Long Island Veterinary Acupuncture
What is Veterinary Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a healing art that originated in China over 4,000 years ago. It is the practice of using needles to stimulate specific points on the body to manipulate the energy force (Qi), which runs through the body. If the flow of Qi in the body is insufficient, unbalanced, or obstructed then disease results. Qi travels in channels in the body. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the channels come to the surface of the skin and are easily accessible. By needling specific points, balance can be restored to the body and allow it to heal itself. Acupuncture can be used to treat specific symptoms while also working on the root of the disease.
What conditions respond to acupuncture?
In veterinary medicine, acupuncture has been used as a successful complementary treatment for:
Pain control
Musculoskeletal disease
Neurologic disease
Gastrointestinal disorders
Skin disorders
Behavioral problems
Cardiovascular and Respiratory disease
Urogenital disease
Immune Stimulation
Is acupuncture painful for my pet?
Acupuncture is performed with sterilized thin, filamentous stainless steel needles. It is not painful and your pet may only feel the needle as it goes through the skin for a second, if at all. Many animals relax and may even fall asleep with their needles in place.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is one of the safest therapies available when practiced by a competent veterinary acupuncturist. Side effects are rare.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a natural alternative therapy that enlists the body's healing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and manage disease processes. Unlike with medications, side effects are rare. Acupuncture can be used to treat ongoing symptoms while also working at the root of disease.
The main disadvantage of acupuncture is a misunderstanding of what to expect from its use: the belief that the pet will miraculously improve, that all conditions can be treated with acupuncture, and that the animal will only need one treatment. Though I have seen pets have amazing responses to acupuncture, generally a course of treatment is needed.
How often and for how long will treatments take?
The response to acupuncture is individual and the effects are often cumulative. Usually a course of acupuncture over a period of weeks is generally recommended. Dr. Malik will customize the treatment schedule based on your pet's needs.
Individual needles may stay in place for as little as a few seconds to as long as 30 minutes depending on the condition being treated. On average, needles are retained in place for about 15-20 minutes. There are many ways of stimulating an acupuncture point including with heat, electrical stimulation, injection of solutions, and infrared light therapy.
Typically animals are treated once a week for 6-8 weeks. However, the frequency may be increased in certain acute conditions or spread out to longer intervals in chronic cases.
What does Dr. Malik need to know about my pet?
Before performing acupuncture on your pet, Dr. Malik will need to know history details such as:
- A complete dietary history and medication list
- Usual activity level during the day and night
- A complete medical history of allergies, major surgeries, illnesses requiring hospitalization, and traumatic incidents
- Any history of seizures or severe heart disease
- If your pet has or has had cancer in the past
- Changes in your pet's health after all acupuncture treatments
