. 
Dr. Elisabeth Lynch completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) certified acupuncture course at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and is currently working on her IVAS certification.
If you would like more information, or are interested in pursing acupuncture for your pet, please call us today. You will need to fill out our acupuncture questionnaire before the initial visit. This can be found in the forms section of this website, or call the office to have it faxed or mailed. Please bring the completed questionnaire to your first session.